Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano Resigns To Head Up University Of California As President

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has plans to resign from her position in order to become President of the University of California, White House officials announced on Friday.

According to a report from the Washington Post, Napolitano, who was once seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate, and who is also the former governor of Arizona, is leaving her post with the Obama administration, where she has been since 2009, to head up the University of California.

"I thank President Obama for the chance to serve our nation during this important chapter in our history, and I know the Department of Homeland Security will continue to perform its important duties with the honor and focus that the American public expects," Napolitano said in a statement.

Napolitano spoke highly of her time at the DHS and the department in general. She said the agency has worked hard to improve the safety of travelers, deployed resources to protect the nation's borders, worked with states to make the better the nation's emergency and disaster response capabilities, and partnered with the private sector to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity.

According to a report from USA Today, President Obama has praised Napolitano's work over the past four years, including national responses to threats, which range from hurricanes and other natural disasters to terrorism.

"She's worked around the clock to respond to natural disasters, from the Joplin tornado to Hurricane Sandy, helping Americans recover and rebuild," Obama said in a statement. "Since day one, Janet has led my administration's effort to secure our borders, deploying a historic number of resources, while also taking steps to make our immigration system fairer and more consistent with our values."

Napolitano will step down in September to become the first woman to run the 10-campus University of California system, according to reports.

"While some may consider her to be an unconventional choice, Secretary Napolitano is without a doubt the right person at the right time to lead this incredible university," said Sherry Lansing, a regent at the school. "She will bring fresh eyes and a new sensibility - not only to UC, but to all of California. She will stand as a vigorous advocate for faculty, students and staff at a time when great changes in our state, and across the globe, are presenting as many opportunities as challenges."