University of California President Michael V. Drake has announced his decision to step down at the end of the upcoming academic year, after a five-year tenure marked by significant challenges and accomplishments. Drake, who became UC’s first Black president in August 2020, has guided the 10-campus system through the Covid-19 pandemic, enrollment growth, labor disputes, and campus protests.
Drake shared his decision with the UC community in a letter, expressing immense pride in the resilience and achievements of students, faculty, and staff during his tenure. Despite facing global challenges such as the pandemic, natural disasters, international conflicts, and domestic political uncertainty, Drake believes that the University is now stronger, more resilient, more impactful, and more inclusive than ever before.
During his time as president, Drake played a crucial role in steering the UC system through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the transition to remote instruction and the safe return of students to campuses. Governor Gavin Newsom commended Drake for his leadership during this time, acknowledging his grace and vision in guiding the University through the crisis.
One of Drake’s significant achievements was the development of a five-year compact between UC and the state government in 2022. Under this agreement, Governor Newsom pledged annual funding increases of 5% for UC in exchange for the system’s commitment to improving graduation rates and increasing enrollment of California residents. This partnership reflects a shared goal of expanding access to higher education for Californians.
Enrollment of California residents has been a key focus for UC, with efforts to increase the number of in-state students attending the University. In fall 2023, the system saw a significant increase in the number of Californian freshmen, with 42,058 students admitted, marking the largest year-over-year growth during Drake’s presidency. The trend continued in fall 2024, with UC admitting a record number of 93,290 California first-year students, representing a 4.3% increase from the previous year.
Despite these successes, Drake’s tenure also faced challenges, including a historic strike by 48,000 UC academic workers in 2022. The strike, the largest-ever by higher education employees, resulted in an agreement that improved workers’ pay and benefits. However, tensions resurfaced in the spring of the same year, as pro-Palestinian protests led to another strike authorization by the union. The protests and subsequent clashes with authorities highlighted ongoing tensions on UC campuses.
The issue of divestment from companies linked to Israel also emerged as a point of contention, with protesters demanding UC’s divestment. Drake’s office maintained its opposition to boycotts and divestment from Israel, leading to further protests and demonstrations on campuses. The situation remains unresolved, with uncertainties surrounding the potential resumption of protests in the upcoming academic year.
As Drake prepares to conclude his presidency, he remains focused on advancing key initiatives, including expanding student support, facilitating paths to a debt-free UC education, and promoting a safe and inclusive campus environment. Janet Reilly, the chair of UC’s board of regents, is set to initiate a national search for Drake’s successor, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the University of California.