May 24, 2012 

HACU Statement on the Retirement of Chancellor Charles B. Reed, California State University

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) thanks Chancellor Charles B. Reed for his more than 14 years of service as the head of the California State University (CSU) system.  The California State University system has thirteen Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and serves more than 125,000 Latino students.

During Chancellor Reed’s tenure, strong efforts were made to increase the diversity of the CSU system, as well as to strengthen the institutional capacity of the CSU to serve traditionally underserved communities. Among Chancellor Reed’s accomplishments: diversifying the Presidencies of the CSU by naming high profile women, Latinos, and other individuals of color to head campuses; working through organizations like the Parent Institute for a Quality Education (PIQE) and conducting Super Sundays at African American churches to reach the underserved; and standing with HACU to advocate for additional funds to build capacity at HSIs. 

“As the head of the CSU, Charlie Reed has been a tireless advocate for underrepresented students, including advocating side-by-side with HACU on behalf of HSIs,” said Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO. “His leadership will be sorely missed but we are grateful to him for his commitment to diversity, even during these recent times of fiscal crisis. We wish him all the best for the future.”