After making history as Chico State’s first female president, Dr. Gayle Hutchinson is breaking down even more boundaries.

The former Cal State Channel Islands provost is now the first openly gay college president in the California State University system.

“Behind every great man is an equally great woman. Well, behind this woman is a wonderfully great woman and she is my partner and her name is Linda Allen,” Hutchinson said at a Chico State reception on Wednesday.

The appointment of the former Chico kinesiology professor has already received praise from the Gender and Sexuality Equity Center for representation for women, but is now an important topic for gay rights.

“In terms of entirety, it is a good step in the right direction,” said GSEC trans coordinator Seve Christian. “It gives hope to students that they can achieve their goals.”

Hutchinson will officially take over the position of president in July.

Amelia Storm can be reached at [email protected] or @amelia__storm on Twitter.