Dear Colleagues,
Having completed my first 90 days as Chancellor of UC Riverside, I want to thank you for the warm welcome and many thoughtful conversations. I have met faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners who share a commitment to excellence and access that makes UCR distinctive—and continues to fuel its forward momentum.
In earlier messages, I outlined four institutional priorities to guide our path forward:
- Deepening our commitment to student success and social mobility;
- Expanding our research enterprise to drive discovery, innovation, and economic development;
- Extending the reach of UCR Health to serve the region’s healthcare needs; and
- Strengthening partnerships with alumni, industry, foundations, communities, and organizations in California and beyond.
To support these priorities with greater clarity and focus, I am announcing today several key organizational changes that will go into effect immediately.
First, University Advancement will become two distinct entities:
- Communications and Marketing
- Development and Alumni Engagement
The leaders of the two entities will report directly to me. This structural change reflects the importance of each area to our future and allows for greater focus on our national reputation, fundraising, and alumni relationships. Though distinct, these entities remain intertwined—they will continue to collaborate closely in telling UCR’s story and building relationships with our supporters.
In addition, the Office of Research and Economic Development will be renamed Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (RED will continue to be used). This change underscores the essential role that innovation plays in translating discovery into real-world impact.
All of these changes are part of a broader effort to ensure that UCR is positioned for continued growth and national and international recognition. I am grateful for your continued commitment as we work together to build on UCR’s strong foundation and advance its impact locally, nationally, and globally.
In the coming weeks, we will soon launch searches for several leadership positions essential to advancing these priorities and ensuring continuity across key areas of the university:
- Athletics Director
- Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Engagement
- Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
- Vice Chancellor for Planning, Budget, and Administration
These searches will allow us to attract leaders to guide UCR’s next phase of growth. Each role plays a vital part in positioning the university for continued success. Please visit the Chancellor’s Office Searches webpage for more information, which will be updated as available.
The university events team will become part of Development and Alumni Engagement and report directly to the VCDAE, once appointed. In the interim, the team will continue to report to Associate Chancellor Richards.
Upcoming Campus and Community Events
While we continue to advance organizational priorities, the coming weeks also bring opportunities to showcase UCR’s leadership and engagement with California and the Inland region.
UCR is proud to host a California gubernatorial candidates forum focused on health equity, on November 7 in the Highlander Union Building from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. UCR will serve as the location for Health Matters: A Conversation with Our Next Governor, a nonpartisan forum featuring California’s gubernatorial candidates. The event will focus on health costs, access to coverage, and the well-being of Californians—issues that are especially important to the Inland Empire and UCR.
In-person seats are by invitation only, however, the event will be livestreamed by NBC4 and Telemundo 52. More information is available here.
Next, we’ll welcome alumni and their guests back to campus, November 8, to celebrate Homecoming 2025 with a full schedule of school and college events as well as a concert headlined by Ludacris.
For those of you who are faculty or staff alumni, you’re invited to a special luncheon on November 5. Be sure to register to attend.
More information about Homecoming is available on the webpage.
Together, these changes and events reflect the energy and optimism driving UCR forward. I look forward to the months ahead as we continue advancing this great university and expanding its impact.