Former Michigan State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Kim Wilcox will be the new chancellor of the University of California, Riverside.
The Office of the President of the University of California made the announcement today. Pending approval by the UC Board of Regents, his appointment will be effective Aug. 19. Wilcox served as MSU’s chief academic officer from 2005 until 2013.
“Kim Wilcox is a champion of higher education who added great value to this institution in his tenure as provost here,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “His work enhanced the reputation of our programs in an increasingly competitive and knowledge-based global environment. I’m pleased that he now has the opportunity to lead a campus of his own, and I look forward to working with him as a presidential colleague in the years ahead.”
Joel Ferguson, chairman of the MSU Board of Trustees, said: “My congratulations to Dr. Wilcox on his well-deserved appointment as chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. As provost, he oversaw an increase in student enrollment that did not sacrifice academic standards, as well as a number of state, national and international initiatives, including the much-needed expansion of the medical colleges. It’s been a privilege to work with Dr. Wilcox and I wish him the best. I also congratulate UC, Riverside on their excellent choice of a new chancellor.”
Wilcox came to East Lansing as provost in August 2005 from the University of Kansas. He played a crucial role in MSU’s efforts to increase the percentage of students from underrepresented groups and the graduation rate for undergraduates, as well as decrease the average time to degree and the percentage of students graduating with any accumulated debt.
He also led a statewide outreach initiative focused on making college more affordable, as well as a number of new global partnerships.
Wilcox also was a professor in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
June Youatt is currently serving as MSU’s acting provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. A national search for a full-time provost is expected to begin soon.
UC, Riverside is one of 10 universities within the University of California system. It is located 50 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
For more information, visit ucrtoday.ucr.edu.