Lynn Mahoney

Summary

Lynn Mahoney (born 1964) is an American university president, author, and social historian. Mahoney is the president of San Francisco State University (SFSU) since July 2019, and is the first woman to hold this role.[1][2][3] Her scholarly work has focused on United States history, women's history, feminism, race studies, and ethnicity.[4] She is the author of Elizabeth Stoddard and the Boundaries of Bourgeois Culture (2004, Routledge); a book about novelist and poet Elizabeth Stoddard.[5]

Lynn Mahoney
14th President of San Francisco State University
Assumed office
July 1, 2019
Preceded byLeslie Wong
Personal details
Born (1964-05-19) May 19, 1964 (age 59)
SpouseCharles Ponce de Leon
Children2
Alma materStanford University,
Rutgers University
OccupationUniversity president, administrator, author, social historian

Biography edit

Lynn Mahoney was born on May 19, 1964, in the United States.[6] She attended Stanford University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree (1986) in American studies; followed by studies at Rutgers University, graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (1999) in history.[7] She is married to history professor Charles Ponce de Leon,[8] together they have two children.

Prior to her role at SFSU, she previously worked at State University of New York at Purchase;[6][9] California State University, Long Beach (August 2008–2015); and California State University, Los Angeles (February 2015–2019) as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.[10]

San Francisco State University edit

In July 2019, Mahoney succeeded Leslie Wong, to serve as the 14th President of San Francisco State University and the first woman President.[1] During her tenure was the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a move towards online classes, budget shortfalls, and staff cuts.[11][12][13][14]

In September 2020, SFSU faculty Rabab Abdulhadi and Tomomi Kinukawa were hosting a virtual class lecture on Zoom (software) by Leila Khaled, a Palestinian political activist with a militant history, when the Zoom canceled the broadcast due to the company's support of a pro-Zionism stance.[15][16] The Leila Khaled event brought SFSU into a tense national news debate on the "boundaries and consequences of freedom of expression", and had Mahoney fielding questions about her support and/or lack of support for the Middle Eastern studies program.[17][18]

In April 2023, Turning Point USA an American conservative non-profit organization student chapter at SFSU hosted a Riley Gaines event where she spoke against the participation of trans women in women's sports.[19] After the event concluded, protesters arrived.[20] Mahoney publicly spoke out against the Gaines event and negative effect on the LGBTQ campus community.[21] Gaines claimed she was assaulted twice by a man after the event, and insisted that women need protection.[21][22]

Publications edit

  • Mahoney, Lynn (2004). Cain, Willam (ed.). Elizabeth Stoddard and the Boundaries of Bourgeois Culture. Studies in Major Literary Authors. New York City, NY: Routledge. ISBN 9781135883416.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "CSU appoints first woman president of San Francisco State University". ABC7 San Francisco. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  2. ^ "CSU Trustees Appoint Lynn Mahoney As First Woman President Of SFSU". SFGATE. Bay City News, Inc. May 22, 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  3. ^ Asimov, Nanette (2019-05-22). "After 120 years, San Francisco State hires its first female president". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  4. ^ Asimov, Nanette (2019-11-29). "SF State's new president: Lynn Mahoney makes peace on a fractured campus". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  5. ^ a b Harris, Jennifer (2007). "American Studies in Review, A Renaissance for Elizabeth Stoddard". Canadian Review of American Studies. 37 (2): 283–292. doi:10.3138/cras.37.2.283.
  6. ^ a b "Mahoney, Lynn, 1964-". LC Name Authority File (LCNAF). The Library of Congress.
  7. ^ Bravo, Ken (Winter 2021). "Personal History". SF State Magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  8. ^ Lerose, Robert (May 27, 2020). "Rising to the Challenge". Rutgers University Alumni Association. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  9. ^ Lombardi, Kate Stone (2007-02-11). "Off Campus and Off the College Security Radar?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  10. ^ "Cal State L.A. names Lynn Mahoney as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs". Cal State LA. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  11. ^ Walsh, Eli (2021-10-18). "SF, Marin Colleges And Universities To Keep Indoor Mask Requirements For Indoor Settings As Local Mandates Ease". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  12. ^ Walsh, Eli (2022-01-06). "SF State, Cal State East Bay To Start Spring Semester Virtually Amid Omicron Wave". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  13. ^ Pereira, Alyssa (2020-05-12). "CSU schools to keep campuses closed through fall semester, chancellor says". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  14. ^ Arredondo, Vanessa (2020-09-10). "SF State to lay off 131 staffers — but no faculty — after budget shortfall". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  15. ^ Flaherty, Colleen (2020-09-27). "Zoom refuses to stream university event featuring member of terrorist organization". Inside Higher Ed. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  16. ^ Egelko, Bob (2022-03-15). "Tensions over ethnic studies continue at S.F. State as president vetoes faculty decision siding with professor". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  17. ^ Mahoney, Lynn (2020-09-14). "S.F. State president: I condemn hate but cherish a diversity of opinions". J. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  18. ^ Hoffer, Shira (2021-07-21). "Safe and Free: Envisioning a New Guide for Speakers on Campus". Harvard Political Review. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  19. ^ Hernandez, Adriana (April 7, 2023). "Riley Gaines visit to SF State results in trans-rights activist protest". Golden Gate Xpress. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Regimbal, Alec (April 7, 2023). "Anti-Lia Thomas activist whisked away by police amid protest at San Francisco State". SFGATE. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "SFSU president says Riley Gaines event was 'deeply traumatic' for trans community". KRON4. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  22. ^ Chen, Natasha; Mossburg, Cheri (April 7, 2023). "Former college swimmer says she was assaulted at an event opposing the inclusion of trans women in women's sports". CNN. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023.

External links edit

  • Biography and profile at San Francisco State University
  • Sitdown with SFSU President Lynn Mahoney (interview from 2023)