Greetings from the University of California, San Diego

As Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, I am honored to host the IHE US Universities and Colleges Summit 2027.

With the theme “Transformational impact by design”, this invite-only convening brings together Presidents, Chancellors and Provosts for candid peer-to-peer exchange on the real challenges facing higher education today.

At UC San Diego, we know that impact is built through intentional choices in research, teaching, campus design and innovation. Hosting the summit on our campus offers an opportunity to explore that conviction together in a setting defined by research excellence and strategic campus planning.

The agenda is built around three interlocking tracks drawn from our strategic plan:

Physical transformation: Building for the future

How intentional campus design and infrastructure drive impact – from student housing and health infrastructure to labs, learning spaces and sustainable planning that supports enrollment growth, research capacity and community well-being.

Intellectual transformation: Advancing knowledge and competitiveness

How institutions advance research, innovation and medical breakthroughs as drivers of regional and national competitiveness – including AI, translating discovery into practice and building resilient research enterprises amid shifting policy and funding pressures.

Cultural transformation: Cultivating community and student success

How institutions shape campus culture to foster belonging, resilience and long-term success through student-centeredness, innovation in pedagogy, university best practices, career readiness and holistic support.

Together, these conversations will address technological disruption, funding pressures and evolving public expectations, and what our responses mean for long-term strategy, resilience and public trust.

I look forward to welcoming you to UC San Diego for a conversation about building transformational impact by design.

Pradeep K Khosla

Chancellor

Joan and Irwin Jacobs Chancellor's Endowed Chair

University of California, San Diego

About the University of California, San Diego

At the University of California, San Diego, a culture of risk-taking, collaboration and innovation emerged early on. Established in 1960, UC San Diego has been shaped by exceptional scholars who aren’t afraid to push boundaries, challenge expectations and redefine conventional wisdom in order to make our world better. Today, that creative and courageous spirit drives discovery and impact far beyond campus.

Located along the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California, UC San Diego is a vibrant destination where world-class academics, research, arts, culture and community come together. From public art and cultural experiences to state-of-the-art recreation and Division I athletics, the university welcomes curious minds, San Diegans and visitors alike. Situated within one of the world’s leading life sciences and innovation hubs, UC San Diego is part of a dynamic ecosystem of companies, research institutes and a highly skilled workforce.

With more than 400 new invention disclosures and 90 US patents, UC San Diego’s innovators transform ideas into real-world impact. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers are advancing Alzheimer’s treatments and developing innovative stem-cell therapies; engineers at the Jacobs School are pioneering materials to strengthen resilience against earthquakes and fires; and scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography are partnering with public health experts to measure air quality in the Tijuana River Valley. Together, these efforts demonstrate how UC San Diego accelerates discovery, improves lives and creates lasting impact.

At the heart of UC San Diego’s mission are more than 46,000 students who enrich its vibrant academic community with diverse perspectives. 32% of newly enrolled undergraduates were Pell Grant recipients, and more than one-third are on a path to become the first in their families to earn a college degree. Through transformative educational experiences, hands-on research and collaboration, UC San Diego empowers the next generation of change-makers.

Triton Athletics made National Collegiate Athletic Association history in 2025 when both men’s and women’s basketball teams reached March Madness in their first year of Division I eligibility. With a 93% scholar-athlete graduation rate, Tritons demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics. Beyond the classroom, a vibrant campus experience connects students through arts, culture and entertainment, from the Stuart Collection’s nearly two dozen artworks to performances at the Epstein Family Amphitheater.

With world-class academics, ground-breaking research and a vibrant campus experience rich in arts, culture and entertainment, UC San Diego is a destination for students, faculty and visitors from around the world.

 Visit UCSD's website