Chancellor-designate S. Jack Hu looks ahead

S. Jack Hu was named chancellor of UC Riverside on May 28. Several days later, he traveled to UCR for some faculty, staff, and student visits. The University Relations news & content team spoke with him during his visit; following is a transcript of that conversation.

UCR News: You have held successful, long-term leadership positions at University of Michigan and at University of Georgia. You no doubt had the opportunity to ride out your career in a comfortable, rewarding environment. What compelled you instead to pursue the chancellorship at UC Riverside?

Chancellor-designate Hu:The University of California, Riverside made tremendous progress in the last 10 to 15 years, being a new member of the AAU, with student success, and in its diverse community. I think the opportunity is tremendous for me to leverage my experience working together with the students, faculty and staff, to really make the university the preeminent public research university in the country. So I think this particular opportunity is truly exciting. I look forward to working with everyone to achieve that common, shared vision.

UCR News: You have a strong background in research and growing the research enterprise of the universities for which you've worked. What changes might the campus community expect to see in your leadership?

Chancellor-designate Hu:First, I need to learn what the faculty aspirations are and understand the strengths that we have here at UC Riverside. I already know we have quite a number of areas of research that are recognized nationally and internationally, so we should continue to invest in those areas, but also identify emerging opportunities for us to invest in research. I will work with the faculty and the academic leadership to identify what those areas are. It's not really up to the chancellor to say we will invest in this and that; I will work closely together with the deans, provost, and faculty.

UCR News: Do you see opportunities for the university to grow its research enterprise, particularly given the environment we're currently in with federal research funding?

Chancellor-designate Hu:Yes, we face some challenges, significant challenges, with federal funding. But I think the opportunity for UCR to grow is tremendous.

UCR News: On June 23, UCR will break ground on SoCal Oasis Park to promote collaborations between academia and local entrepreneurs. Are there lessons from your own experience in public-private partnerships that you may draw on for the Oasis Park?

Chancellor-designate Hu: Yes, I think so. At the University of Michigan, as vice president for research, I directed the Office of Innovation and Technology Transfer. At the University of Georgia, the president and I are co-leads of the innovation district. We have done really, really well translating the university's discoveries into commercial products that are made by private corporations. UGA has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in the last nine years for the number of products that are commercialized by companies. So I have significant experience in working with the vice chancellor for research and then with the faculty, students, local entrepreneurs, and investors in really trying to bring out the technologies and the discoveries so that we can translate into products and services that benefit the community and benefit California in general.

UCR News: Your scholarship is in engineering, and your CV speaks to your experience and longstanding success in building the research enterprise of the universities for which you have worked. Can you speak to your intersections and advocacy within the humanities, arts and social sciences?

Chancellor-designate Hu:As an academic leader, either in my role as former vice president for research, or in my role at the University of Georgia as provost, I supported faculty research and scholarship in all disciplines: Humanities, arts, social sciences, applied sciences, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and medicine. So that has always been my approach, supporting all disciplines so that we can have faculty who are being recognized nationally and internationally for their scholarship.

UCR News: UCR has leading researchers in disparate areas, including AI, forever plastics, Alzheimer's, citrus, and in developing heat and drought resistant food crops. Historically, UCR researchers have been in demand at and sometimes hired away by larger universities. How can UCR retain its top researchers?

Chancellor-designate Hu: Universities always compete for talent, for faculty. I have worked at the University of Georgia very diligently in retaining top faculty. There are a number of things I think the provost, me, and deans all need to work together on. That is, create an environment where faculty feel they are supported and they have the resources to do the work they want to do. But also, I would say competitive salaries and compensations. Creating a supportive environment for the faculty is the first thing that we need to do.

UCR News: There is a presidential administration proposal to revoke the visas of some Chinese students. As an immigrant from China, what did it mean to pursue your higher education in the United States?

Chancellor-designate Hu:The United States has always been attractive to students from all backgrounds, from other countries. I was an international student 40 years ago. I think my journey is a true testament of how education in the United States can transform lives. I hope we will continue to draw students and support them from all over the world. Many of those students actually stay, just like what I did, contributing to science education, discovery, and to the quality of life of the citizens in the country. So I think we all need to understand that not every student will go back to China. Many stay here. The same thing can be true for other students from other countries. The U.S. is a true melting pot for people from all around the world.

UCR News: Like in any university, the students feel a connection with the president or the chancellor, maybe even more so than other administrators. Do you have a message or any thoughts on how you would like to shape the student experience at UCR?

Chancellor-designate Hu: I do think we need to be a student-centric university. Student success will be central in my tenure as chancellor. In fact, I have a meeting with two or three students later this morning or afternoon. Both were on the chancellor's search committee. I'm eager to meet with many students and then understand their journey at the university and their experience.

UCR News: There is a lot to do in Riverside and a lot to do in Southern California. What's on your to-do list after you move here?

Chancellor-designate Hu: There will be many things to do first in my job. I will make sure I spend the time and effort getting to know the academic leadership, deans, vice chancellors, and everyone, and getting to meet as many faculty and staff and students as much as possible. And then, if I have my weekends, my hobbies are walking, visiting museums. And I also have a hobby of playing golf. So I have to figure out where those golf courses are.

UCR News: Is there anything else you want to say before we conclude?

Chancellor-designate Hu: I think it's a great opportunity here for me and for everyone to work together, advancing excellence. The welcome has been tremendous. I've enjoyed my interactions with everyone.