[Ucrfacultyandstaff] Chancellor's campus update -- October

[UCR Chancellor]

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
<https://provost.ucr.edu/chancellors-office-searches> 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
<https://healthmattersforum.org/>.



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
<https://myadv.ucr.edu/forms/Faculty_Staff_Alumni_Luncheon> to attend.



More information about Homecoming is available on the webpage
<https://alumni.ucr.edu/homecoming>.



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.


Sincerely,

S. Jack Hu, Ph.D.

Chancellor
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