Chancellor García Makes Thousands Off Board Position With Education Technology Company That Contracts With the CSU  

April 3, 2026 - 02:07

Chancellor Mildred García of the California State University system holds a compensated position on the board of directors for the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a major education technology and assessment firm. This role has drawn scrutiny due to the significant financial relationship between ETS and the CSU system.

Public records indicate that Chancellor García has received over $100,000 in compensation from ETS for her board service. During the same period, the CSU system has entered into contracts with the company worth millions of dollars. ETS provides various services to the university system, including teacher credentialing exams and other standardized assessments critical for student advancement.

The situation highlights potential concerns regarding the intersection of public university leadership and private corporate interests. While such board positions are not explicitly prohibited, ethics experts often warn that they can create perceptions of a conflict of interest, especially when the company actively seeks business from the leader's public institution. The core question revolves around whether the financial arrangement could influence, or appear to influence, procurement decisions made by the chancellor's administration.

A representative for the chancellor stated that all necessary ethics forms have been properly filed and that her board service is publicly disclosed. They emphasized that procurement processes are rigorous and handled by dedicated staff committees, suggesting a separation between the chancellor's personal board role and system contracting. Nevertheless, the substantial sums involved continue to fuel debate over transparency and the boundaries for leaders of public higher education systems.