When Spagna arrived on campus last August, Cal Poly Humboldt faced significant challenges. "There was a real need to restore trust, rebuild relationships, not just internal to the University, but with the external community as well," Spagna explained, drawing on 35 years of higher education experience to guide the institution through this critical period.
Spagna brought unique qualifications to this interim role, including seven years as a provost and nine years as dean of education at California State University (CSU), Northridge, as well as experience as a middle school teacher—a background that shaped his student-centered leadership philosophy. "Once students come in, they're your responsibility. If one student leaves the university early, we're all diminished by it," Spagna emphasized, carrying this conviction from the classroom to the president's office.
The results of Spagna's leadership speak volumes about his effectiveness during this transition year. While many CSUs face enrollment challenges, Cal Poly Humboldt achieved a remarkable 4% increase in enrollment—a testament to strategic initiatives implemented under Spagna's guidance.
"I was very blessed to have a pretty exceptional leadership team on the campus, phenomenal faculty and staff, and most importantly, students who wanted to have a wonderful experience," Spagna noted, crediting collaborative leadership for the University's success.
Key innovations launched during Spagna's tenure include the groundbreaking direct admissions program, which allows students to receive unsolicited acceptance emails, and the Green & Gold Guarantee, ensuring tuition-free education for qualifying students. These accessibility initiatives reflect Spagna's commitment to removing barriers for students.
Perhaps most significantly, Spagna oversaw the continuation of Cal Poly Humboldt's unprecedented transformation from Humboldt State University to the third polytechnic in the CSU. "The unique part of what's happened, and I have not experienced this in my 35 years, is a conversion into a completely new brand of university," Spagna reflected.
Over the past three years, the University has launched 13 new polytechnic degree programs, with five more slated to launch in 2026 and even more in-demand majors by 2029. Spagna particularly emphasized maintaining the humanities and arts as "core and foundational to any college education," especially within a polytechnic framework.
The opening of the Hinarr Hu Moulik student housing complex, featuring more than 600 beds with an 85% occupancy rate, and the addition of more than 300 beds set to open next year, represent the largest housing project in the University's and the community's history.
In selecting Carvajal, Spagna underscored the need for stability. He recalled his time at Cal State Dominguez Hills, which had seen six provosts in eight years, and noted that Carvajal’s previous campus had cycled through six presidents during the same period. Both, he said, recognize the value of consistent leadership.
"I am completely confident he will bring a level of stability and longevity to this university," Spagna stated, noting Carvajal's nine-year tenure at Valdosta State University as evidence of his commitment to sustained leadership.
Spagna's advice to the incoming president reflects his own successful approach: "It all starts with students—leaning in, being with students, understanding what their needs are, what their thinking is, what their passion is."
This philosophy, combined with a focus on faculty and staff, has been a central part of the University's values.
As Spagna prepares to conclude his interim presidency, he leaves behind a university positioned for extraordinary growth. The ambitious goal of doubling enrollment to 12,000 students by 2035, the partnership with the College of the Redwoods through the Healthcare Education Hub, and the University's renewed community relationships all reflect the foundation he has strengthened during his tenure.
"I couldn't be more delighted that we have him," Spagna said of Carvajal, confident that his year of rebuilding trust and relationships has prepared Cal Poly Humboldt for its next chapter of growth and success.
The transition represents not just a change in leadership but the completion of a remarkable transformation guided by an educator whose 35-year career culminated in one transformative year that repositioned Cal Poly Humboldt as a rising star in the California State University system.