Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated Scott Galloway — an entrepreneur, NYU professor and podcaster — to the University of California Board of Regents. If confirmed by the California Senate, Galloway would join the 26-member board that oversees 10 UC campuses and about 300,000 students. A UCLA alumnus and UC Berkeley MBA, Galloway is a major donor to both schools and is known for blunt commentary on Los Angeles and strong views about elite higher education. Newsom also nominated Doug Hendrickson to the CSU Board of Trustees.
Gavin Newsom Nominates Scott Galloway to University of California Board of Regents
California Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated entrepreneur, NYU professor and podcaster Scott Galloway to serve on the University of California Board of Regents, placing a high-profile and often provocative voice onto one of the state’s most influential higher-education governing bodies.
What the Nomination Means
If confirmed by the California Senate, the Florida resident would join the 26-member Board of Regents that oversees the University of California’s 10 campuses and roughly 300,000 students. The board helps set tuition policy, approve campus leadership and influence the system’s long-term strategy.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has planted one of the left's most outspoken podcast provocateurs on a powerful California education board — tapping Scott Galloway for the post. Getty Images for Vox Media
Galloway’s Background and Ties to California
Galloway is a UCLA alumnus who earned an MBA from UC Berkeley. Though he now lives in Florida, he remains a major donor to both campuses, including donations of $12 million for students pursuing nontraditional pathways and $4.4 million to UC Berkeley to support fellowships for students from immigrant families. He co-hosts a tech and business podcast with Kara Swisher and has served on corporate boards such as Urban Outfitters, Panera Bread and The New York Times.
Controversial Commentary and Higher‑Education Views
Galloway is known for blunt and attention-grabbing commentary about California and higher education. He went viral after calling Los Angeles the world’s “most successful failed nation state,” criticizing the city’s juxtaposition of extreme wealth and pervasive homelessness. He described it as “peak capitalism” and quipped about the city’s inequality:
The appointment puts an outspoken media personality with a penchant for skewering institutions inside the upper ranks of one of the country's most prominent public university systems. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
“This is a city where you can be waiting in line with a Saudi prince, a hedge fund manager, a failed actor and a TikTok star, and you’re all in line for the same $24 smoothie.”
On higher education, Galloway has accused some elite institutions of intentionally limiting enrollment and raising tuition to “sequester supply,” and has suggested that such actions could jeopardize those schools’ tax-exempt status. At the same time, he has praised public systems like the UC for expanding access through larger first-year classes and additional summer and evening offerings, calling that work nearly “God’s work.”
Public Policy Interests
A Democrat, Galloway has been outspoken about loneliness and isolation among young men — an issue Governor Newsom has prioritized. Last year the governor signed an executive order aimed at addressing rising suicide rates and social disconnection among boys and young men in California.
The governor last year signed an executive order aimed at addressing rising suicide rates and disconnection among young men and boys in California. Governor Gavin Newsom
Other Appointments
Newsom also nominated Doug Hendrickson, a sports executive and San Jose State graduate, to a seat on the California State University Board of Trustees. Hendrickson is an executive vice president at The Team and has held senior roles with Independent Sports & Entertainment and Octagon.
Next Steps: The appointment requires confirmation by the California Senate before Galloway can assume the regent role.
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