Ex-UC Irvine chancellor to lead UC system
Regents’ unanimous choice will become first Black president
Michael V. Drake, a former UC Irvine chancellor, was unanimously selected Tuesday to be president of the 10-campus University of California system, becoming the institution’s first Black leader.
Regents emphasized Drake’s experience, innovation, collaborative approach and likability as well as the diversity he brings to the post.
Drake, who turns 70 Thursday, retired last month after six years as president of Ohio State
University. He will replace retiring UC President Janet Napolitano, who ends her seven-year tenure on Aug. 1.
“We had many wonderful choices but Michael Drake really stood out,” Regent Sherry Lansing said. “He’s had an illustrious career and this will be the culmination of that career.”
Regents noted that his experience leading UC Irvine, from 2005 to 2014, and previous UC post as vice president for health affairs gave him familiarity with the system, and that his background made him particularly well poised to guide the university system during a period of national and
“UC is one of the world’s institutions best positioned to address these issues. I’m so happy to be rejoining my UC family. I’m excited and ready to go.” — Michael V. Drake, former UC Irvine chancellor
global tumult.
“We wanted a new president who could lead UC through these unprecedented times,” said John Perez, chairman of the board of regents.
In return, Drake, an administrator and physician, acknowledged the corona
virus pandemic, climate change and “wounds of social injustice” as issues that could shape his new job.
“UC is one of the world’s institutions best positioned to address these issues,” Drake told regents during the online meeting. “I’m so happy to be rejoining my UC family. I’m excited and ready to go.”
Napolitano praised Drake as a “seasoned and
committed leader … ready to hit the ground running.”
“This is an important moment — one more step to make sure the university reflects the diversity of the state,” she said.
In taking the reins, Drake will lead a 101-yearold institution with 280,000 students and more than 227,000 faculty and staff.
“UC’s faculty are the drivers behind innovations in
biotechnology, computer science, art and architecture,” according to the university system’s website.
Drake was born in New York City to a physician and a social worker. The family eventually settled in Sacramento.
He graduated from Stanford University and received his medical degree in ophthalmology from UC San Francisco.
Before taking over as
chancellor of UC Irvine, he spent five years as vice president for health affairs for the UC system.
Upon leaving UC Irvine in 2014, he was awarded the University of California Presidential Medal in recognition of his work in the UC system.
“Under Michael’s guidance, UCI grew from a regional university to one of global prominence — all while remaining true to our
mission of serving the people of California,” current UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman wrote Tuesday on Twitter.
Drake is married to attorney Brenda Drake, has two grown sons and four grandchildren.
He is a bicyclist and a guitarist whose first job was at Tower Records.
He is on the board of directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.