California State University (CSU) Chancellor Mildred García has been named the recipient of the 2025 TIAA Institute Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education.
Established in 1993 through sponsorship by
TIAA Institute, the research division of
TIAA, a leading provider of secured retirements for the not-for-profit market, and presented annually by the
American Council on Education (ACE), the Hesburgh Award recognizes a current college or university president or chancellor for outstanding leadership of their institution and broad impact on higher education.
“The California State University is rated among the best higher education systems in the nation on affordability and for promoting social mobility—and Chancellor García has played an enormous role in making that happen," said Surya Kolluri, head of the TIAA Institute, in announcing the award. “The first in her family to earn a college degree, she has inspired countless students through her trailblazing career and visionary leadership."
García became chancellor of the 23-campus system in 2023, making her the first Latina in the nation to run a four-year public higher education system. She is known for spearheading policies and programs to help improve graduation rates and make college more affordable.
“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Chancellor García. “It is especially meaningful given that Reverend Hesburgh so wonderfully embodied the core values that I hold dear, and that I will continue to aspire to on behalf of the diverse and talented students I so proudly serve."
A Career Dedicated to Student Success
As a first-generation college student of Puerto Rican descent, García's dedication to student achievement has been a constant throughout her career at the CSU and beyond.
During her time as president of Cal State Fullerton, she is credited with improving graduation rates, establishing CSUF's first
Dreamer Center—a resource center that supports undocumented, mixed-status families and allies in the CSU system—and nearly tripling new philanthropic gift commitments. At CSU Dominguez Hills, where García served as the first Latina university president in the history of the CSU system, she increased retention rates for first year and transfer students, eliminated a structural deficit of $2.8 million and exceeded enrollment targets. She served as president of AASCU from 2018 to 2023. In 2024, she was inducted into the
American Academy of Arts & Sciences and was named to the board of directors of the
National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH).
"The arc of Mildred García's life and career exemplifies the transformational power of education and reflects Rev. Hesburgh's commitment to student success and institutional excellence," said ACE President Ted Mitchell. “Millie has focused her considerable acumen and deep compassion on advocating for her students and expanding the pipeline of creative and dedicated higher education leaders. I am proud to call Millie a dear friend and valued colleague."
The Hesburgh award is named for the late Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, who was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the newly created Civil Rights Commission. The winner is selected by an independent panel of judges.
Former CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed was a co-recipient of the Hesburgh award (along with Eduardo J. Padrón) in 2012.
For more information about the award, visit TIAA's Awards page.
About the California State University
The
California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 460,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in
national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending more than 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the
CSU newsroom.