Leslie Wong

Leslie Eric Wong (born 1949)[1] is an American academic, university administrator, and psychology professor. He was President of Northern Michigan University and San Francisco State University. Effective July 1st, 2023, he became the interim President of Connecticut College.

Leslie Wong
Leslie Wong (2012)
Interim President of Connecticut College
Assumed office
July 1, 2023
Preceded byKatherine Bergeron
13th President of San Francisco State University
In office
August 1, 2012 – July 1, 2019
Preceded byRobert A. Corrigan
Succeeded byLynn Mahoney
President of Northern Michigan University
In office
2004–2012
Preceded byMichael J. Roy (interim)
Succeeded byDavid S. Haynes (interim)
Personal details
SpousePhyllis Wong
Alma materGonzaga University,
Eastern Washington University,
Washington State University
OccupationUniversity president, academic, administrator, psychology professor

Personal and educational background

Wong is of Chinese and Mexican descent.[2] After graduating from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California, Wong received his B.A. from Gonzaga University in 1972, his master's degree in experimental psychology from Eastern Washington University in 1974, and his doctoral degree in educational psychology from Washington State University in 1986.[1]

Career

From 1974 to 1988, Wong taught psychology at Pierce College, a community college in Tacoma, Washington.[3] Wong was also women's varsity tennis coach at Pierce from 1975 to 1981.[4] Wong later was a psychology professor at The Evergreen State College from 1988 to 1996 and was a dean at the college from 1990 to 1996.[4]

Wong joined the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University Pueblo) as provost and academic vice president in 1996 and was interim president of the university from January to June 30, 1997.[3] Wong returned to his previous provost position and stayed until 1999.[4] From 1999 to 2004, Wong was vice president for academic affairs at Valley City State University in North Dakota.[4]

From 2004 to 2012, Wong served as president of Northern Michigan University.[5]

Wong was named by the California State University Board of Trustees as the 13th president of San Francisco State University on May 10, 2012, and began his new position as president on August 1.[5] Dr. Wong announced on October 1, 2018, that he would retire on July 1, 2019.[6]

In 2017 Wong was accused of permitting the exclusion of Jewish student pro-Israel activists from campus activities.[7] Although San Francisco State blamed a "self-organized and self-appointed planning committee", a lawsuit alleged that university administration was complicit.[7][8] Wong said: "Am I comfortable opening up the gates to everyone? Gosh, of course not.”[8] In 2019 the university reversed its anti-Israel policy, and Wong apologized, stating that "Zionists are welcome on our campus."[9]

In 2023, he was selected to be the interim president of Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.[10]

Personal life

Wong is married to Phyllis Wong.

References
  1. Wong, Leslie E. (1986). Syntactical measures of cognitive complexity with written samples varying in cultural theme (Ph.D.). Washington State University.
  2. Asimov, Nanette (May 11, 2012). "Leslie Wong is named president of S.F. State". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  3. "Leslie E. Wong". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  4. "California State University President Bios: Dr. Leslie E. Wong". Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  5. "CSU Trustees Appoint Leslie E. Wong as President of SF State". San Francisco State University. May 10, 2012. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  6. "San Francisco State President Leslie E. Wong to Retire | SF State News". news.sfsu.edu. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  7. Pine, Daniel (4 August 2017). "Investigation: SF Hillel 'improperly excluded' from student fair". Jewish News of Northern California. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. Marks, Jonathan (March 22, 2019). "A Reluctant Campus Acknowledges Zionism". Commentary Magazine. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  9. Waxman, Laura (27 February 2018). "SF State president apologizes for comments about Zionists". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. "Interim President". Connecticut College. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
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