Mary Papazian

Mary Papazian
Papazian attends a San Jose State basketball game at the Event Center Arena in 2016.
30th President of San Jose State University
Incumbent
Assumed office July 1, 2016
Preceded by	Susan Martin
11th President of Southern Connecticut State University
In office December 8, 2011 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Stanley F. Battle
Succeeded by	Joe Bertolino
Personal details
Born	Mary Ellen Arshagouni (1959-02-25) February 25, 1959 (age 58) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Education	Ph.D in English literature
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles

Mary Arshagouni Papazian (born February 25, 1959) is the current president of San Jose State University. She has had over 25 years of prior experience in academia, having been the past president of Southern Connecticut State University and the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lehman College.

Papazian was born Mary Ellen Arshagouni in Santa Monica, California on February 25, 1959. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Papazian attended Ferrahian High School, an Aremnian private school.

Papazian has a B.A. (1981), M.A. (1983), and Ph.D. (1988) in English literature from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Papazian started out as an assistant, associate and tenured professor of English at Oakland University. After her teaching career, she continued her work in education. From 1999 to 2004, Papazian was associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University in Michigan and was also executive director of the department of music, theater, and dance at Oakland from 2003 to 2004. Papazian then served as dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University in New Jersey from 2004 to 2007. Papazian was provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Lehman College, City University of New York from 2007 to 2011.

From December 8, 2011 to June 30, 2016, Papazian was president of Southern Connecticut State University.