About Office of the President
Luke Wood
Dr. Luke Wood returned to his alma mater, Sacramento State, to become its ninth president on July 16, 2023. A nationally renowned scholar on racial equity with a specific focus on early childhood education and community colleges, Dr. Wood has authored or co-authored 16 books and published nearly 200 articles, book chapters, and other scholarly works focusing on racial inequality in education.
Dr. Wood’s bold vision for the University includes 23 strategic action items, including the creation of the nation’s first Black Honors College, which welcomed its inaugural class of scholars in fall 2024. In partnership with UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, Dr. Wood led the formation of the first-ever university-backed collegiate pathway into boxing and mixed martial arts, Combat U. Dr. Wood also supported the establishment of the National Institute on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Society, which provides research, resources, and professional development around AI in education.
President Wood holds a bachelor’s in Black History and Politics and a master’s in Higher Education Leadership from Sacramento State, and a master of education in Early Childhood Education and doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Higher Education concentration) from Arizona State University. President Wood’s wife, Dr. Idara Essien-Wood, is a tenured associate professor of Early Childhood Development at San Diego State. They have three children. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. and is an amateur boxer.
Division of the President
Connect with the Office of the President
Find Us
Office of the President
Sacramento Hall,
Room 206
Mon – Fri,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact Us
Phone: (916) 278-7737
president@csus.edu