[Ucrfacultyandstaff] Chancellor's June campus update

[UCR Chancellor]

Dear Colleagues,


As we come to the end of the academic year, I am also completing my first
year as Chancellor at UC Riverside—and what a year it has been.


My office staff estimates that I have shaken hands with nearly 10,000
people since I arrived. After eight commencement ceremonies, where I had
the privilege of congratulating thousands of graduates, that number seems
entirely possible.


Those handshakes represent the excitement of students and families I met
during move-in weekend, Highlander Day, and walks across campus. They
reflect conversations with faculty and staff during coffee hours, and with
alumni who shared how UCR shaped their lives during Homecoming and events
in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Taipei, San Francisco, and New York.


They also represent meetings with trustees, philanthropists, community
leaders, and business partners; advocacy visits with elected officials in
Washington, D.C., Sacramento, and throughout Inland Southern California;
engagement with leaders of K-16 institutions in our region; and discussions
with colleagues across the University of California, the American Talent
Initiative, and the Association of American Universities.


They represent visits to research laboratories and facilities in Riverside
and Palm Desert, a ribbon-cutting celebration, and meetings with faculty
and staff across schools and colleges.


More than anything, those handshakes symbolize my commitment to learning
about your aspirations and building a shared future.


This year, we broadened participation in our annual leadership retreat by
including more faculty voices in discussions about campus strategy for
student success and research growth, as well as UCR's future opportunities.
We then continued those conversations through Academic Senate and Staff
Assembly meetings, strengthening our shared understanding of where we are
headed and how we will get there.


Together, we also built renewed momentum in philanthropy. We are ending the
year significantly ahead of last year's giving levels, supported by
increased participation during Giving Tuesday and UCR Give Day, major
gifts, and new partnerships. This progress reflects the dedication of
employees across campus and the confidence donors place in UCR's commitment
to students, research, health, and public service.


At the same time, we strengthened our leadership team. We welcomed Greg
Paules as Director of Athletics and named Sandra Kim vice chancellor for
finance and administration and chief financial officer. We have also
elevated Elizabeth Romero to associate vice chancellor for partnerships,
government, and community relations. In July, Travis Smith will join us as
vice chancellor for development and alumni engagement, and Jeff Girod as
associate vice chancellor and chief communications and marketing officer.
With these appointments, we will begin the next academic year with a full
leadership team and greater capacity to advance our priorities.


These milestones matter because partnership is not simply about showing up
together. It is about building the trust, alignment, and shared purpose
required to move a great university forward, both in times of success and
in times of challenge.


We saw that spirit recently when our campus community mobilized to support
students
<https://insideucr.ucr.edu/stories/2026/06/03/ucr-mobilizes-aid-students-after-campus-fire>
affected by the off-campus apartment building fire. Thank you to everyone
who contributed time, funds, or essential supplies to help our students
through a difficult experience.


Looking ahead, our focus remains clear: advancing excellence and access at
scale. That is UC Riverside's distinctive promise. It requires continued
investment in student success, research and innovation, health, and
partnerships, supported by strong leadership, a growing culture of
philanthropy, fiscal health, and deep engagement with our region.


My first year has strengthened my belief that UCR is exceptionally
well-positioned for its next chapter. We have extraordinary faculty,
dedicated staff, talented students, engaged alumni, and partners who
understand the transformative impact this university has on Inland Southern
California and beyond.


As we prepare for the year ahead, I am grateful for the many ways this
community has welcomed my family and me, challenged me to think more
broadly, and worked alongside me to advance our mission. Thank you for your
partnership, your commitment to UC Riverside, and your belief in the future
we are building together.


I look forward to all we will accomplish in the years ahead.


Sincerely,

S. Jack Hu, Ph.D.

Chancellor
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