In an era of climate disruption and other emerging threats to the planet, individuals and institutions must act swiftly and cohesively. University researchers and scholars around the world play a crucial role in generating solutions with a global sensibility. Now more than ever, universities have a responsibility to build bridges that will help us meet these challenges, and connect the world through research and innovation.
Janet Napolitano is the 20th President of the University of California, and the first woman to serve in this role. She leads a university system of 10 campuses, five medical centres, three affiliated national laboratories, and a state-wide agriculture and natural resources program. The UC system has more than 273,000 students, 223,000 faculty and staff, an operating budget of $36.5 billion, and two million living alumni.
A distinguished public servant, Napolitano served as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013, as Governor of Arizona from 2003 to 2009, as Attorney General of Arizona from 1998 to 2003, and as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona from 1993 to 1997.
Since she became UC president in September 2013, Napolitano has been a steadfast advocate for California students, working to stabilise in-state tuition and to enrol historic numbers of California undergraduates. She has aimed to increase the number of qualified community college students who transfer to UC and expanded efforts to support California high school students from all backgrounds in their pursuit of a higher education.
