The California State University Board of Trustees announced today that it has named University of California Riverside Chancellor Timothy White as the new Chancellor for the CSU system, the nation’s largest four-year public higher education system.
White’s appointment comes after a nearly five-month search that began when former CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed announced his retirement after 14 years in May.
“I am humbled to have been chosen to lead the California State University system at such a transformative time,” said White in a statement to the press. “As Chancellor, I look forward to engaging with faculty, students, staff, campus presidents and CSU trustees, along with the communities we serve, as we advance this vital system of higher education for California’s future.”
Members of the CSU Board say that White, 63, was ultimately chosen to be the system’s seventh Chancellor out of a talented group of finalists because of his record at UCR, where he has served as Chancellor since 2008.
In addition to developing a 10-year strategic plan for the university shortly after arrival, he moved forward on establishing a School of Medicine on the campus and announced the creation of a School of Public Policy. Under White’s direction, UCR has been mentioned by many national news outlets and the school has climbed in U.S. News and World Report’s college rankings, despite budgetary setbacks that have plagued public institutions statewide.
“Tim White’s background and experience reflect the institutional values and mission of the CSU,” said CSU Board Chair Bob Linscheid. “His demonstrated leadership and commitment to student success are the right combination for the university’s future.”
White’s academic background is in physiology, kinesiology and human biodynamics and he has matriculated through every public school system within California. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, White is a first generation college student who began his career at Diablo Valley Community College before earning his B.A. at Fresno State University, his master’s degree from Cal State Hayward and his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley.
Prior to his years at UCR, White also served as president of the University of Idaho from 2004 to 2008 and was also a dean, provost, executive vice president, and interim president at Oregon State University. He has also previously held positions as professor and chair of the Department of Human Biodynamics at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a professor and chair of the Department of Movement Science and research scientist in the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Michigan.
White will start his new position in December with an annual salary at the same level as the current chancellor, $421,500 plus a $30,000 supplement from CSU Foundation sources.
Watch a video of White speaking at a recent UCR commencement ceremony: