<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">Dear Colleagues,</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">More than anything, those handshakes symbolize my commitment to learning
about your aspirations and building a shared future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">We saw that spirit recently when our </span><a href="https://insideucr.ucr.edu/stories/2026/06/03/ucr-mobilizes-aid-students-after-campus-fire" style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(70,120,134)">campus community mobilized to support students</a><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> 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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">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.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">I look forward to all we will accomplish in the years ahead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:115%"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Sincerely,</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 1pt;line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">S. Jack Hu, Ph.D. </font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 1pt;line-height:115%"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="">Chancellor</font></p></div></div>