Introducing Pacific's New President

Introducing Pacific's New President

November 21, 2019

Dear Pacific Community,

After a nationwide search and a unanimous decision by the Board of Regents, I am pleased to announce that our next University of the Pacific president will be Christopher Callahan, dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Chris will take office on July 1, 2020. He will make his first visit as President Designate to the Stockton Campus today, followed in December by a listening tour at our Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton campuses.

Chris brings an energy and experience that match Pacific’s needs. He has an impressive track record developing programs that are relevant to students and great ideas for unifying our distinctive three-campus university in new ways.

In addition to being the founding and current dean of the Cronkite School, Chris is vice provost of ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus and CEO of Arizona PBS. He is an exceptional communicator, a proven innovator and a highly regarded leader.

As a first-generation college graduate, Chris has experienced the transformational power of education and is committed to continuing to find pathways for all students. His balance of academic and entrepreneurial experience will help lead Pacific toward a bright and bold future.

I want to thank the student, faculty, staff, administrator and alumni representatives and Regents who served on the search committee, as well as the many Pacific community members who provided input and support during the presidential search.

Kevin Huber, ’86
Chair, Board of Regents