So, like, James B. Milliken, the big shot from the University of Texas system, got picked last Friday as the next big cheese at the University of California. He’s apparently a pro at running higher ed systems in Texas and New York. Milliken is stepping into the ring at a time when the UC system is going through some serious drama. The Trump administration is threatening to cut funding, which could seriously mess with the university’s research, medical care, and student services. On top of that, the state looks like it’s about to slash some funding too. Talk about a rocky start, right?
Nicknamed JB, Milliken has run the show at the University of Nebraska and the City University of New York. The CUNY system is a big deal, with seven community colleges, 11 four-year campuses, and seven professional, graduate, or honors schools. Janet Reilly, the chair of the UC board of regents, seems pretty stoked about Milliken joining the team. She thinks he’s all about that public university life and can keep UC on top as a global research powerhouse. Sounds like a lot of pressure, but hey, that’s the gig, right?
Milliken, who’s 68 years young, will officially take the reins on Aug. 1 after the current president, Michael V. Drake, steps down. Drake has been holding down the fort since 2020, with previous gigs at Ohio State University and UC Irvine. Milliken seems optimistic about the whole situation, even though he knows higher education is going through some major changes. But he’s all about UC’s mission to teach, research, provide healthcare, and serve the public. So, at least he’s got his priorities straight, right?
The money talk is always a big deal, and Milliken is set to make a cool $1.475 million as his base salary, up from Drake’s $1.3 million. Not bad for a day’s work, I guess. Milliken has a solid track record of boosting STEM programs, keeping costs down, and supporting undocumented students. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Back in Texas, he had to make some tough calls after Gov. Greg Abbott put the kibosh on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Yikes.
Despite the challenges, Milliken still believes in the power of higher education to change lives. He thinks colleges are the best way for folks to climb the social and economic ladder. Even though confidence in the system is at an all-time low, Milliken is convinced that investing in education is the way to go. And hey, he’s not alone in that belief, right?
Before diving into academia, Milliken did the whole Wall Street law firm thing. He’s got a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and a law degree from New York University. Fun fact: he’s the second UC president to come from the University of Texas system. Looks like there’s something in the water down there, huh?
Milliken’s got his work cut out for him overseeing the 10 UC campuses, $8 billion in research funds, and six medical centers. But his experience at UT should come in handy since that system has almost as many students as UC. Money-wise, UT and UC are pretty close in terms of research dollars, with UC snagging a bit more from the feds. But with possible funding cuts on the horizon, who knows what the future holds?
At the end of the day, Milliken is here to lead UC through the storm, no matter what comes their way. And hey, with his experience and vision, maybe he can steer the ship in the right direction. Only time will tell, but for now, let’s give JB a warm welcome to the UC family.
