Janet Napolitano announced her resignation, effective August 1, 2020, as the president of the University of California this morning at the UC Regents Board Meeting, first reported by journalist Yashar Ali.
“I believe that the University is on a solid path forward,” Napolitano said in her resignation statement. “It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as president. I look forward to a very productive year at the end of my presidency.”
Prior to her role as the UC president, Napolitano served as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Governor of Arizona. Napolitano was the first female UC president and has served for six years. She will serve for one more academic year to allow the UC Board of Regents to find a replacement for her position.
“I am looking forward to a new President who I hope will be interested in collaborating with student leaders and working as an ally to the students,” said Associated Students of UC San Diego President Eleanor Grudin. “I also would like to see student involvement in the process to select the new president since this leadership transition will have many direct and indirect impacts on students across the entire UC system.”
UC Office of the President (UCOP) has not responded to the The Triton’s request for comment.
This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Ella Chen is the Editor-in-Chief of The Triton and Orianna Borrelli is the News Editor of The Triton.