CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales Announces his Final Year as President

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.

The announcement was made at the university’s annual Convocation of faculty, staff and administrators on Aug. 21.

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 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 has spent his career working for the State University of New York, the City University of New York and the California State University. Prior to coming to CSUSB, Morales was president of the College of Staten Island, The City University of New York (CUNY), from 2007 to 2012.

From 2001 to 2007, Morales served in various capacities at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CPP), including Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, and professor of education. While at CPP, he established the Kellogg Honors College, realigned the division of Academic Affairs and played a key role in completing a $23M expansion of the Bronco Student Center, among other projects.

Prior to joining CPP, Morales served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The City College of New York (CUNY). He holds a B.A. in history from SUNY, New Paltz, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in educational administration and policy studies from SUNY, Albany.

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.”