LULAC Congratulates Joseph Castro As Next Chancellor Of CSU System
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Selection of A Latino Is Historic and Reflects the Future of Higher Education in California and Across the United States
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today issued the following statement after Joseph I. Castro, president of Fresno State University was named Chancellor of the California State University System, only the 8th person to ever hold that position in 163 years.
Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
“It’s an historic moment when we finally get a Latino to head the nation’s biggest higher-learning system in America. Frankly, we need ten more appointments just like Jose Castro. It’s long overdue and this is step one. Equally important is to underscore that Castro is the best person for the job, besides being Latino so let’s be clear that he earned this appointment. Already, 63% of all CSU students are from communities of color, the majority of them Latino. He’s the son of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college student in his family. LULAC salutes him and is ready to support his important work.”
Yvonne Gonzalez-Duncan - LULAC California State Director
“Congratulations to the first Latino to head the CSU! We are proud to have him as a role model for our Latinx and minority student community. We thank the CSU Trustees who selected, not only the best qualified candidate, but also someone who grew up in California’s Central Valley, went to school here and understands the challenges students, many from working families, face when attending a university. Dr. Castro will now tackle a myriad of challenges across 23 campuses and we are confident that his two-decades of experience will serve him and the people of California very well.”
Theresa Montaño - Co-Chair of the LULAC National Higher Education Task Force
“It is with hopeful anticipation that I welcome our new chancellor. Nineteen CSU campuses are Hispanic Serving Institutions and sixty-two percent of bachelor's degrees awarded to Latino students are from the CSU. We have important work ahead of us, we must increase the numbers of Black and American Indian Students, democratically move the implementation of Ethnic Studies and promote a robust, equitable, accessible, and affordable higher education for California's students. Let's do this work together! Congratulations Chancellor Castro, LULAC looks forward to a great working relationship.”
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/