California State University, Dominguez Hills President Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D., announced his retirement from the role of president, effective Dec. 31.

Parham, 70, has served as president of CSUDH since June 2018, providing both steady leadership in challenging times and a bold vision for what the university can become, which during his tenure included improved academic outcomes, the launch of major capital projects, record-setting fundraising, and multiple athletic championships.

“Serving as president of California State University, Dominguez Hills has been one of the honors of my life, and I take a great deal of pride in building on what we inherited and what my team and I have uniquely accomplished during my tenure,” Parham said. “While I have enjoyed every year that I have served in this role, the time has come for me to step aside so that the CSU chancellor and Board of Trustees can select the next chief executive to step in and add his or her contributions to the legacy of those who have come before.”

Affectionately known on campus as “Dr. P,” Parham’s commitment to excellence in CSUDH’s fulfillment of its academic mission is evident in the university’s achievements since his inauguration: increasing the number of majors offered, attaining new academic accreditations, launching two new doctoral programs, increases in grant and research activity, and more than 28,000 graduates walking across the stage at Commencement. Philanthropic support for the university has grown rapidly as well.

The president’s expansive vision has taken shape in the cutting-edge infrastructure currently under construction on the university’s Carson campus. That includes an affordable housing complex; dining hall; new electrical switchyard; and student health, wellness, and recreation center. Still to come are new facilities for the Orthotics and Prosthetics program and the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute. These will join the recently opened Science and Innovation Building, Innovation and Instruction Building, and 500-bed residence hall.

The transformation at CSUDH reached beyond the campus borders as well. Parham spearheaded the CSU system’s first Juneteenth symposium in 2022, which laid the groundwork for recently approved state legislation establishing the Black Serving Institution designation in California. He also worked to repair and rebuild the relationship between CSUDH and the city of Carson, which now includes strategic partnerships in marketing and student career support.

“Since his appointment in March 2018, President Parham has served as a charismatic, innovative, compassionate and principled leader,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “He will leave CSU Dominguez Hills and the CSU system as more vital and welcoming institutions, and I offer him my deepest gratitude for his service.”

Prior to joining CSUDH, Parham spent more than 30 years in several roles at the University of California, Irvine, most recently serving as vice chancellor of student affairs and an adjunct faculty member. A licensed psychologist, his research focuses on African psychology, identity development and multicultural counseling.

Parham was recently honored with the Teachers College at Columbia University’s Medal for Distinguished Service, and the University of California, Irvine Alumni Association’s Extraordinarius Award. He also recently served on a committee of presidents and chancellors for the American Council on Education to design the new Carnegie classification system, which now take into account social mobility and other factors not previously considered.

“As I look back on my time at CSUDH, it is my sincere hope that my service and leadership as president have been a key to unlocking the shackles of perceptual incarceration, and that the campus community now thinks about what is possible rather than settling for the way things have always been,” Parham said. “All of the success we now enjoy at CSUDH is the result of a tremendous team effort stemming from the Toro spirit that is so pervasive across this academic community. I am blessed and proud to be a part of it.”

The CSU will soon launch a national search for Parham’s successor. Under university policy, the chair of the CSU Board of Trustees and the chancellor will select a committee composed of campus and community stakeholders to lead the search.