The California State University celebrates the life of Molly Corbett Broad, who passed away on January 2, 2023, at the age of 81. She was one of America's most skilled and influential higher-education leaders, as well as a trailblazer, having served as the first woman to lead the University of North Carolina system and the first woman to be appointed president of the American Council on Education since the organization's founding in 1918. She served as the CSU's senior vice chancellor for Administration and Finance from 1992-93, and as executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer from 1993-97.
“Molly Corbett Broad was a bold, principled and visionary leader whose impact on higher education cannot be overstated and who was an inspiration to many," said CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester. “The innovations and best practices developed under Molly's leadership helped establish the CSU's solid operational foundation that supports a thriving learning and discovery experience for our students. Her impact at the CSU helped transform the lives of generations of Californians, and continues to this day."