Sonoma State University

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Dear Sonoma State Community,

On Friday, we came together to mark the beginning of a new academic year and celebrate the community that makes Sonoma State such a special place.

At the Fall 2026 Kickoff, we also launched "Think Outside the Box," a new opportunity for our community to share ideas, aspirations, and possibilities for Sonoma State's future.

The idea is simple: great ideas can come from anywhere.

Our future will be shaped by the creativity, experience, perspectives, and commitment of people across our entire community. "Think Outside the Box" is one way to ensure their voices are heard, inviting all of us to imagine what is possible.

Throughout the morning, students, faculty, and staff added their ideas to our interactive installation. It was exciting to watch the installation begin to disappear beneath Post-it notes representing the hopes, ideas, and possibilities of our community.

But Friday's event was only the beginning.

Whether you joined us on Friday or weren't able to attend, I invite you to be part of the conversation. Visit Think Outside the Box to share what possibility excites you most for Sonoma State. Share one idea or several -- there are no limits outside the box.

In the weeks and months ahead, we'll continue sharing ideas and themes that emerge from the conversation and will look for opportunities to connect them with the work happening across the university.

Thank you for everything you do for our students, for one another, and for Sonoma State. I am excited about what lies ahead and the possibilities we will create together.

Let's keep thinking differently, imagining what's possible, and building our next chapter together.

Warmly,

Signature of Michael Spagna
Image removed.

Archive

Dear Seawolves,

The recent allegations regarding Cesar Chavez are deeply troubling and warrant every consideration, not only on behalf of those making these specific allegations but also out of respect and concern for every victim of sexual violence, abuse, harassment, and misconduct.

Good day Seawolves,

I join the Sonoma State community in mourning the passing of Marcus Ziemer, a legend in the North Bay soccer community and a coach for 36 years at SSU – including 35 seasons as head coach of our men’s soccer team, which he led to a NCAA Division II national championship in 2002.

Over the past year, the university convened an Athletics Consultation Task Force with the charge of exploring the future of athletics at Sonoma State University. Its work resulted in a white paper that recommended reinstating NCAA Division II competition. Moving in that direction, however, requires confidence that the program can be sustained through a sound financial model that supports its success long term.

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Sonoma State University is “reimagining” its future by developing new programs, revitalizing existing ones, and launching a fiscal feasibility study related to athletics, President Michael Spagna announced during a virtual media briefing Friday.

Spagna emphasized academic momentum, fiscal responsibility, and transparency as central to Sonoma State’s next chapter.

Michael E. Spagna, a longtime CSU administrator strongly committed to shared governance and student-centered outcomes, officially assumed the presidency of Sonoma State University today, becoming the 11th president in SSU’s 65-year history.

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Michael E. Spagna as president of Sonoma State University (SSU). Spagna currently serves as interim president of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.  

I hope everyone will join me in thanking the dozens of SSU staff, especially in Facilities Maintenance and Emergency Management, who worked around the clock Saturday through Sunday to remediate the campus water issue and ensure Sonoma State would be fully and safely operational  today.

Sonoma State University is fully committed to complying with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA). These laws are essential in addressing long-standing injustices and in supporting the sovereign rights of Tribal Nations.