Kamala Harris ’89 Concludes Historic Presidential Bid 

In a fiercely contested race, Vice President Kamala Harris, a 1989 graduate of UC Law San Francisco, has come short of securing the presidency. While she will not serve as the 47th president of the United States, Harris’ campaign has left an indelible mark on the nation and inspired millions.  

“We remain deeply proud of Vice President Harris and all she has accomplished,” said Chancellor & Dean David Faigman. “Her historic campaign has shown how a strong legal education can empower individuals to pursue their most ambitious goals.” 

Harris’ achievements are unprecedented. After earning her law degree from UC Law SF, she made history as the first woman elected district attorney of San Francisco and later as California’s first woman attorney general. In 2016, she shattered yet another glass ceiling as the first South Asian American elected to the U.S. Senate, and in 2020, she became the first woman to hold the office of vice president. 

In remarks on Nov. 6, Harris spoke of the transformative value of perseverance: “Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. And don’t you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it’s never been done before.”

Harris spoke from the campus of Howard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree.

“Her journey will continue to serve as a powerful example for UC Law San Francisco students and alumni, inspiring us to envision new possibilities for legal education and how our community can transform society,” Faigman said.