Castro will be the eighth CSU chancellor in the history of the system and the first Mexican-American in charge. Photo provided by CSU Public Affairs.
By Robert Rios, Campus Editor
The California State University Board of Trustees announced on Wednesday that Joseph I. Castro will be the next chancellor to lead the nation’s largest public university system. He will be replacing Chancellor Timothy P. White, who is expected to retire at the end of the year.
Castro, who is Mexican American, will be the first person of color and first California native to lead the 23-campus CSU. He is currently president of Fresno State where he has been in charge since 2013.
The trustees’ appointee will take over for White who has been in the position for eight years. White, who announced his retirement last October , was supposed to have a replacement six months ago, but agreed to stay on job a bit longer to help deal with the coronavirus cataclysm.
“The California State University provides unprecedented and transformational opportunities for students from all backgrounds to earn a high-quality college degree and to better their families, their communities, and the industries in which they become leaders,” Castro said. “There is no other institution that makes this great of an impact on the entire state – the CSU is key to a growing and thriving California. I am truly grateful for and excited about this unique and wonderful opportunity.”
Castro will officially take office and lead the CSU system starting Jan. 4. . His salary will remain the same as the current chancellor. He will receive $625,000 plus a monthly housing allowance of $7,917 and a monthly auto allowance of $1,000.
CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham in his announcement to the school said he is “confident” with Castro at the helm.
“[Castro] has been a valuable member of the CSU community for many years and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with him. Dr. Castro’s appointment is an important milestone for the CSU system, as he becomes the first person of color to serve in this capacity,” said Parham. “I have known Dr. Castro for a number of years, both from my days at the University of California and my tenure in the CSU, and I enthusiastically endorse the Trustees’ selection.”
This decision was made under careful consideration by CSU board members with a search committee led by Jean Firstenberg who had these closing remarks on the importance of the committee’s choice.
“This happens to be a historical day in American history and this is certainly a historic day in the CSU history,” said Firstenberg.
Prior to joining the CSU system, Castro served in various administrative positions for 23 years and was a professor of Family and Community Medicine at a university in San Francisco.
“Dr. Castro is a passionate and effective advocate for his students, his campus, and the CSU,” Board Chair Lillian Kimbell said. “Above all, he is a leader that inspires greatness in students, faculty, and in the broader community. He is the right leader for the California State University in our current circumstance and for our future.”
