California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) President Tomás D. Morales has announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, marking the culmination of a distinguished 51-year career in higher education, including 13 years at the helm of CSUSB. The announcement was made during the university's annual Convocation on August 21st.
A Legacy of Growth and Innovation
President Morales reflected on his tenure with pride, stating, "It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your president. And I look forward to moving into this next year with you." He highlighted the university's accomplishments and expressed confidence in its future.
Since assuming the presidency in August 2012, Morales has spearheaded numerous initiatives focused on student success, including innovative summer bridge programs and strengthened partnerships with K-12 school districts and community colleges in the Inland Empire.
Key Achievements Under Morales' Leadership:
- Successfully completed CSUSB’s first fundraising campaign, raising $54 million.
- Doubled the university endowment.
- Spearheaded the development of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board.
- Led the bi-county initiative Growing Inland Achievement, raising over $25 million to improve college attainment.
- Overseen the addition of 552,612 gross square feet to the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses.
Prior to his role at CSUSB, Morales served as president of the College of Staten Island, City University of New York, from 2007 to 2012. He holds degrees from the University at Albany.
Looking Ahead
The CSU Board of Trustees will manage the appointment process for President Morales' successor in the coming months. The university community and the wider Inland Empire region will be closely watching this process, eager to see who will lead CSUSB into its next chapter. The university's continued growth and commitment to student success will undoubtedly be key considerations in the selection process.