Michael V. Drake, the first Black president of the University of California, has announced he will step down at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Serving in the role since July 2020, Drake has led the university system through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, labor strikes, and campus protests. During his tenure, he secured a budget increase from the state, focusing on increasing enrollment and accessibility for underrepresented students. He also worked towards reducing tuition rate increases and offering free tuition for Native American students from federally recognized tribes.
Before becoming president, Drake had a long career in higher education, serving as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, and leading The Ohio State University. He is a physician who trained at the University of California, San Francisco, and has chaired the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Governor Gavin Newsom praised Drake for his leadership, saying he has led with grace and vision, helping grow the UC system and paving a brighter path forward for the state. The University of California, the second-largest university system in California, enrolls nearly 300,000 students annually. Drake’s legacy of service in higher education has been seen as instrumental in growing the next generation of California leaders.
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