() — For the first time in its history, the California State University (CSU) system appointed a Latina woman to lead the 23 campuses in your systemaccording to a statement released this Wednesday.
“The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Mildred Garcia to serve as the 11th Chancellor of California State University,” the CSU statement reads.
“Garcia currently serves as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and previously served as president of California State University, Fullerton and California State University and Dominguez Hills. Garcia is the first Latina named to oversee the 23 campuses of the CSU system.”
Garcia said she was “honored” to have been selected.
“California State University is a powerful engine of change and upward mobility for California and the nation, supporting hundreds of thousands of students in achieving their educational, professional and personal aspirations,” Garcia said according to the CSU statement.
“I am honored and excited by this opportunity to serve the nation’s largest four-year university system and work together with its leaders, faculty and staff, and its talented and diverse students to promote student achievement, close equity gaps and continue to fuel California’s economic prosperity.”
CSU describes itself as the largest public 4-year university system in the country with more than 450,000 students.
According to him release from The California State University, Garcia was raised in New York City by parents who immigrated from Puerto Rico. “A first generation student and the first in her family to earn a degree, [García] she received her degree from New York City Community College, earned a bachelor’s degree in business education from Bernard M. Baruch College, and a master’s degree in business education from New York University. She also received an M.A. and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Teachers College of Columbia University.”
Garcia’s new job as chancellor begins Oct. 1, according to CSU.
