There’s finally a new president at Sangamon State University, a school which went without a permanent president for over a year.

Naomi Lynn, dean of the College of Public and Urban Affairs at Georgia State University, Atlanta, was approved by the Board of Regents at its June 20 meeting.

Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves said Lynn’s term will begin July 15 and she will earn $104,000 per year.

Lynn has a degree in public affairs administration and political science, she said.

“My ultimate goal is to strengthen SSU and give the best education we can to the students,” she said.

Lynn said because of all the budget cuts, “it’s a difficult time in higher education throughout the nation.”

“It’s a challenge for everyone who cares about education,” she said.

Although SSU remained without a president for a year, Lynn said “we’re moving toward a more positive period for SSU.”

Lynn is the second female president at SSU and the first of Hispanic descent.

SSU’s former president Durward Long resigned in September 1990 after a seven-year term. Four other finalists had been considered for the SSU presidency.

The Regents governs NIU, Illinois State University and SSU.