Strategic Plan

A group of students walking to class

A Thriving Campus Community

Chair

Vice Chair

Committee on Thriving Campus Community: 
Chair: Xuan Liu, Biochemistry
Vice Chair: Eddie Comeaux, GSOE

Faculty Members:

  • Susan Straight, Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing, CHASS
  • Jennifer Hughes, Associate Professor of History, CHASS
  • Christiane Weirauch, Professor of Entomology, CNAS
  • Subramanian Balachander, Professor of Area of Marketing, BUS
  • Manu Sridharan, Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering, BCOE

Staff Members:

  • Ellen Whitehead, Student Affairs
  • Julie Chobdee, Wellness Program Coordinator
  • Ross French, School of Medicine and Past President, Staff Assembly
  • Frank Figueroa, Financial & Administrative Manager, Enrollment Services 
Community Member: Brent Lee, Alumnus and Community Member

Academic Leaders:

  • Kelechi Kalu, Vice Provost, International Affairs
  • Anil Deolalikar Dean of the School of Public Policy
  • Steven Mandeville Gamble, University Librarian
  • Christine Mata, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs & Deans of Students 

Administrative Leaders: 

  • Mariam Lam, AVC for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/CHASS
  • Andrew Laratt-Smith, Ombuds
Foundation/Alumni Board Member: Ken Noller
Graduate Student: Jared Smith 
Undergraduate Student: Brendan Rooks, Recreation Governing Board
Supporting Staff Member: Deanna Wheeler, Graduate School of Education

Committee Charge 

The Thriving Campus Community strategic planning committee will work collaboratively and engage in broad discussions and thoughtful analysis to produce the questions, goals, metrics, and summary recommendations that will guide the further development of a vibrant, collaborative and inclusive campus community. Our campus commitment to diversity and inclusion requires that we work to establish an inclusive campus environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel welcome, respected, and supported as each individual strives to achieve their true potential. A thriving campus community extends beyond its borders to engage its city and region to positively influence our broader environment. It creates excitement by including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members in enriching activities including the arts, athletics, botanical gardens, public lectures, and opportunities to engage in life-long learning. The committee should explore efforts to build, coordinate, expand, leverage and sustain these types of activities. This effort will culminate in a 5-10 page document, due in Spring 2020 that will be shared with the campus community. Following an opportunity for feedback, this report will be synthesized with those of the other committees to produce the strategic plan. 

The committee will be led by a chair and vice-chair and supported by a staff member who will partner closely with the chair and vice-chair while also serving as a contributing member of the committee. The staff member will assist the chair and vice-chair by helping facilitate communications, organize and schedule meetings and summarize meeting discussions. 

In this work, the committee will integrate the discussion and analysis of UCR's values as they impact our efforts to build and maintain a thriving campus community. As this effort is critically important to the future of UCR, it is important that committee members act and think as campus representatives, rather than constituents of their own department, college or office. Because the work will be carried out over the coming year, committee members must commit to sustained and listen carefully, engaging each other and the larger campus community in respectful dialog.