Dear UC Riverside Community, As part of our institutional obligations under recent state legislation—Senate Bill 98 (2025) and the continuing provisions of Assembly Bill 21 (2017)—I write to share important guidance related to potential immigration enforcement activities at or near UC Riverside.

Dear Colleagues, In late September, the University of California announced the 2026 changes to medical plan contributions. For employees in certain medical plans and in specific salary bands, including those enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente health care plan, the changes included higher premiums.

Kathryn Uhrich has been appointed as UCR’s faculty athletics representative, or FAR, effective Oct. 1. She will work closely with intercollegiate athletics as a faculty voice in promoting the academic, health, and social welfare of student athletes. She will serve as an important leader and mentor for our student athletes and will play an integral role in their academic support. The FAR, which monitors campus compliance with NCAA rules, will be a key representative on the Big West Council and with the NCAA. The position reports to the chancellor.

Dear Campus Community, As the academic year approaches, we would like to reaffirm our shared commitment to the Principles of Community—and to remind all students and employees of their rights and responsibilities regarding free expression on our campus.

Dear Campus Community, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Almazan as interim director of intercollegiate athletics at UC Riverside, effective August 22, 2025. 

Dear Campus Community, I’m pleased to announce two important interim campus leadership appointments. Beginning Aug. 16, Kim McDade will step into the role of interim vice chancellor for University Advancement. Kim currently serves as chief financial and administrative officer for University Advancement and vice president and CFO of the UC Riverside Foundation.

Dear Campus Community,  Wes Mallette has announced that he will step down as director of intercollegiate athletics, effective August 21, to become deputy athletics director/chief marketing officer at the University of South Carolina.   Wes joined UC Riverside in 2018 as chief of staff and senior associate athletics director for external affairs, where he played a key role in rebranding efforts. He later stepped into leadership as interim athletics director amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dear Members of the UCR Community, Today, I begin my service as the 10th Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. I am honored to join this extraordinary institution, one that is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, research distinction, and transformative impact on students and communities alike. Thank you all for the warm welcome.

UC Riverside Chancellor-designate S. Jack Hu met with university and student leaders during a brief visit and tour of campus on Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30. The quick stop came a day after University of California President Michael V. Drake announced Hu’s selection as UCR’s next chancellor on Wednesday, May 28. A senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia, Hu will begin his new role on July 15.