Córdova Accepts UC Riverside Chancellorship, Will Start July 1

France A. Córdova, a nationally recognized astrophysicist who has been UCSB's vice chancellor for research since 1996, was named chancellor of UC Riverside last week.

Acting on the recommendation of UC President Richard C. Atkinson, the Board of Regents unanimously appointed her the seventh chancellor of UCR. Córdova, whose appointment is effective July 1, succeeds Raymond L. Orbach as chancellor. She will be paid $265,200 a year, the same salary as her predecessor.

"France Córdova brings outstanding academic credentials, solid leadership experience, a commitment to educational opportunity, and a talent for working cooperatively with both the campus community and the broader community," Atkinson said. "Her enthusiasm, intelligence, charisma, and record of achievement will make her a superb chancellor for UC Riverside."

Chancellor Henry Yang expressed Santa Barbara's mixed feelings when he said: "I feel happy and excited, and pleased and proud, that UC Riverside is gaining an outstanding leader as its next chancellor. But this news is also bittersweet to those of us at UCSB, because we are losing a dear colleague and friend."

Córdova emerged as Atkinson's top choice for the position after a national search that produced more than 200 candidates.

"I am deeply honored by this appointment, and I look forward to joining the Riverside community," Córdova said. "Riverside is a beautiful city, and UC Riverside is a vibrant institution with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and public service. I eagerly anticipate working with the faculty, students, staff, alumni, neighbors and friends of UCR to build on the progress and distinguished achievements they have made."

Located in the rapidly growing Inland Empire region of Southern California, Riverside is also the fastest-growing campus in the UC system. In fall 2001, UCR enrolled 14,429 studentsó10 percent more than the year beforeóand employed 6,143 faculty and staff. The 1,200-acre campus, which was founded in 1907 as a citrus ex-periment station, now has an annual budget of more than $312 million.

Córdova, 54, served as chief scientist at NASA before coming to UC Santa Barbara six years ago. She previously headed the department of astronomy and astrophysics at Pennsylvania State University and served as deputy group leader of the Space Astronomy and Astrophysics Group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

As vice chancellor, she initiated a program to encourage and fund research across disciplines. She also spearheaded a campuswide effort to increase opportunities for students to engage in research, establishing panels of faculty and students, and allocating funding to encourage undergraduate research, among other things.

She was named one of the "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business magazine in 1997 and again this year has been named one of "80 Elite Hispanic Women" by the magazine.