<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Dear Colleagues,
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the concept of choosing a word for the year. As opposed to setting New Year’s resolutions, which often involves changing habit, a word of the year
sets intention that can be carried forward in many aspects of life. As I think about out institution and the next 12 months, “engagement” may be a strong contender as UC Riverside’s 2024 word for several reasons.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">First, <i>engagement</i> has many meanings that relate to our work. One definition comes from the verb
<i>engage</i>, related to attraction of interest or participation (Oxford Languages) and denotes a level of curiosity and involvement. Another signifies an event occurring at a specific time.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Second, as a public research university, our mission is to unearth discovery through research, educate students, and share knowledge through community engagement. Educational programs available
to the public provide cultural and intellectual enrichment while partnerships with industry create new avenues for economic development. According to the Carnegie Foundation, this is something we do very well. On January 8, we announced the
</span><a href="https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2024/01/09/designation-acknowledges-ucrs-community-engagement"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">news</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> that UCR was selected as a 2024 recipient
of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">And finally, the opportunity for engagement isn’t limited to our external community members. These programs are also available to employees. Below you’ll find a few examples of upcoming
</span><a href="https://events.ucr.edu/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">events</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> and activities that show how anyone can engage with UCR.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Writers Week<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Southern California’s longest running literary event returns February 10. The 47<sup>th</sup> UCR
</span><a href="https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/12/14/47th-writers-week-coming-uc-riverside-february"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Writers Week</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> Festival will host more than 50 authors,
a presentation of lifetime achievement awards, and student readings. Visit the </span>
<a href="https://writersweek.ucr.edu/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">website</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> to learn more and
</span><a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/@ucr-writers-week"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">register</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> to attend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Another longstanding event, the Hays Press-Enterprise Lecture, will take place on March 4 at 6 p.m. in University Theatre. This popular lecture series brings well-known journalists to the UCR
campus for a discussion about important issues in the media. This year’s lecturer,
</span><a href="https://hayslecture.ucr.edu/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Michael Barbaro</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">, is a political journalist with The New York Times and host of the podcast, “The Daily,” which
has built an audience of more than one million listeners a day. Register </span>
<a href="https://myadv.ucr.edu/forms/HaysLecture2024?_gl=1*18uy2sa*_ga*NzUyOTk0MzE0LjE2OTM1MTE5ODg.*_ga_S8BZQKWST2*MTcwNTk2MTI5OS4yMzcuMS4xNzA1OTYyMjU3LjAuMC4w*_ga_Z1RGSBHBF7*MTcwNTk2MTI5OS4yMzcuMS4xNzA1OTYyMjU3LjAuMC4w"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">here</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Cultivating Mental Wellness: Supporting the Student Experience<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">On February 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in HUB 302, the
</span><a href="https://counseling.ucr.edu/mental-health-allies-0"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Mental Health Allies</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> will host a panel
</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2dgNXqPZj9/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">discussion</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">, “Cultivating Mental Wellness: Supporting the Student Experience,” focused on how students
can take a holistic approach to mental wellness. Be sure to </span><a href="https://ucriverside.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erjdRy8sQksUbUq"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">RSVP</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">UC Riverside Athletics<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">On February 3, designated as National Girls and Women in Sports Day, UCR Women’s Basketball hosts CSU Northridge at SRC Arena. On Feb 8, UCR Men’s Basketball defends their home turf when they
play Cal State Bakersfield. And February 9-11, UCR Women’s Softball takes the field for the 2024 Lynn Russell Miller Classic. Get your
</span><a href="https://highlanderstickets.universitytickets.com/"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">tickets</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> and come out to cheer on the Highlanders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">On Earth and on Mars<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Two </span><a href="https://palmdesert.ucr.edu/events-programs"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">events</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> at the Palm Desert
Center in February explore land on another planet and life in nearby deserts. In a Valentine’s Day talk titled, “Are We Alone: Mars Sample Return,” Rachel Kronyak, Systems Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena will discuss the collection of
samples using the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. The following week, on February 22, Dr. Jeff Lovich of the U.S. Geological Survey will present information about the desert tortoises that live in both the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Registration is required
to attend and learn more about </span><a href="https://events.ucr.edu/event/are_we_alone_mars_sample_return"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Mars</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> or
</span><a href="https://events.ucr.edu/event/boyd_deep_canyon_lecture_series_desert_tortoises"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">tortoises</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">UCR is Dancing 2024<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Dance major students will showcase their artistry at University Theatre on Thursday, March 7 and Saturday, March 9. For more information on the show, times, and tickets, please visit the
</span><a href="https://events.ucr.edu/event/ucr_is_dancing_2024"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">event</span></a><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Thank you for the many ways that you engage in your work and with our community to fully deliver on this important part of our mission. I look forward to seeing you on campus as we enjoy the
many special events that our community has to offer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Sincerely, <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><img border="0" width="102" height="76" style="width:1.0625in;height:.7916in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DA529F.CDC94B90" alt="A black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and white photo of a black and
Description automatically generated"></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:4.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kim A. Wilcox<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Chancellor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><img border="0" width="155" height="46" style="width:1.6145in;height:.4791in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.png@01DA529F.CDC94B90" alt="cid:image003.png@01D89DAF.8FA25DD0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>