Eastern Washington University announced this afternoon it has hired Mary Cullinan as its new president, effective Aug. 1.

Cullinan has served as president of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Ore., since 2006 and has 34 years of higher education experience, EWU said in a press release.

She replaces Rodolfo Arevalo, who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving as EWU president for eight years.

EWU Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Tanaka said in the release, “Her tremendous academic and leadership experience, along with her focus on student success, make her an ideal choice to serve as president of Eastern.”

Prior to leading Southern Oregon University, Cullinan served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Stephen F. Austin University, in Nacogdoches, Texas, for three years, preceded by a number of years in the California State University system.

Cullinan holds a master’s degree and doctorate in English literature from University of Wisconsin Madison and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Pennsylvania.