For the second consecutive year, the Cal State Student Association has selected Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval as the recipient of the Robert C. Maxson President of the Year award, given annually by the association to one California State University campus president. The award will be presented at the next California State University Board of Trustees meeting later this month in Long Beach.
Established in 1958 to support students throughout the CSU system, the Cal State Student Association is a non-partisan, membership-based advocacy organization composed of representatives from each of the 23 CSU campuses. The President of the Year award is named after Robert C. Maxson, a former president of Long Beach State.
“CSSA is honored to recognize President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval for a second year,” said Krishan Malhotra, president of the Cal State Student Association. “President Jiménez-Sandoval has shown up for students since he became interim president and then permanent president. He finds time to connect with his ASI student leaders, students studying in the library and students walking around campus where he has a booth to literally meet students where they are. He uplifts our voice and supports us, even when we don’t agree. And he doesn’t just do that for students at Fresno State. He does it for all students. Speaking from experience, President Jiménez-Sandoval is one of a handful of presidents who checks in with CSSA to understand the perspective of CSU students on systemwide issues. Even when we may have differing perspectives, he is the first to say well said and well done.”
Jiménez-Sandoval was named Fresno State’s ninth president in 2021. He has been with Fresno State since he joined as a faculty member in 2000.
