In September 2022, UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., shared his priorities for the University of California. The four priorities were developed through dialogue, partnerships, and reflections with students, faculty, staff and alumni, the Board of Regents, state lawmakers, and others.

President Drake’s priorities represent areas where the University is both uniquely positioned to make a difference in the world and where we can collectively improve our efforts and impact through concerted effort. By bringing special attention and focus to these priorities, we will build on our tradition of excellence and advance our ability to have a meaningful impact on the world. These priorities are:

1. Expanding opportunity and excellence;
2. Leading on climate change;
3. Strengthening an inclusive, respectful and safe community; and
4. Promoting health across California, including its most vulnerable communities.

Each of these four priorities represents a set of specific and measurable goals. Significant progress toward goals has been made across priority areas since the Presidential Priorities Plan was implemented in Fall 2022. In other areas, highly complex, ambitious new targets and aspirational goals are underway. Achievements across areas and goals are highlighted annually in President Drake’s update to the UC community.

PRIORITY 1: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE

Our aspiration is for the University of California’s academic and research enterprise to better tap California’s diversity and talent by improving access, opportunities, support and the experience for its students, faculty and staff. With intentional growth that promotes inclusive excellence and success, the University can expand opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and diversify degree recipients across all disciplines that will strengthen existing programs and research.

PRIORITY 2: LEADING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Our aspiration is for the University of California to stand at the forefront in understanding the climate crisis and implementing practical solutions. Our goal is to help build a more equitable, resilient and healthy world.

PRIORITY 3: STRENGTHENING AN INCLUSIVE, RESPECTFUL AND SAFE COMMUNITY

Our aspiration is for all University of California locations to be environments where those who study, teach, conduct research, work and receive patient care feel included, safe and valued. The UC community has a collective responsibility to understand and be accountable for its own histories that have resulted in disparate opportunity and different and exclusionary experiences for members of its most vulnerable communities.

PRIORITY 4: PROMOTING HEALTH IN CALIFORNIA’S VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

Our aspiration is for the University of California to improve the health of Californians now and in the future by promoting health equity across the state and expanding access to UC care. We therefore seek to improve the health of Californians, including the most vulnerable communities, and to expand access to UC health care for all employees and students.