Former president of The Ohio State University (OSU) and chancellor of UC Irvine, Dr. Michael V. Drake has been appointed as the president of The University of California by UC’s Board of Regents, becoming the first black president in 152-years.
What We Know:
- On Tuesday, it was announced that Dr. Michael V. Drake has been chosen as president of the University of California by the university’s board of regents, making Drake the first Black president in the systems 152-year-history.
- Drake will take the place of the current UC president Janet Napolitano, who was UC system’s first female president who announced last fall that she planned to step down this August.
- “Stepping down as president of the University of California is bittersweet, especially after seven wonderful, dynamic years, but I depart knowing Dr. Michael Drake will lead with experience and integrity, with the critical support and guidance of the UC Board of Regents,” Napolitano said. “Michael has my full confidence, and I am excited to see how his fresh infusion of ideas and new perspectives will shape the University in the months and years ahead.”
- The announcement was made by the UC Board of Regents and comes just a week after Drake’s retirement as president at Ohio State University, where he made “access and affordability” a focus of his presidency.
- Drake also enhanced UC Irvine’s reputation as a premier university, which joined the top 10 public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list and was ranked by Times Higher Education as the NO. 1 University in the U.S. under 50-years-old.
- “UC faculty, staff and students repeatedly told us they want a president who will prioritize issues of equity and fairness and be a powerful advocate at the state and national level,” Regent Gareth Elliott, chair of the Special Committee in charge of the presidential search, said. “When we needed the right person to steward UC’s global reputation, it turns out we didn’t have to look too far from home. I am very proud of this thorough and inclusive search, and I’m delighted it resulted in such a great match with Dr. Drake.”
Drake’s salary of $890,000 was approved by the board and pending an academic personnel review. Drake will be appointed as a tenured professor at UCSF.
