OAKLAND – (INT) - The University of California Board of Regents Friday (May 2nd) approved the appointment of James B. Milliken as the 22nd president of UC’s system of 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three nationally affiliated laboratories.

Milliken has been serving as the chancellor of the University of Texas (UT) system since 2018.

“Guided by his commitment to expanding opportunity and student success, Milliken has been a leader in expanding access to higher education for low-income students”, according to a UC statement.

“Chancellor Milliken embodies the qualities and leadership experiences the University of California community needs at this moment,” said Janet Reilly, chair of the UC Board of Regents. “Chancellor Milliken is simply the right person for UC at just the right time,” she said.

Milliken will assume his role as UC president on August 1, 2025, with a Board-approved annual salary of $1,475,000.

He succeeds President Michael Drake, who has served as the University’s president since 2020 and who announced that he would step down in July 2025.

Story Date: May 5, 2025