IN MEMORIAM:  DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO

CVHEC TRIBUTE:  DR. JOSEPH I. CASTRO

November 21, 1966 – August 24, 2025

‘Keep being bold!’

Statement from Dr. Benjamín T. Duran, executive director
of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium,
on the passing of Dr. Joseph I. Castro

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Joseph I. Castro, former president of Fresno State and former chancellor of the California State University system.

I first met Joe in the early 1990s when he was a young professor at University of California, Merced and the director of academic programs at the UC Fresno Center. The first time I met him, he was so energetic and youthful that I mistook him for a student. At the time, I was president of Merced College and that encounter grew into a close personal friendship and professional relationship that lasted for decades. 

It may sound trite, but Joe was truly one of the good guys.

Joe’s story — from growing up in Hanford to earning his doctorate at Stanford and then returning home to serve the Valley — was one that inspired so many. He made history as the first Latino to serve as president of Fresno State in its 102-year (at the time) history and later as the first Valley native, first Californian and first Latino to lead the CSU system as chancellor. In fact, he was the first person-of-color to serve as CEO of the nation’s largest public four-year institution of higher education. 

During his time in the Central Valley, while reminding us to “Be Bold,” he championed student success, social mobility and especially first-generation students.

Joe also served as a member and chair of the CVHEC Board of Directors and I was grateful to have him as a partner in advancing higher education opportunities for students across our 10-county region. His impact on our students, our communities, and the Valley itself will be felt for generations to come.

Here we present a clip from the Dec. 7, 2020 CVHEC Board of Directors meeting, Joe’s last as a member representing Fresno State when he moved on to the CSU chancellorship and his board colleagues at the time wishing him well.

While his leadership journey was not without challenges, today I remember Joe with deep respect, gratitude and friendship. My heart goes out to his wife, Mary, their children Issac, Lauren and Jess, as well as his friends and colleagues and all who are mourning his passing.

– Benjamin Duran, Ed.D
Executive Director

See Fresno State statement by President Saúl Jiménez Sandoval, CVHEC board member.