(KMJ) – The University of California system has named Dr. Michael Drake as the replacement of outgoing president Janet Napolitano. And, in doing so, makes Drake the first Black president in its 150-year history.
The University of California Board of Regents announced the appointment of Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the 21st president of UC’s system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.
Doctor Drake has a long and distinguished career in higher education, most recently as president of The Ohio State University from 2014 until this past week. Prior to his six years at Ohio State, his entire academic career has been within the University of California system, including serving as chancellor of UC Irvine for nine years from 2005 to 2014 and as the system-wide vice president for health affairs from 2000 to 2005.
