RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) – Some of the greatest lessons Jeff Krynski learned in life derive from his college experience at UC Riverside.

Krynski was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Upland, Calif. He came to UCR wanting to build a career in the business world and in 1981 earned a bachelor’s in administrative studies. A few decades after graduation, Krynski returned to volunteer on the Alumni Association board and as of July 1 began his two-year term as president.

“I absolutely loved every minute of my experience at UCR,” said Krynski, current vice president of renewal and negotiations with Alight Solutions, a human resources services firm headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois. “I felt very much at home from early on. I met my three closest friends in life at UCR. I think this is an experience that’s still true today for our students.”

Krynski joined the UCR Alumni Association board of directors in 2008 and plans to remain active for years to come, he said. One of his primary goals as president will be to further the presence of the Alumni Association on campus through interactions with current students and making them aware of the resources available to them upon graduation. He also wants to identify ways the association can assist them during their time as students.

Krynski, who completed his M.B.A. in management at Pepperdine University in 1988, said he is proud to have the opportunity to work with both the alumni staff and the other board members.

“The entire board is made up of a tremendous set of folks who share an enormous amount of love for UCR. It’s a board that just works very well together. A lot of credit goes to Jorge Ancona and the tireless alumni staff. Jorge has allowed us to come into our own and take actions as we see fit,” said Krynski, referring to Jorge Ancona, UCR Alumni Association executive director and assistant vice chancellor of Alumni & Constituent Relations.

Krynski still carries with him the lessons he learned as a college student: show up, take responsibility, move forward as a team.

“My attachment to UCR was always there, but it has now become my passion,” he said.