RIVERSIDE, Calif.– UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox announced today the appointment of Cynthia K. Larive as provost and executive vice chancellor, effective Nov. 1. Professor Larive has served in the role on an interim basis since Feb. 21, 2017.
A respected scholar of bioanalytical chemistry, Larive joined the UCR faculty in 2005. She brings exceptional administrative experience on the campus, having served as vice provost for undergraduate education, interim dean of the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, divisional dean for physical and mathematical sciences, and chemistry department chair.
“In each of her leadership roles, Cindy has brought strategic vision, creativity, and exceptional collaborative abilities,” Wilcox said. “As interim provost, she has been incredibly effective in sustaining momentum on our path to preeminence.”
In consulting with faculty and campus leadership, Wilcox found there to be unanimous and enthusiastic support for Larive’s permanent appointment as provost. In addition, Wilcox conferred with executive search firms and determined that a national search would be unlikely to yield a more qualified candidate.
Larive’s work on campus has positively impacted UCR’s diverse students, faculty, and staff. She served as co-principal investigator on a highly competitive National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As chief academic officer for the campus, Larive has been a leading voice in diversifying the faculty, enriching the student experience, and challenging her colleagues to be bold.
“I feel honored to be asked to continue the critical work of leading UCR toward a brighter future,” said Larive. “As we consider the opportunities posed by re-accreditation, developing a new academic strategic plan, and continuing to grow our superb faculty, expand our research capacity, and prepare our students to lead in a constantly changing world, it feels like anything is possible for our young campus.”
Before arriving at UCR, Larive was a professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas, where she began what has become a productive and successful research career. She has received funding from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and a range of foundation and corporate grantmakers. Larive is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has received campus and national recognition for her research, teaching, and leadership. She received a national award from the American Chemical Society for education and has received grants to improve the teaching of analytical chemistry across the country. She also received the campus innovative teaching award.
Larive is a first-generation college graduate, having earned her Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University and master’s degree from Purdue University, both in chemistry. She received a doctorate in analytical chemistry from UC Riverside in 1992 while raising two young daughters, Erin and Megan, with her husband, Jim.
As provost, Larive will continue overseeing UCR’s academic units, academic personnel, undergraduate education, international affairs, administrative resolution, and information technology solutions. She will also retain her essential leadership role in campuswide initiatives, including UCR’s efforts to achieve a 2:1 ratio of new first-year California resident students to transfer students; planning for the 125,000 square-foot Multi-Disciplinary Research Building I; and ongoing development of a new campus budget framework.
Cindy Larive, left, started her faculty career at UCR in 2005.