A South Coast university officially has a new president, but it's someone who is already a familiar face to students and staff at the Ventura County campus.
California State University Trustees have appointed Richard Yao as President of Cal State Channel Islands. He's been serving as interim president since January of 2021, after CSUCI President Erika Beck was appointed President of Cal State Northridge.
Yao is the university's fourth President since it opened. He's the first Asian-American to hold the post.
Yao joined CSUCI in 2018 as Vice President of Student Affairs. Before that, he was at Nevada State College. Yao is also a licensed clinical psychologist.
