Mildred GarcÃa, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, was named Wednesday the next chancellor of the Long Beach-based California State University, making her the first Latina to lead the 23-campus system.
GarcÃa previously served as president of Cal State Fullerton from 2012-18 and of Cal State Dominguez Hills from 2007-12.
“The California State University is a powerful engine of change and upward mobility for California and the nation, supporting hundreds of thousands of students in achieving their educational, career and personal aspirations,” GarcÃa said in a statement. “I am honored, humbled and excited for this opportunity to serve the nation’s largest four-year university system and work alongside its dedicated leaders, faculty and staff, and its talented and diverse students to further student achievement, close equity gaps and continue to drive California’s economic prosperity.”
She succeeds Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester, who took over the CSU system in May 2022 following the resignation of Joseph I. Castro over allegations he mishandled a sexual harassment case while he was president of Fresno State University.
“Dr. GarcÃa is a highly skilled, dynamic and principled leader who has championed student success — especially for those students from underrepresented communities — throughout her long and distinguished career in public higher education,” Wenda Fong, chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, said in a statement. “Her optimism, authenticity and courageous leadership will inspire greatness for the California State University community as we meet the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead and chart a path toward our great institution’s brightest future.”
The Board of Trustees announced GarcÃa’s hiring during its meeting in Long Beach Wednesday morning.