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 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.