Pasadena’s Caltech welcomes Ray Jayawardhana as 10th president

Ray Jayawardhana began serving as Caltech’s 10th president on July 1, 2026. For Pasadena, the change matters because Caltech is one of the city’s anchor institutions.

The institute’s Pasadena presence ripples through campus jobs, student life, research activity, and the local science economy. Caltech also manages NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, so the presidency carries added weight for a city closely tied to space science and federal research work.

What changed

Caltech said Jayawardhana started July 1 after being named to the post in January. The appointment is a leadership transition, not a policy overhaul, and the institute has framed the handoff around research, teaching, and public engagement.

His first message to the community emphasized continuity. Caltech and JPL both described the moment as important for the institute’s next phase, but there was no immediate announcement of major operational changes on day one.

Why Pasadena should care

Caltech brings students, faculty, staff, visiting researchers, events, and contractor activity into Pasadena every day. It also helps shape the city’s identity as a hub for science and engineering.

The JPL connection adds another layer. Because Caltech manages the laboratory for NASA, the presidency is part of a local institutional chain tied to some of the region’s most visible missions and research programs.

Pasadena Now also covered the transition for local readers, underscoring citywide interest in the change.

What to watch next

Watch for Jayawardhana’s early campus messages, public remarks, and any hints about research priorities, student life, campus planning, and the institute’s role in Pasadena.

For now, the main takeaway is straightforward: Pasadena has a new Caltech president, and the change matters because the institute remains one of the city’s most important anchors.

Sources

• Caltech official announcement: Caltech welcomes Ray Jayawardhana as its tenth president
• This Is Caltech: Caltech welcomes Ray Jayawardhana as its tenth president
• NASA JPL article: Caltech welcomes astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana as new president
• Pasadena Now local coverage: Caltech welcomes Ray Jayawardhana as its tenth president
• Los Angeles Times: Caltech names Ray Jayawardhana as new president