“CSU is in my blood. I started when I was 24 as a student, and now I’m ending my retirement. It’s almost been 50 years,” said President Lynnette Zelezny.
From scrubbing pots as an undergrad student to being a university president, many events that conspired between Zelezny’s first and last job made her who she has become. Zelezny has been the president of California State University, Bakersfield since July 2018, and through thick and thin, she has remained committed to making the people around her better.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Zelezny always bounced around as a kid because her father was an aerospace engineer. Growing up, Zelezny wanted to be a mathematician because she said that math had always been something she was good at. Her love for math followed her to Humboldt State University where she originally majored in biology. She later switched her major to psychology after getting involved in a statistics course in the department. Zelezny was so good at the class that she became the teaching assistant.
Zelezny decided to get her first job on campus as a pot washer in university food service. Soon after, she was promoted to work on special events for the Humboldt State President.
After getting her bachelor’s and master’s in psychology from Humboldt State University, she went to Claremont Graduate University to get her Ph.D. in social psychology. While working as a professor at Fresno State, a mother of three, and a wife, Zelezny decided to get her Master’s in Business Administration.
When asked which college experience was her favorite she said, “I like learning and I’ve liked all of these experiences.”
Her presidency was full of listening and new learning experiences. As a first-time president at a university, Zelezny said the best advice she received in 2018 was to actively listen and be empathic about the people she serves, but also to keep moving forward.
Zelezny has shown what she is capable of through the tough times. The COVID-19 pandemic took everyone by storm, and when the campus shut down, it was tough for students, staff and faculty.
“She’s very calm in the storm. You never got a sense that she was panicked or uncertain, that she didn’t know what to do,’’ said Claudia Catota, chief diversity officer and special assistant to the president. Catota has seen Zelezny in many different situations and is constantly inspired by her leadership skills.
Zelezny has also inspired students around her. Graduate student Erin Pruitt, who has been working for President Zelezny for two years, finds it very easy to work with her.
“Her personality and the way she treats people has always been the same. Even with her retirement she still wants to meet new students and get to know new people on campus,” said Pruitt.
As Zelezny approaches the end of her presidency, looking back on what she has done for the campus brings her much joy. Some of her favorite memories were going abroad to co-teach in London, graduation ceremonies, and going to athletic events to cheer on all of our athletes. Life after presidency for Zelezny is full of mentoring women executives and writing.
“I’m celebrating because I’ve enjoyed it so much and I’m so proud of the thousands of students I’ve been able to touch over these many years,” said Zelezny.
