Following more than 21 years of exemplary service to UC San Diego, Gary C. Matthews will retire on June 30, 2023. Currently in the role of Vice Chancellor, Resource Management & Planning, Matthews has served as a campus executive leader and an integral member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet for nearly 14 years.
Since his appointment as Vice Chancellor in 2009, Matthews has supervised campus-wide design and construction services; university-wide planning; energy, environment and safety initiatives; university police emergency management; facilities management and several auxiliary units, including the campus bookstore; printing and childcare services. Additionally, he has managed transportation management programs, alternative transportation, parking programs and policy and records and currently supervises more than 940 full-time staff members.
During his tenure, Matthews spearheaded the physical transformation of our campus, including comprehensive capital management projects in support of our institutional strategic plan, reimagining UC San Diego as a regional destination for students, patients and the community and a valued public asset. His leadership has resulted in the successful completion of more than $10 billion in new construction of residence halls, hospital and medical facilities, research labs, energy projects and supportive infrastructure. His system-wide leadership includes positions on the University Policing Task Force, the UC Sustainability Steering Committee, the UC Planning and Budget VC Group, and a position as chair of the UC Energy Services Governing board. He has also served on the Preuss School UC San Diego board of directors for 10 years and the Faculty Club board of directors for 15 years.
Matthews’ notable accomplishments include the development and management of a 42-megawatt peak electrical microgrid, the transition to alternative fuels for more than 50% of fleet vehicles and successful development of regional transportation initiatives such as the Mid-Coast Light Rail—now known as the UC San Diego Blue Line—and North Coast I-5 freeway improvements. Additionally, he directed development of campus design standards focused on building program development and improved safety by design and integrated technology as a force multiplier for campus safety efforts.
Matthews has also transformed UC San Diego as a leader in sustainability and environmental policy in higher education. Under Matthews’ leadership, UC San Diego became a founding member of the Leadership Circle of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, and has been recognized as a Climate Action Leader by the California Climate Action Registry for successful measurement, certification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions to the Registry and the public. Additionally, Matthews formalized campus-wide building and design standards and LEED policy for all new building and rehabilitation projects. These policies and sustainable strategies cover sustainable site development, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, water savings and indoor environmental quality.
Matthews’ career in higher education began at Stony Brook University, where he served for 26 years in several roles including Chief Facilities Officer, Assistant Vice President for Administration and Special Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action.
Throughout his career, Matthews has served as a mentor, coach and advisor to staff and students. He notes that these relationships and the opportunity to be of service to others brought him great joy, and that supporting their career aspirations and goals while building opportunities for their future success was one of the highlights of his career.
UC San Diego will conduct a national search to fill the Vice Chancellor position.
Please join me in extending our deepest gratitude to Gary for his 21 years of transformational service to UC San Diego.
