Mikael Villalobos to Retire After 33 Years of Transformative Service at UC Davis

After 33 years of dedicated service to University of California, Davis, Mikael Villalobos, Ed.D., associate vice chancellor for campus community relations, will begin his retirement on July 1, 2026.

From Student Advocate to Campus Leader

A proud Aggie, Villalobos’ career reflects an inspiring full-circle commitment to UC Davis. He double-majored in art studio and art history — and later earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the UC Davis School of Education. He started his long career at Davis as a clerk and program advisor in health education. He moved on to educational outreach, first with the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) as a regional outreach coordinator and assistant director, and then as educational partnership manager in the Academic Preparation Program. Twenty years ago, his predecessor, former executive associate vice chancellor Rahim Reed, recruited him to the Office of Campus Community Relations (OCCR) to lead the education training program and he has spent his entire career on campus dedicated to the important work of making our university more just and more welcoming. For more than three decades, Villalobos has helped to shape programs, policies, and the compassionate manner in which we lead, learn, and care for one another as a campus community.

Advancing Inclusion and Campus Community

Villalobos has long been recognized for dedication to campus climate and inclusion initiatives. His work within Inclusive Excellence has been described as central to the university’s educational programs for inclusion and diversity. He is also well known across California and within national circles for his work to mitigate bias in hiring, as he has worked in partnership with several units, including, but not limited to: Compliance and Policy, Office of the Ombuds, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources. He has been part of the development of the Campus Community Book Project (CCBP), bringing speakers from many walks of life to campus for year-long programming on topics of the day. His impact also includes being instrumental in the inception of the Police Accountability Board (PAB) and working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders in the City of Davis, Yolo County, and in Sacramento. Colleagues across campus have benefited from his steady presence, thoughtful guidance, and consistent commitment to leading with care and clarity. Throughout his career, Villalobos has worked to build the university’s Principles of Community in both leadership and practice.

In 1989, UC Davis student Mikael Villalobos accepted an invitation that would shape his journey and the university’s future. By joining his fellow students in discussions to draft the UC Davis Principles of Community, he became part of a student-led movement that spurred a university-wide commitment to fostering inclusion and respect. Today, as Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus and Community Relations, he upholds these values in his work every day.” —History of the Principles of Community

A Legacy of Care and Leadership

A defining thread in Villalobos’ leadership has been his commitment to building a more inclusive campus, beginning with the early foundation of OCCR, which helped lay the groundwork for efforts that have since expanded into the Inclusive Excellence division. As he concludes his career, Villalobos does so having led with distinction in a role that reflects the breadth of his contribution, as OCCR’s associate vice chancellor.

Beyond his many accomplishments, Villalobos’ legacy lives in the people and teams he has influenced. His steadiness in challenging moments, his calm and reassuring communication style, his thoughtful insights, and his consistent willingness to help. Many at UC Davis are better leaders, colleagues, and community members because of the example he set and the care he brought to this work every day.

A Message from Renetta G. Tull, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence

Whenever Mikael Villalobos' name is mentioned in education, training, and policy circles around campus, colleagues share how much they love working with him, how his perspective improved their outlook, and how he wonderfully partnered with them to create meaningful change. I met Mikael during my first interview at UC Davis, and I will always remember that he was one who taught me the way that he was handling challenging issues. He shared that, “we call people in, we don’t call people out.” This declaration of how we do things at UC Davis has shaped and solidified my own commitment to our Principles of Community, and the segment of the Principles, “We affirm the dignity inherent in all of us.” There are so many things that can be said about Dr. Villalobos, but I really like the words that Forward Pathway’s March 25, 2025 article [UC Davis’s 35 Years of Community Principles: Mikael Villalobos’s Advocacy for Inclusion and Accessibility, Challenges and Future] includes, reflecting on the Principles of Community, Dr. Villalobos’ “Face-to-Face”  interview with Chancellor May, and the CCBP. Some snippets include: “Villalobos’s work goes way beyond just talk; he’s actively shaping the UC Davis experience. … We’re talking about someone who’s deeply invested in making sure UC Davis lives up to its ideals.” “Mikael Villalobos isn’t just an administrator pushing papers … it’s clear that his passion stems from a deep-seated love for his alma mater. It’s always inspiring to see someone give back to the institution that helped shape them, and Villalobos’ commitment is nothing short of remarkable.” “… his dedication to UC Davis is a shining example of how one person can make a real difference.” “The enduring impact of Mikael Villalobos’ work cannot be overstated. … His passion and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all. It all boils down to the importance of having champions who are willing to go the extra mile to create a more equitable and just community.” Indeed, Mikael has had an enduring impact on UC Davis. Several of the impactful elements were built training and educating thousands at the university and throughout the UC, and some of those elements were developed in small group or individual thoughtful discussions, and in quiet reflection that surfaced as his strong contributions to solutions.

Mikael, you leave a great legacy for Inclusive Excellence at UC Davis. We will miss you, and we thank you for the depth of the love and service that you have given to the university. It has been a gift to all of us.  

Watch Face to Face with Chancellor May and Mikael Villalobos