Chico State University interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs Stephen Perez will serve as the University's next president. He succeeds Gayle Hutchinson, who is retiring at the end of June. Perez takes over the role July 1. Perez became interim provost in January following the resignation of Debra Larson - The California State University Board of Trustees announced Wednesday morning that Perez will serve as its 13th president.