Dr. Joseph I. Castro
Castro, who was in hospice care at the time of his death, had served as CSU's eighth chancellor from 2021 until his resignation in 2022.
Born November 21, 1966, in Hanford, California, Castro was raised by his mother with help from his grandparents, who were farm workers from Mexico. He became the first in his family to attend college, earning degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford University.
"It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Joseph Castro, a trailblazer in higher education and tireless champion for students across the country," said David Mendez, interim CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. "His appointment as the eighth chancellor to lead the CSU was groundbreaking, making him the first Californian as well as the first person of color to lead the system."
Castro's career spanned multiple UC campuses before he became the eighth president of California State University, Fresno in 2013, making him the first California native and first Mexican American to hold that position. During his tenure at Fresno State, he launched initiatives focused on student success and social mobility, particularly for first-generation college students.
The California State University announced Castro's selection as chancellor in September 2020, with his appointment beginning in January 2021. The 23-campus system serves nearly 500,000 students.
"Dr. Joseph I. Castro dedicated his life to expanding opportunity through education," said Congressman Jim Costa, who represents Castro's home district. "A grandson of immigrants, his story is the American story. Raised by a single mother, Joe grew up in Hanford, California, and was the first in his family to graduate from college."
