UC Riverside appoints S. Jack Hu, former University of Georgia provost, as chancellor, faced with significant difficulties ahead
UC Riverside welcomes S. Jack Hu as new chancellor
S. Jack Hu, presently a senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia, has been named the new chancellor of UC Riverside, taking over from Kim A. Wilcox on July 15. With extensive experience in developing research initiatives and outreach to students from impoverished and rural communities, Hu is poised to bring transformative changes to the Inland Empire campus.
This announcement was made by the UC Board of Regents on Wednesday, amidst a critical period for higher education, with President Trump advocating severe critiques towards the system. The administration has revoked substantial funding for medical and scientific research, disparaged diversity efforts, and threatened to limit the ability of colleges to accept international students.
Hu's tenure at UC Riverside will be crucial as the campus grapples with these challenges, particularly in the face of deep cuts to federal funding grants, including those from the National Institutes of Health. The university received over $40 million in such grants last year, highlighting the importance of maintaining a partnership with federal agencies for future growth.
Chancellor Wilcox, who has been in office since 2013, presided over a significant period of growth for the UC Riverside campus, with an increase in enrollment, a larger footprint, and membership in the American Assn. of Universities, an elite group of top research campuses. During Wilcox's tenure, the campus expanded by more than 5,000 students and 200 faculty members, opened a $87-million business school building, and launched a new medical school that is set to graduate its ninth class next month.
Hu, who will be the first Asian American chancellor of UC Riverside, gained his undergraduate degree from Tianjin University and will begin working with a salary of $824,000 per year, a slight increase over Wilcox's salary of $810,000.
Born in Hunan province, China, Hu shared his personal story as an immigrant at the regents meeting in Sacramento, emphasizing the transformative power of education. Throughout his career, Hu has championed academic programs and initiatives that have enhanced opportunities for students and faculty members, positively impacting their lives and the communities they serve.
With a background rooted in mechanical engineering and experience spanning over 20 years at the University of Michigan, Hu has developed a specialty in researching manufacturing systems. He held various faculty and administrative positions at Michigan before being appointed vice president for research in 2015, where he coordinated a research portfolio totaling $1.5 billion across multiple campuses.
Hu takes the helm of a diverse and multifaceted campus at UC Riverside, renowned for internationally ranked programs in entomology, plant and animal sciences, air pollution, and alternative fuels. The main campus covers 1,900 acres and hosts more than 26,000 students and 4,700 faculty and staff members. Despite the size and reputation, the campus often finds itself overshadowed by other UC institutions like UCLA and UC Berkeley.
As the new chancellor, Hu plans to focus on priorities such as student success, social mobility, research and scholarship, expanding healthcare access in the Inland Empire region, and community engagement. With his exceptional background in research and community outreach, Hu's tenure is set to bring fresh perspectives and invaluable contributions to UC Riverside.
- S. Jack Hu, with a background in mechanical engineering and experience in researching manufacturing systems, will bring his expertise to UC Riverside.
- The new chancellor, Hu, is poised to bring transformative changes to the Inland Empire campus, particularly in the face of deep cuts to federal funding grants.
- The university received over $40 million in federal grants last year, underscoring the importance of maintaining partnerships with federal agencies for future growth.
- Hu's tenure will be crucial as the campus navigates challenges presented by President Trump's administration, including funding cuts and threats to international students.
- The administration's revocation of substantial funding for medical and scientific research and disparagement of diversity efforts pose significant obstacles.
- Chancellor Hu will be the first Asian American chancellor of UC Riverside, and he emphasizes the transformative power of education, particularly for immigrants.
- UC Riverside is renowned for internationally ranked programs in various fields such as entomology, plant and animal sciences, air pollution, and alternative fuels.
- Despite the size and reputation, the campus often finds itself overshadowed by other UC institutions like UCLA and UC Berkeley.
- As the new chancellor, Hu plans to focus on priorities like student success, social mobility, research and scholarship, expanding healthcare access, and community engagement, bringing fresh perspectives and invaluable contributions to the campus in areas such as science, education, business, politics, and culture.
