University of California President Michael Drake announced on Wednesday he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the 2024-2025 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.