Dr. William Covino, Director

President, California State University, Los Angeles

William Covino was appointed as president of Cal State L.A. by the CSU Board of Trustees in 2013. First in his family to earn a college degree, Covino is deeply committed to providing opportunities for students to achieve academic, personal, and professional success, and helping them to develop a high regard for the intellectual and cultural diversity that distinguishes Cal State L.A. and its surrounding community.

Prior to his appointment at CSULA, Covino served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fresno State since 2009. In addition to his leadership of the university’s eight schools and colleges and oversight of academic goals and educational policy, Covino provided ongoing leadership for the Campaign for Fresno State, the university’s fundraising campaign which has raised in excess of $214 million.

Previous to his position at Fresno State, Covino held leadership positions at CSU Stanislaus and Florida Atlantic University. He also has held faculty positions at the University of Illinois at Chicago and San Diego State University.

Covino earned his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds M.A. degrees from CSU Northridge and the University of Southern California and earned a Ph.D. in English from USC in 1981.