Chancellor Kim Wilcox to Receive 2025 Riverside Hero Award

Chancellor Kim Wilcox of UC Riverside will receive the 2025 Riverside Hero Award at the upcoming Mayor’s State of the City Address on January 30. The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce selected Wilcox for this honor in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the community.

As UCR's ninth chancellor, Wilcox has overseen transformative growth. Under his leadership, enrollment has surged by 25%, and the university has welcomed two Nobel Laureates to its faculty. The campus has also expanded by over two million square feet, with notable projects including the School of Medicine expansion and the North District development.

UCR’s reputation has flourished during Wilcox’s tenure. The university is now ranked number one for social mobility and has been the fastest-rising university for five consecutive years. Key milestones include achieving R1 status for research activity, surpassing $200 million in annual research spending in 2023, and joining the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).

Beyond the university, Wilcox has played a pivotal role in advancing the local community. He collaborated with the City of Riverside and the Chamber to bring the California Air Resources Board's Southern California facility to the city, strengthening its role as a hub for innovation and sustainability.

The Riverside Hero Award honors individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to elevating the community at the state or national level in the past year.

The State of the City Address, themed “Our Time Is Now,” will be delivered by Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson at the Riverside Convention Center. The event will gather business and community leaders to celebrate Riverside’s achievements and recognize distinguished honorees.