University of California President Janet Napolitano announced that she will step down in August 2020 after seven years of leading California’s preeminent public university system.
“My time at UC has been deeply gratifying and rewarding. I have been honored and inspired every day to serve this institution alongside incredibly dedicated, passionate people,” said Napolitano, the 20th president and first woman to lead the university. “The decision was tough — and this moment, bittersweet — but the time is right.”
“We have new regents on UC’s governing board, a new governor in Sacramento, and a presidential election on the horizon. With many of my top priorities accomplished and the university on a strong path forward, I feel it’s the ideal time for a leadership transition — an infusion of new energy and fresh ideas at the university,” President Napolitano added.
Napolitano was appointed secretary of Homeland Security at the beginning of the Obama administration. At the time she was serving in her second term as governor of Arizona. Previously, she had served as attorney general of Arizona and as the U.S. Attorney for Arizona. As governor, she was the first woman to chair the National Governors Association.
Napolitano is a graduate of Santa Clara University in California. She earned her law degree at the University of Virginia.