Cal State Fullerton President Leaving To Head Nonprofit

FULLERTON, CA -- Cal State Fullerton announced this week that its president will leave the post to lead a national nonprofit.

Mildred Garcia, who has worked at the university since 2012, will resign effective Jan. 22, 2018. She plans to become president of the nonprofit the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, according to a press release.

The first Latina president in the largest system of senior higher education in the country, Garcia has seen a 30 percent improvement in six-year graduation rates and a 65 percent improvement in four-year graduation rates for first-time freshmen, according to the press release.

Additionally, the university saw an increase in philanthropic donations from $8.5 million to $22 million.

“The prosperity of our nation is inextricably linked to affordable, high-quality public higher education,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy White. “Millie has been one of California’s strongest advocates for public higher education and now she can continue that work on a national level. While we will miss her leadership in the CSU, I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role.”

White plans to visit the university in the near future to discuss the appointment of an interim president.

--Photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton