California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) President Joseph Sheley announced today his plans to retire on July 1, 2016.
“My decision is not complicated,” he wrote in a letter emailed to the campus community. “In life and career, there comes a time to listen a bit more to head and a bit less to heart. That time has come.”
Sheley shared with The Signal that this decision is one that he has been thinking about for some time. 
“You want to do the best to not have the community see you as transitional for as long as you can,” Sheley said. “In any leadership role you want to limit the time of transition so that people see you as completely engaged and don’t assume that you won’t be. I will be completely engaged.”
Sheley was appointed president of Stan State in June 2012. Under his leadership, the university has thrived both locally and nationally.
“The CSU is indebted to Joe Sheley for his two decades of leadership, the last four as President of CSU Stanislaus,” CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White said in a statement released today. “President Sheley elevated the profile of the university and established CSU Stanislaus as an integral force within the region, stimulating economic and bolstering college attendance and completion rates.”
Since his interview with The Signal in 2012 upon being named president, it has been evident that Sheley cared for the well-being of the entire campus community by emphasizing consultation, transparency and a shared commitment to change – something that did not go unnoticed by those working under him.
“He really healed a lot of wounds,” Communication Studies professor and Director of Student Media Dr. John Sumser said. “I think he’ll be missed for that, so I think it’s going to be really important who replaces him (…) He’s an example of what a president on campus should be. He’s strong and he knows how to deal with people on a civil basis and he shows respect. I’m disappointed and sad to see that he’s going.”
Sheley’s respect for the faculty and staff, as well as students, at Stan State is evident through his demeanor. According to the statement released by the CSU Chancellor’s office, he has been known to encourage professors to adopt a student, saying that the bonds that may be formed over coffee or lunch can change lives. His compassion and ability to bring healing to the campus is something that will surely be missed.
“As our former president left and he [Sheley] came on board (…) I was really impressed with him,” Interim Dean of the College of Science Dr. Mark A. Grobner said. “He’s done so much and there has been so much healing that’s been going on over the few years that he’s been here. I’m worried about what’s going to happen when he leaves because of that.”
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. James Strong is also grateful for Sheley’s dedication to the campus and wishes him the best.
“He [Sheley] has been a leader in higher education for 47 years and that is a long career of dedicated service. I am sad that Stanislaus State will be losing an important leader,” Strong said. “President Sheley came to the campus during a difficult period when various stakeholders were not working together as well as the university required. Under his leadership that situation improved dramatically and some tangible examples are the recent accolades in which the university has been recognized nationally with MIT, Stanford and Harvard.”
Stan State students also shared the positive impact that President Sheley had on them.
“I will be very sad to see President Sheley leave but I am very moved by the legacy he will leave with us,” ASI President Nicole Larson (junior, Criminal Justice) said. “His true focus on the positive student experience will not be forgotten, and his optimism for our university’s great influence on the Central Valley will hopefully be carried on with our next leadership. I thank him for his great service here.”
In comments about his departure, the CSU Chancellor’s office noted that during Sheley’s tenure, Stan State gained national recognition for advancing economic mobility and outcomes for its graduates, many of whom are first-generation college students. The university was also ranked as the number one public university in the nation for helping students exceed expectations by “Money” magazine.
“We advanced the level on consultation, sense of community, transparency, concern for health and safety. I know that this campus community wanted to do that,” Sheley told The Signal. “I’m proud of the level of campus community and engagement in just about every issue that we been partner with the community.” 
Sheley also strengthened the ties between Stan State and its surrounding community with the downtown opening of the Art Space on Main, as well as the organization of events to promote Turlock’s retail and restaurant trade with students. His efforts to increase college access for Central Valley residents came to life through the launch of the Stanislaus Education Partnership.
“The partnerships he has forged and fostered with the community and local school districts will provide the foundation for many generations of students to enjoy increased academic and personal success,” White said in the statement.
After retiring, Sheley will return to Sacramento to be with his daughter. He hopes to continue giving back to his community by developing a writing program for high school students.
“I hope to find a high school with students who want to learn to write better,” Sheley said. “I would love to go to a high school, say right after school and be there for student who really want to improve their writing. I’ll be glad to work with them because you know that’s a big thing, the goal would be to improve your writing to improve your opportunities in life. ”
A national search to select a new campus president will begin in the coming months. Stan State joins San Jose State University, California State University, Chico, California State University, Channel Islands and Sonoma State University as schools who are in the hunt for a new leader.
Sheley shared some words of wisdom for the future president of Stan State.
“This is a campus that has a lot of pride, has a lot of accomplishment, has a lot of potential and this is a community that everyday falls more in love with its university,” Sheley said. “Keep that going, it’s for everyone’s benefit to have a campus that is proud and has a community that is proud of it.”
Contributing reporters: A.J. Johnson, Ryan McLaughlin, Brittany Valadez