University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., issued the following statement today (Sept. 23) regarding the appointment of Dr. Joseph I. Castro as the California State University system’s next chancellor:
On behalf of the entire University of California community, I am delighted to congratulate Dr. Joseph I. Castro on his appointment as CSU’s next chancellor. Great things are in store for CSU students, the CSU community and higher education in California under Joe’s leadership. I’ve known and worked with Joe for a quarter century and look forward to partnering with him in the coming years to advance higher education in our state.
Joe’s distinguished career, including more than two decades at UC, reflects his commitment to serving students of diverse backgrounds. He will be the first Mexican American and first California native to lead CSU. As the grandson of immigrants, son of a single mother and the first in his family to graduate from college, Joe has a particularly keen understanding of the challenges California students face and the transformative power of education.
I also want to thank and congratulate my dear friend and colleague, outgoing CSU Chancellor Timothy White, for his tremendous leadership. I know CSU would not be where it is today without Tim’s incredible commitment on behalf of CSU and California at large.