James Milliken Named Next UC President

James B. Milliken, currently chancellor of the University of Texas System, has been appointed as the next president of the University of California, succeeding Michael V. Drake on August 1. Milliken is known for expanding access to higher education and managing large public university systems. He will lead UC during a period of significant challenges, including federal investigations into antisemitism, proposed state budget cuts, and the loss of federal research funding under the Trump administration targeting diversity and equity initiatives. UC leaders highlighted his experience in steering institutions through political and financial turbulence. John Zerwas will become acting chancellor of the University of Texas System after Milliken departs. Milliken's annual salary at UC will be approximately $1.5 million.