Governor says Napolitano has the “fresh mind” needed to run UC
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday praised the selection of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano as president of the University of California system, saying she has the “fresh,” outside perspective to lead the universities into a new era.
“She’s detail oriented,” Brown said in an interview Friday evening. “She has an open mind.’
The Times reported Friday that Napolitano, who also served as a former governor of Arizona, was selected by a committee of UC regents to become the first woman to head the 10-campus system.
Brown, who was on the interview committee, said he was impressed with her proven experience in running a complex bureaucracy.
The governor said he wasn’t concerned about her lack of experience in academia, or with running a university.
“She’s a leader, and she wasn’t an expert in homeland security when she took over” that agency, Brown said.
Twitter: @philwillon
phil.willon@latimes.com
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