In the 51st year of his career in higher education, and his 13th year as president of California State University, San Bernardino, Tomás D. Morales has announced that he will step down from the post at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
After speaking about the accomplishments of the university and the challenges of the new academic year, Morales said, “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 shared his pride in the institution, adding, “These are not just words, they are what I truly feel and believe – and I have a great deal of confidence in you and the future of our campus.”
Morales began his role as CSUSB’s fourth president in August 2012. His commitment to student success has led to various innovative summer bridge and other student and academic support services, including strengthening relationships with public K-12 school districts and community colleges in the Inland Empire.
He successfully completed CSUSB’s first fundraising campaign, raising $54 million while doubling the university’s endowment. The university’s ongoing second fundraising campaign is setting new records for the two-campus institution. His dedication to diversity prompted the development of the institution’s unique Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board. In addition, he spearheaded the first truly bi-county initiative to improve college attainment leading to the founding of the 501(c)(3) organization, Growing Inland Achievement, which has raised over $25 million toward this goal. Furthermore, under his watch, 552,612 gross square feet has been added to San Bernardino and Palm Desert.
Morales said that the appointment process will be managed and confirmed by the CSU Board of Trustees over the coming months and called on the university community to “participate in the upcoming open forum and provide your input through your campus representatives throughout the search process. More information will be forthcoming from the Chancellor’s Office.”
