A University of Georgia administrator who immigrated from China was named the new chancellor of UC Riverside and will replace Kim A. Wilcox.
The UC Regents unanimously approved the appointment of Jack Hu, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, at a special Wednesday, May 28, meeting. Hu will take the helm at UCR on July 15.
RELATED: UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox will retire after 12 years
Hu was born in Hunan Province, China, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Tianjin University. Following his undergraduate studies, he moved to Michigan, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering.
He will earn an annual salary of $824,000.
During his remarks to the regents, Hu said he was grateful for the trust the board placed in him. Hu said that, when he arrived in the United States 40 years ago, he did not know he would end up in a position to lead a university such as UC Riverside.
“My journey in academia is a testament to the transformative power of education,” Hu said.
Hu said he looks forward to working with the community to bring the university to its next stage.
“I am excited to collaborate with all of you,” Hu said, “…To work together to transform the lives of people in California, the nation and the world through education.”
Hu was named senior vice president for academic affairs and provost for the University of Georgia in 2019. He previously served as vice president for research at the University of Michigan as well as the associate dean for academic affairs and associate dean for research and graduate education in the university’s College of Engineering.
“Over his distinguished career at leading public research institutions, Dr. Hu has championed innovation and academic initiatives that have increased opportunities for students and faculty and have positively impacted their lives and the communities they serve,” University of California President Michael Drake said in a news release. “UC Riverside has established itself as a global leader in providing world-class scholarship. Dr. Hu has the academic acumen and collaborative mindset to move the campus forward with integrity and purpose.”
Wilcox announced his retirement in September after 12 years overseeing UCR. At the time of his retirement, Wilcox’s 12-year term as chancellor will have been surpassed only by Ivan Hinderaker, who led the campus from 1964 to 1979.
Wilcox was confirmed as chancellor in August 2013 and replaced interim Chancellor Jane Close Conoley. He was provost of Michigan State University from 2005 to 2013.
In January, Wilcox was honored by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce with the 2025 Riverside Hero Award. The award goes to a group or person who has “made a significant contribution to promote the community at the state and/or national level during the past year,” a news release stated.
In 2024, Wilcox led negotiations to end the Pro-Palestine encampments erected at UCR in spring. The university was the first in the UC system to reach such an agreement with protesters.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Originally Published:
