Dear Members of the UCR Community,

Today, I begin my service as the 10th Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. I am honored to join this extraordinary institution, one that is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, research distinction, and transformative impact on students and communities alike. Thank you all for the warm welcome.

Over the last twenty years, I have observed UC Riverside’s rapid rise as a top public research university. Today, as a member of the Association of American Universities and the nation’s leader in student social mobility, UCR stands proudly among the most respected public research universities in the country. This distinction is the result of your collective effort—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners—who have advanced the university’s mission with integrity, ingenuity, purpose, and dedication.

I have learned that at UCR, the tagline "Bold Hearts, Brilliant Minds " reflects truly who we are. It speaks to the courage, creativity, and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff, and the inclusive spirit that defines our campus community. Now, we are poised to leverage those strengths to expand what is possible for the future of our university and the region we serve.

As I begin this new journey with you, I look forward to listening and learning from you about institutional needs and priorities, and your aspirations for the institution. In the meantime, I want to share several areas on which I will be focusing during the first year:

• Deepening our commitment to student success and social mobility, including welcoming the largest first-year class in UCR history and preparing the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge to shape a better future;
• Expanding our research enterprise to drive discovery, innovation, and economic development across Inland Southern California and beyond;
• Extending the reach of UCR Health to serve more residents across our region and address critical health care needs in our communities; and
• Strengthening our partnership and engagement with alumni, industry, foundations, communities, and organizations in California and beyond. 

These priorities reflect the power and purpose of UCR’s tripartite mission of teaching, research, and service—and the opportunities we have to lead in each of these areas.

In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working together to chart the next phase of UCR’s story. Thank you for your commitment to making this university a place of excellence, opportunity, and impact. I am excited to join you.