Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute mourns the passing of Dr. Joseph I. Castro and honors his bold vision for higher education and the Portuguese-American community.

The Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) at California State University, Fresno, expresses deep sorrow over the passing of Dr. Joseph I. Castro, former President of Fresno State and former Chancellor of the California State University (CSU) system, who died on August 24 at the age of 58.

Born in Hanford, California, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Dr. Castro made history as the first Valley native, first Californian, and first person of color to serve as Chancellor of the CSU — the largest and most diverse public university system in the nation, serving nearly half a million students. His journey — from a humble upbringing to Stanford University, and ultimately to leading institutions of higher learning in California — was a story of resilience and vision that inspired countless students, educators, and community leaders.

Dr. Castro’s legacy is indelibly tied to his transformative impact on California’s higher education system. As President of Fresno State from 2013 to 2020, he championed initiatives that dramatically improved graduation rates, increased access for first-generation students, and elevated Fresno State’s reputation as one of the nation’s top universities for social mobility. National publications, including U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly, ranked Fresno State among the best in the United States in advancing students from underserved communities.

In 2021, Dr. Castro became Chancellor of the California State University, where he secured the largest budget in CSU history, launched the CSUCCESS initiative to close the digital divide by distributing iPads to tens of thousands of first-year and transfer students, and partnered with Apple Inc. and Governor Gavin Newsom to establish the Global Hispanic-Serving Institution Equity Innovation Hub, a $50 million investment in equity and opportunity.

Throughout his 35-year career, he remained deeply committed to the idea that education is the most powerful driver of opportunity, equity, and transformation. He never forgot his own roots as a first-generation student, and he dedicated his life to opening doors for others.

A champion of the Portuguese-American community

For the Portuguese and Azorean community, Dr. Castro will always be remembered as the leader whose bold vision helped create the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute. Inaugurated in February 2019, the PBBI stands today as a living bridge between California and the Portuguese-speaking world. Under Dr. Castro’s leadership, Fresno State also expanded its offerings in Portuguese Studies, including the approval of a Minor in Portuguese, and signed an exchange agreement with the University of the Azores in partnership with the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) and the Tulare–Angra do Heroísmo Sister City Foundation.

Dr. Castro and his wife of 33 years, Mary Borges Castro — herself a proud American of Azorean descent — visited the Azores in 2016. That trip left a profound impression on him. He fell in love with the islands, their landscapes, and their people, and returned with a deep sense of mission to strengthen ties between the Valley and the archipelago.

“Without Dr. Castro’s vision and courage, the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute would not exist. He understood that universities could not be confined to classrooms or borders; they must extend across oceans, histories, and identities. His legacy is a testament to the belief that education is the most powerful tool of social and cultural transformation,” said Diniz Borges, Founding Director of the PBBI.

A life of service through education

Before his presidency at Fresno State, Dr. Castro held leadership and faculty positions at five University of California campuses — Berkeley, Davis, Merced, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco. At UCSF, he served as Vice Chancellor of Student Academic Affairs and Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Across each role, he mentored hundreds of students and faculty, always insisting on equity, opportunity, and belonging.

His leadership extended beyond California. He served on boards such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the Lumina Foundation, and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, which honored him with its Alumni Excellence in Education Award. He also received the Ohtli Award, the Mexican government’s highest recognition for service to Mexican and Mexican-American communities abroad.

Dr. Castro’s life was defined by empathy, accessibility, and the conviction that diversity is not an accessory, but the very heart of education. He inspired those around him not only with his policies but with his presence: he made each person feel valued, seen, and capable of boldness.

Remembering his impact

The Central Valley, the California State University system, and the Portuguese-American community are all better because of Joseph I. Castro. His vision will continue to ripple outward for generations, shaping institutions, opening doors, and changing lives.

Dr. Castro is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, with whom he shared 33 years of marriage, and by their three children. The Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the many communities who mourn his loss.

Dr. Joseph I. Castro leaves much of himself to all of us — in the institutions he shaped, the bridges he built, and the countless hearts he touched. His light will not fade; it will continue to guide us across the Valley, across the Azores, and across every place where education and hope are needed most.

Memories…