Chancellor Yang has announced he will step down at the end of the coming academic year

ISLA VISTA, Calif.— UC Santa Barbara’s Chancellor Yang announced he will step down at the end of the coming academic year.

He will be returning to teaching, research, and service as a professor.

He sent a message to the UCSB community saying, "It has been such a wonderful journey of life to serve and work with you to advance our campus, with the highest stature of excellence, diversity, and significant access to our campus…Our faculty have won so many accolades, awards, and honors across all disciplines, including, for example, six Nobel Prizes (plus one more to our alumna), National Medals, the Pulitzer Prize, and many more."

He added, "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."

You can read his full statement here.

President Michael V. Drake of the University of California system tweeted the response below about Chancellor Yang's announcement.

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps also shared her thoughts on Yang stating, "I am deeply grateful for Chancellor Henry Yang’s remarkable and enduring leadership at UC Santa Barbara...  He has exemplified a steady, thoughtful presence, particularly evident during critical community challenges such as the Isla Vista shooting. His quiet strength and genuine care for our community are hallmarks of his tenure."

Capps also recounted a personal story that holds a special place in her heart: "Having known Chancellor Yang since the early days of his chancellorship—when I was in my early 20s and my father was a UCSB professor—I have witnessed firsthand his genuine support and kindness.  The night after my father’s sudden passing, I will always remember Chancellor Yang’s unexpected and deeply touching gesture.   He was there at the airport to greet my mother and me when we returned to Santa Barbara very late at night from Washington D.C. --- standing quietly."

Capps says the future of Isla Vista is bright, and that she is looking forward to the new path they are taking for better housing.

Grateful to @UCSantaBarbara Chancellor Henry Yang for 30 yrs of leadership and wish him the best as this chapter ends. He will return to the faculty & leaves behind a legacy of excellence & public service. We will soon begin a search for his replacement.https://t.co/3c2bzbrqgx

— Michael V. Drake (@UCPrezDrake) August 14, 2024