Chancellor Henry T. Yang will step down from his role at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, according to a statement released on Wednesday. Yang served as chancellor for 30 years, and plans to return to teaching and researching at UC Santa Barbara.
Courtesy of UCSB
Yang became the fifth Chancellor of UCSB in 1994 at age 53, making him the longest-serving Chancellor in UC history. Since coming into the role, he has taught an undergraduate engineering course every year, guided doctoral students and served as Chair of the international Thirty Meter Telescope project.
In Yang’s statement, he thanked University of California (UC) President Michael V. Drake, who also intends to step down at the end of this academic year, as well as the UC Regents for their support.
He also spotlighted his wife, Dilling Yang, for her volunteer work for the Chancellor’s Regional Receptions program and for establishing the Dilling Yang Staff Scholarship, among other contributions.
“I especially want to thank my wife, Dilling, for her role as Associate of the Chancellor, selflessly supporting our community without compensation twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,” Yang said. “She has been tirelessly helping to host every trustees meeting, helping students move in every fall, and participating in the life of the campus in every way.”
Yang reminisced on the memories he and his wife made walking around campus and interacting with students.
“We have shared so much joy with students during happy and festive times, and also shared our grief during a few tragic and painful times. We have been crying, hugging, healing, hoping, and smiling together,” Yang said.
He commended UCSB’s headway over the years in increasing campus diversity, fundraising and research grants. He also noted accolades awarded to faculty including the Nobel Prize, National Medal and Pulitzer Prize.
In addition, Yang highlighted the University’s acceptance into the Association of American Universities (AAU) as the first Hispanic-Serving Institution of AAU and the campus’ peak ranking as the number five public university in the country by U.S News in 2022 and Forbes Magazine in 2023.
Along with his praise, Yang acknowledged that further work needs to be done for, “several philanthropic buildings, ongoing recruitment and retention of faculty and staff, student and workforce housing, campus climate, Isla Vista improvements, increased access for students from diverse backgrounds, and much more,” all projects he intends to assist with.
“I look forward to working collaboratively on a long list, such as planning for our next long-range development plan and capital campaign,” Yang said.
University Media Relations Manager Kiki Reyes did not respond to inquiries regarding the reasoning for Yang’s resignation and the University’s plans to replace him, simply reiterating Yang’s plans to return to teaching, in a statement to the Nexus.
Yang signed off his letter with appreciation for the community and conveyed his enthusiasm for continuing to serve the University as an educator and academic.
“Serving as the Chancellor of UC Santa Barbara has been the highest honor of my career. I look forward to returning to the classroom and lab after this academic year, and continuing to support our unparalleled community of students, faculty, and staff to the best of my abilities,” Yang said.
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