Cal State Dominguez Hills President Willie J. Hagan (Sentinel/ LAWT file photo)

Cal State Dominguez Hills President Willie J. Hagan, who has been leading the university since June 2012, announced recently he will retire next year.

“It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career to serve as president of this great institution,” Hagan said. “I am very proud of the accomplishments this community has achieved over the past five years. Together we have strengthened the university on all fronts — student success, advancement, academics and facilities.

We have set in motion initiatives that will have a long-lasting impact on the future of this university. I am confident that this community will carry on the good work we started together.”

Hagan was named interim president of the university in June 2012, and was officially appointed in May 2013. He previously served as interim president at Cal State Fullerton, where he began working in 1996 as vice president for administration.

Hagan will step down at the end of the 2017-18 academic year.

“During his inspiring tenure, graduation rates at CSUDH have increased at some of the highest levels of any CSU campus,” CSU Chancellor Timothy White said. “Student success is a wonderful legacy and testament to his career-long dedication to providing students with transformative opportunities.”