Next president of UC system, James B. Milliken, leaving Texas for Golden State

James B Milliken incoming president of the UC system Photo courtesy of University of California James B Milliken chancellor of the University of Texas system has been named the next president of the University of California The heralded system includes UC San Diego UCLA and UC Berkeley among its campuses it was released Friday Milliken s appointment follows a six-month search to find a successor to UC President Michael V Drake who has served since and will step down on July The University of California is universally regarded as the preeminent masses research university in the world and I am deeply honored to have an opportunity to join the a great number of talented faculty staff and campus leaders in their vital work Milliken stated in a announcement It is more significant than ever that we expand the training research robustness care and populace operation for which UC is so widely admired and which has benefited so a great number of Californians Milliken has spent more than years leading major citizens university systems taking top posts in both deeply conservative and liberal states Chancellor Milliken embodies the qualities and leadership experiences the University of California society demands at this moment reported Janet Reilly chair of the UC Board of Regents Milliken will assume his role as UC president on Aug with a board-approved annual salary of executives declared In Texas Milliken launched a major initiative to fully cover tuition and fees for eligible students from families earning under personnel announced The system also saw record-high enrollment low apprentice debt and nearly billion in annual research spending during his tenure In addition UT s fitness architecture which includes seven healthcare schools ranks among the largest healthcare care providers in the country Before taking the helm at the University of Texas in Milliken served four years as chancellor of the -campus City University of New York A native of Nebraska he previously spent nearly a decade leading the University of Nebraska system and six years as a vice president in the -campus University of North Carolina system In a declaration Drake explained Chancellor Milliken has the depth of wisdom and experience to handle the challenges and opportunities of this position I have great confidence in both his leadership and his commitment to the University s enduring values His appointment disclosed Friday by the UC Board of Regents comes at a tense time for the system as universities nationwide face attacks from President Trump and cuts to federal research funding Chancellor Milliken s distinguished career and lifelong commitment to residents schooling prepares him to lead the University of California in this new era announced UC regent Carmen Chu As the University evolves it is critical we engage leaders adept at navigating change and positioning the institution for long-term success UC s system serves students across its campuses along with six academic curative centers and three affiliated national laboratories