HANFORD — The passing of Dr. Joseph I. Castro on August 24, 2025, has left a profound void not only in higher education but also in the community that shaped him from the very beginning. For those of us who knew him, celebrated him, and honored him during his rise to leadership, his story is more than an inspiring biography. It is a testament to what is possible when a child from Hanford, raised by a single mother and grandparents who immigrated from Mexico, dedicates his life to education and service.
As Vice Mayor of Hanford at the time, I had the privilege of presenting Dr. Castro with a proclamation in 2020 after he was named the eighth chancellor of the California State University system, the largest four-year public university system in the country. That evening, our city did more than issue a certificate. We placed Hanford on the map, officially, as the hometown of a leader whose journey represented both our community and the aspirations of countless Hispanic families across the Valley.
Former Mayor of Hanford Art Brieno, who introduced the recognition, summed up the feeling in our city perfectly: “I thought, he’s not just a Valley man, he’s also from Hanford.” His words reflected the pride that all of us felt, knowing that one of our own had risen to lead nearly half a million students across California.
A Son of Hanford
Dr. Castro never forgot where he came from. He often shared stories of his youth, recalling long hours spent at the Kings County Library across from Superior Dairy. He would check out armfuls of books, building a love of learning that carried him all the way to the University of California, Berkeley, and later Stanford University. Like so many young people in Hanford, he worked hard jobs to help his family, mowing lawns, washing dishes at local restaurants, and even delivering more than a hundred newspapers a day for the Sentinel.
It was while working at Burger King in Hanford that he met his future wife, Mary, who would stand beside him as First Lady of Fresno State and as a partner through every step of his journey. Together they raised three children, and together they represented the power of family, perseverance, and faith in the American Dream.
Rising Through Education
Dr. Castro’s academic path was extraordinary. From Hanford High School’s graduating class of 1984, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public policy from UC Berkeley, before completing his Ph.D. in higher education policy and leadership at Stanford University. His professional career began in the University of California system, where he served for 23 years in leadership and faculty roles, culminating as Vice Chancellor of Student Academic Affairs at UC San Francisco.
In 2013, he returned home to the Valley as president of California State University, Fresno. There, he transformed Fresno State into a nationally recognized institution for student success. Under his leadership, graduation rates climbed, and new programs addressed food insecurity, health needs, and the economic challenges facing first-generation students. He often said his greatest joy was inspiring talented young people from the Valley to imagine themselves as college graduates.
Chancellor of the California State University
When Dr. Castro was appointed CSU Chancellor in 2020, he became the first California-born and first Mexican American to lead the 23-campus system, serving nearly half a million students. His appointment was historic, and for us in Hanford, it was personal. We knew his story. We had seen his character. We understood what it meant for a young boy from our streets to rise to such prominence.
Even as he faced the challenges of leading during a pandemic, Dr. Castro pushed forward initiatives to close the digital divide, strengthen equity, and secure record funding for CSU students. His voice was always one of advocacy for those who, like himself, were the first in their families to attend college.
Honoring His Legacy
Of course, like many leaders, Dr. Castro’s journey was not without controversy. But what I will remember, and what I believe our community should carry forward, is the man who stood proudly in front of the Hanford Civic Auditorium, pointing to the library that sparked his love of reading, smiling at his former tennis teammates from the undefeated 1984 Bullpups, and declaring his devotion to both Hanford and Fresno State.
On that evening in 2020, when our city honored him, I saw more than an accomplished academic. I saw a man who carried his community in his heart, who had worked tirelessly to open doors for others, and who believed that no student’s background should limit their dreams.
A Final Reflection
Dr. Joseph I. Castro’s life is a legacy of perseverance, education, and service. From his humble beginnings in Hanford to the pinnacle of higher education leadership, he embodied the hopes of Hispanic families across the Central Valley. His story showed us that success is not measured only in titles held, but in the lives touched, the students inspired, and the communities uplifted.
As we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate his example. He was one of us, a Hanford son whose path was lit by discipline, faith, and an unwavering belief in education’s power to change lives.
On behalf of our city and our community, we remember him with gratitude. May his memory continue to inspire every young person in Hanford who dreams of more, and may we honor him by supporting the next generation of leaders he worked so hard to empower.
Go Bullpups. Go ’Dogs. And thank you, Dr. Castro.
— Francisco Ramirez Jr., Former Mayor of Hanford
Francisco Ramirez is the founder of Kings Network News and creator of Kings Network Business, a platform that blends business networking, community support, and social media to uplift local entrepreneurs.
As a former Mayor of Hanford, California, he launched the Winter Wonderland event and brings over 20 years of business consulting experience. He is also a motivational speaker, life coach, strategist, author, podcaster, and skilled web and graphic designer.
He created The Invisible Kid: Courage to Succeed, a seminar on self-esteem and anti-bullying that has inspired youth across the region. Through media and consulting, Francisco empowers others to lead, grow, and make an impact.
