Dr. Cynthia K. Larive Named As New UC Santa Cruz Chancellor

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The University of California Board of Regents has approved Dr. Cynthia K. Larive as the 11th chancellor of UC Santa Cruz, it was announced Thursday. Larive, 61, steps into the shoes of UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal, who announced last year he would retire at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Larive has served the UC community since 2005, and since 2017 has served as provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Riverside. The board of regents approved her new salary at $425,000 annually. Her start date is July 1.

“I am deeply humbled, honored and excited to lead UC Santa Cruz—a campus of the university I love and am greatly indebted to,” Larive said. “As a first-generation college student, I experienced firsthand the capacity of higher education institutions—and that of UC in particular—to level the playing field for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, and to positively transform their lives and their futures.”

A bioanalytical chemist, Larive earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from South Dakota State University, her master’s degree in inorganic chemistry from Purdue University, and her PhD in analytical chemistry at UC Riverside.

“The breadth and scope of Dr. Larive’s academic credentials and knowledge, combined with her incredible dedication and passion for UC, make her the ideal visionary for UC Santa Cruz,” said UC President Janet Napolitano. “Her wealth of experience will help propel the campus to further its research mission, increase student and faculty diversity, and elevate its international profile.”

Carl Walsh, a distinguished professor of economics and chair of the faculty subcommittee on the chancellor search, said, “I was struck by how many of Dr. Larive’s experiences, accomplishments, and passions matched the traits that UC Santa Cruz faculty, students, staff, and alumni said they were seeking in a chancellor. Her reputation as someone who works collaboratively, aiming to bring together the entire campus community to advance the mission of the institution, makes her a great choice to lead UC Santa Cruz.”

Larive is married to Jim Larive and they have two daughters, Erin and Megan.