University of California president to step down after 5-year term

University of California President Michael Drake announced Wednesday he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.  

Drake began his tenure in July 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic as the first Black president of one of the largest public university systems in the country. 

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as president of the University of California these past several years, and I am immensely proud of what the UC community has accomplished,” said Drake. “At every turn, I have sought to listen to those I served, to uphold our shared UC values, and to do all I could to leave this institution in better shape than it was before. I’m proud to see the University continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of countless Californians through research, teaching, and public service.” 

During his time as president, Drake had multiple accomplishments. He implemented the UC Native American Opportunity Plan, increased the number of students in the system, created a tuition stability plan and secured a five percent funding increase over five years.  

“Over the next year, we will continue the work that we have focused on during my tenure. That includes expanding student support and creating paths to a debt-free UC education, ensuring that more California students can reap the benefits of a UC degree, building on the University’s academic and research excellence, and working to promote a safe and respectful community that fosters a free exchange of ideas,” Drake said. 

Drake’s tenure was also marked by rocky waters and he had to traverse many labor and political issues.

He joined the university system in July 2020 in the midst of COVID-19, and had to balance competing views of what restrictions should be on campuses.

In 2022, he faced the country’s largest higher education strike and also faced other labor union disputes.

UC campuses were rife with turmoil at the end of last academic year when pro-Palestinian encampments were erected on campus, with clashes breaking out between protesters and hundreds arrested at UC Los Angeles.  

The UC Board of Regents will soon create a committee to search for the next president of the UC system.