(Marina, CA) - University of California, Santa Cruz

Chancellor Cynthia K. Larive will assume the role of incoming board chair for the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. A collaborative leader known widely for her commitment to student success, inclusion and equity, Larive has promoted innovation and regional prosperity through the advancement of cutting-edge research and wider educational access.
Larive is an accomplished bioanalytical chemist who has published more than 150 scientific papers, led numerous programs for undergraduate research and curricular innovation, and written more than two dozen articles on active learning, mentoring and experiential learning. Since arriving at UCSC in 2019, Larive has prioritized improving graduation rates and eliminating graduation gaps for low-income and first-generation students, and for those from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
She also has been a booster of regional economic development, fostering the university’s relationship with Startup Sandbox, the premier local technology incubator, and launching the UCSC Innovation and Business Engagement Hub to give potential industry partners and supporters a clear point of entry to the campus innovation ecosystem.

Larive is a first-generation college graduate, having earned her bachelor’s from South Dakota State and master’s from Purdue, both in chemistry. She received a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from UC Riverside.

“MBEP’s goals — equitable economic development, high-quality educational and health-care systems, and environmental preservation — align with what many of us in this region are working toward,” Chancellor Cynthia Larive said. “Convening local leaders and working together is how we can advance this vision and ensure our communities thrive.”

MBEP President and CEO Tahra Goraya welcomed Larive’s leadership:

“The board and I are delighted that Chancellor Larive will be serving as board president. She is a wonderful collaborative leader and I look forward to not only working with her in this new capacity but also her mentorship and guidance on our key initiatives through the triple bottom line of equity, environment and a thriving economy.”

Goraya added that she appreciates the growth and evolution of MBEP under outgoing board President Eduardo Ochoa: “We are grateful for his leadership and vision.”

"The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership serves an essential role in furthering a thriving future for the region,” said Dr. Ochoa. “Chancellor Larive's focus on the technology sector at UC Santa Cruz is a strong indicator of the outstanding leadership and advocacy she will bring to her tenure as chair of the board of MBEP. The board will benefit from her spirit of collaboration as she continues the work of strengthening our regional economy. I congratulate Dr. Larive on her new role and I trust that she will find it as enriching and rewarding as I did over these past years."

About Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is a regional member-supported nonprofit organization consisting of public, private, and civic entities located throughout the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. Founded in 2015, our mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the region.

About UC Santa Cruz

A global research university with an uncommon emphasis on undergraduate research and education, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the most renowned institutions of higher learning. It leads at the intersection of innovation and social justice.

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Contact: Marie Vasari Hislop

mvhislop@gmail.com / ‭(831) 224-2132‬