McClendon Appointed UCR Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative

UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox today announced the appointment of Rodney McClendon, JD, Ph.D., most recently Vice President for Administration at Texas A&M University, as UCR Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services.

Rodney McClendon

McClendon’s service to UCR is scheduled to begin in February.

McClendon is an accomplished academic administrator who previously worked at Texas A&M in leadership positions over a career that has included service at the College Station campus as Chief of Staff to the President, and as Assistant Provost, as well as service on the Galveston campus as a Vice President and CEO, and as COO.

In addition, between appointments at A&M, he served as Senior Vice President for Operations and Senior Associate Vice President for Administration at the University of North Texas. He began his career in higher education as a residence hall director for Morehouse College, his undergraduate alma mater.

“I am very pleased to recommend to President Napolitano the selection of Rodney McClendon for this position,” said Wilcox. “His skills and values make him an excellent fit with UCR’s leadership team, and he has the vision and experience to help us achieve our aspirations. During his campus visit, he impressed students, faculty, and staff alike with his commitment, integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to lead strategically.”

McClendon indicated his sincere desire to be of service to UCR:

“I am enthusiastic about joining a university whose values toward academic excellence, humanity, service excellence, and integrity are consistent with my own values, and I am pleased to accept Chancellor Wilcox’s nomination to become UC Riverside’s next Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services.”

“I believe the Business and Administrative Services Unit exists to help facilitate faculty and the university administration’s ability to achieve UCR’s teaching, research, and public service missions, as well as to foster opportunities for community engagement,” McClendon said. “My goal is to be a leader who embraces and respects UCR’s rich history and culture, while continuing to build and lead a world-class team committed to the holistic excellence prescribed in UCR 2020, the campus’ strategic plan. I am committed to helping UCR achieve those imperatives.”

Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services ensures the University of California, Riverside’s enterprise-wide business units optimally support UCR’s trifold mission of teaching, research, and public service.

The position leads a diverse workforce of about 600 employees, including managerial, professional, administrative, service, technical, and skilled trade staff. The position provides leadership and vision to ensure effective operation of divisions that include:

• Financial Services (financial control and accountability, payroll services, accounting services, and student business services, including the main cashier’s office)
• Human Resources (staff and employee development, compensation, workplace health and wellness, labor relations, and HR policies and programs)
• Facilities Management (physical plant, transportation, parking, fleet services, environmental health and safety)
• Materiel Management (campus purchasing, equipment management, receiving, printing and mail services, storehouse, and business agreements))
• Capital Programs (space planning, design and construction/architects and engineers, real estate)
• University of California Police Department, Riverside

McClendon will earn $286,000 in annual salary, as well as a relocation allowance and a five percent  monthly contribution to the Senior Management Supplemental Benefit Program, worth $14,300 annually.