Dr. Donald J. Para, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at California State University, Long Beach, has been appointed as the university’s interim president.

During his 26 years at CSULB, Para has served in several leadership positions including interim provost, associate dean and dean of the College of the Arts. In his current role as the chief academic officer of CSULB, Para provides academic leadership for the university and promotes excellence in all aspects of the university’s academic mission, including undergraduate and graduate education, research and creative activity, international education, service learning, community engagement, service to the profession and faculty and staff development.

Prior to his appointments at CSULB, Para served as chair of the Department of Music at Cal State L.A. He was previously a member of the faculty with teaching areas including music theory, musicianship and composition at his alma mater, Western Michigan where he earned a B.M. in Music Education and a M.M. in Music Composition. He earned a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Michigan State University. Para’s appointment becomes effective July 1, 2013.

In March, F. King Alexander announced that he would be stepping down from his position as president of CSULB to accept the position as president of Louisiana State University. CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White and the CSU Board of Trustees will soon commence a national search for the next campus president.