Dr. Michael V. Drake became the 15th president of The Ohio State University on June 30, 2014. During his tenure, OSU has seen record highs in applications, graduation rates, academic excellence, sponsored research, diversity, and donor support.

The Time and Change strategic plan, launched in August 2017, aspires to further strengthen OSU’s position as a national flagship public research university, setting forth five areas of broad focus: teaching and learning; access, affordability and excellence; research and creative expression; academic health care; and operational excellence and resource stewardship.

The university has budgeted more than $150 million in additional need-based aid to students and families since 2015, well exceeding its stated goal of reaching $100 million by 2020.

The Buckeye Opportunity Program, which began in Columbus in fall 2018 and expanded to regional campuses in spring 2019, ensures that Ohio students who qualify for Pell Grants receive an aid package that covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees. The President’s Affordability Grant Program supports more than 15,000 middle- and lower-income students on all Ohio State campuses.

From July 2005 to June 2014, Dr. Drake served as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine. He also served as a Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology (School of Medicine) and Education (School of Education). During this time, UC Irvine became recognized nationally for advancing social justice through education and exemplifying environmental stewardship and institutional sustainability.

Prior to serving as UC Irvine chancellor, Dr. Drake served for five years as vice president for health affairs for the University of California system, overseeing academic program policy at the system’s 15 health sciences schools, located on seven campuses. He also spent more than two decades on the faculty of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine, ultimately becoming the Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmology and senior associate dean.

Dr. Drake received his Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University, his Medical Degree from the University of California at San Francisco, and also holds three honorary degrees. He and Brenda have two grown sons and four grandchildren.