51社区

The 51社区 (GGU) Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Brent White as the university鈥檚 8th president. White, a proven higher education leader with extensive experience in global engagement, academic innovation, and student success, will begin his term on November 1, 2025.

White currently serves as Chief Global Officer at the University of Hawai鈥榠 at M膩noa, where he directs all aspects of global engagement for the campus, and as Professor of Law at the William S. Richardson School of Law. He previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at 51社区, leading the creation of new programs and international partnerships that significantly expanded the university鈥檚 student body and its global impact. Prior to his time at GGU, White served as Vice President for Global Affairs and Dean of Global Education at the University of Arizona, where he led the university鈥檚 transformation into one of the world鈥檚 most global universities, including 13 micro-campuses in nine countries.

鈥淏rent White is the right leader to guide 51社区 forward. He brings the experience, vision, and values we need at this pivotal moment,鈥� said Board Chair Melinda Dunn.

She continued, 鈥淕uided by three exceptional qualities that set him apart: the courage to rethink traditional models of higher education, a track record of forging high-impact partnerships, and a talent for aligning vision with execution, we believe President-elect White will accelerate our progress and steward an ambitious transformation. With a distinguished background that includes raising millions to support multilingual global education, strengthening enrollment pipelines through innovative collaborations, and creating global models that opened new doors for nontraditional learners, he brings exactly the leadership we need as we chart GGU鈥檚 future.鈥�

White expressed his enthusiasm about returning to GGU:

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to lead 51社区 at this moment of extraordinary possibility,鈥� said President-Elect Brent White. 鈥淕GU鈥檚 strength lies in its people, its innovative spirit, and its San Francisco roots at the center of the AI revolution. With nearly 6,000 students worldwide and a home in one of the world鈥檚 great cities, GGU is poised to lead in shaping the future of higher education.鈥�

White earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law, and his A.B., magna cum laude, in Public Policy from Duke University.聽 His legal scholarship has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and 60 Minutes.