James Milliken (academic administrator)

James Milliken
Milliken in 2024
President of the University of California
Designate
Assuming office
August 1, 2025
SucceedingMichael V. Drake
12th Chancellor of the University of Texas System
In office
September 17, 2018  May 30, 2025
Preceded byWilliam H. McRaven
Succeeded byJohn Zerwas (interim)
7th Chancellor of the City University of New York
In office
June 1, 2014  May 31, 2018
Preceded byMatthew Goldstein
Succeeded byFelix V. Matos Rodriguez
6th President of the University of Nebraska System
In office
August 1, 2004  May 31, 2014
Preceded byL. Dennis Smith
Succeeded byHank M. Bounds
Personal details
Born
James Bennett Milliken

1957 (age 6768)
Fremont, Nebraska, U.S.
SpouseNana Graves Hilliard Smith
EducationUniversity of Nebraska, Lincoln (BA)
New York University (JD)

James Bennett Milliken (born 1957) is the chancellor of the University of Texas System. He is the former chancellor of the City University of New York, the largest urban university system in the U.S. from 2014 to 2018, after serving as president of the University of Nebraska from 2004 to 2014, where he was also a professor at the School of Public Affairs and at the College of Law. He served as senior vice president of the University of North Carolina's 16-campus system from 1998 to 2004. Before his career in academic administration, Milliken practiced law in New York City. Effective July 31, 2025, Milliken will become president of the University of California replacing Michael V. Drake, UC's Board of Regents announced on May 2, 2025. He is the second UT System chancellor to be recruited to become the next UC president, after Mark Yudof.