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 $23 million 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.”

About Cal State San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California. The university opened in 1965, and is set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. The Palm Desert Campus opened in 1986 as the “Coachella Valley Center;” a permanent site was granted in 1994 and the first permanent building occupied in 2002. The university serves approximately 18,000 students each year on its two campuses, and graduates approximately 5,000 students annually.

CSUSB reflects the dynamic diversity of the region. The vast majority of students are first-generation, that is, the first in their family to attend college. Additionally, CSUSB has been a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution since 1994, and a designated Minority-Serving Institution as well. In November 2023, CSUSB was recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities with their Excellence and Innovation Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership. The university has also earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia certification for 2024-27 from Excelencia in Education for demonstrating through data, evidence-based practices and leadership the ways in which it is intentionally serving Latino students.

The university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master's degree programs, education credential and certificate programs, and a doctoral program.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications at (909) 537-5007 or news@csusb.edu, and visit the Inside CSUSB news site.