The California State University Board of Trustees has named Dr. William A. Covino, provost and vice president for academic affairs of California State University, Fresno, as president of California State University, Los Angeles.

“I am honored to join a university as outstanding as Cal State L.A. and look forward to engaging with students, faculty, alumni and the community to build on its strengths and create opportunities for the future,” said Covino. “The university is uniquely positioned in a global center for the arts, technology and the economy and it boasts a student population as diverse as the city it serves. Cal State L.A. truly reflects the changing face of California in the 21st century.”

Covino was among the finalists for the position to succeed retiring President James M. Rosser who has served as CSULA president since 1979. He is expected to begin his new position as president on September 1, 2013.

“Dr. Covino’s leadership at the CSU and his knowledge and experience in public higher education make him a tremendous asset to Cal State L.A. and the community,” said CSU Trustee Lou Monville, chair of the presidential search committee. “His academic credentials and his commitment to diversity complement the university’s mission to prepare students for our changing global society.”

Covino has 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.

Prior to his position at Fresno State, Covino held the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at CSU Stanislaus from 2006-2009. He returned to the CSU following eight years at Florida Atlantic University, where he chaired the Department of English and was Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. 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.