Timothy P. White

Timothy P. White, chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, was selected on Oct. 4 as the seventh chancellor to preside over the 23 campus California State University system, the largest four-year public higher education system in the nation.

White, 63, who has served as UCR chancellor since 2008, was among the top candidates to succeed Chancellor Charles B. Reed, who announced his retirement following a 14-year tenure with the system.

“I am humbled to have been chosen to lead the California State University system at such a transformative time,” White said. “As chancellor, I look forward to engaging with faculty, students, staff, campus presidents and CSU trustees, along with the communities we serve.”

During his tenure at UCR, White led the growth of the campus to almost 21,000 students, a record for the campus. He formed a committee of faculty, staff, students and community stakeholders who developed a 10-year strategic plan for the university and advanced UCR’s goals for the establishment of a School of Medicine.

UCR consistently received high scores in the U.S. News and World Report’s college rankings for both academic quality and diversity under White’s leadership.

“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.”

“As a long-serving member of the board, we are grateful to appoint a chancellor with Tim White’s commitment to reaching out to underserved students,” CSU Trustee Bill Hauck said. “Tim has experienced firsthand the powerful impact of higher education and has the leadership qualities to guide the system through these fiscally challenging times.”

White emigrated from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Northern California and is a first-generation college student who has advanced through every college system in California. After beginning his higher education career at Diablo Valley Community College, he went on to earn a bachelor’s from Fresno State, a master’s from Cal State Hayward (East Bay) and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley.

White is expected to begin his new role by the end of December. He will receive an annual salary at the same level as the current chancellor, $421,500; a $30,000 supplement from CSU Foundation sources; and the standard benefits package for CSU employees.

University News