College of California president to step down after 5 years marked by pandemic, campus protests

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The president of the College of California introduced Wednesday he would step down after 5 years of main one of many nation’s largest public college programs by way of the coronavirus pandemic, labor strikes and campus protests.

Michael V. Drake, the primary Black individual to serve within the position within the system’s greater than 150-year historical past, stated he would step down on the finish of the 2024-2025 faculty yr. He known as serving within the publish “the consideration of a lifetime.”

“I’m immensely pleased with what the UC group has completed,” Drake stated in an announcement. “At each flip, I’ve sought to take heed to these I served, to uphold our shared UC values, and to do all I might to depart this establishment in higher form than it was earlier than. I’m proud to see the College persevering with to make a constructive influence on the lives of numerous Californians by way of analysis, educating, and public service.”

Drake started the position in July 2020, simply months after the pandemic started and as racial justice protests had erupted throughout the nation within the aftermath of the homicide of George Floyd. Within the years since, the college system has seen different high-profile demonstrations, together with in 2022 when 1000’s of graduate scholar employees went on strike for increased pay and earlier this yr when college students arrange encampments to protest the warfare in Gaza.

As president, Drake secured a finances improve from the state of 5% yearly over 5 years to assist the college system improve enrollment and make its faculties extra accessible to underrepresented college students. He helped create plans to cut back tuition fee will increase and provide free tuition for Native American college students who’re residents of federally acknowledged tribes.

The College of California enrolls practically 300,000 college students and is the second-largest college system within the state behind California State College, which enrolls greater than 450,000 college students yearly.

Earlier than he grew to become president, Drake spent a long time working in increased schooling, the place he served as chancellor of the College of California, Irvine; led The Ohio State College; and chaired the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation. He’s a doctor who educated on the College of California, San Francisco, earlier than changing into a professor of ophthalmology on the college’s faculty of medication.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom lauded Drake’s tenure as president, saying he “has led with grace and imaginative and prescient.”

“On behalf of all Californians, I thank President Drake for his management, for rising our UC system, and for paving a brighter path ahead for our state,” Newsom stated in an announcement. “His legacy of service in increased schooling has undoubtedly helped us develop the following technology of extraordinary California leaders, and it’s been an honor to work alongside him.”