Photos by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

UC Regent Kieffer Marks UC San Diego’s Success with Students, Faculty and Staff

UC Regent George Kieffer visited UC San Diego last week to see first-hand the wide-ranging research of our faculty and to meet with UC San Diego community leaders to discuss a broad range of topics impacting the University of California and UC San Diego.

Kieffer met with representatives from the UC San Diego Staff Association, Student Affairs, the School of Medicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Academic Senate, Associated Students and the Graduate Student Association. Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and members of the Chancellor’s cabinet also met with Kieffer during his two-day visit.

Regent Kieffer takes a "selfie" with Allyson Osorio, A.S. vice president for external affairs.

“We are pleased Regent Kieffer had this opportunity to experience UC San Diego and see the research underway that is solving the complex issues facing our world,” said Chancellor Khosla. “From the Moores Cancer Center to the Hydraulics Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego faculty and students provided Regent Kieffer with a glimpse of the teaching and research that has made our campus among the best in the world.”

In conversations across campus, Kieffer discussed issues that included the innovative research conducted at UC San Diego, diversity, staff compensation, and graduate education. Kieffer and students also had candid discussions around the topics of tuition and nonresident enrollment as they relate to access and affordability.

“It is clear Regent Kieffer has a passion for education and a dedication to serving students—principles we strongly embrace here at UC San Diego,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Juan González.

At the Moores Cancer Center, Kieffer was briefed by Paul S. Viviano, Chief Executive Officer for UC San Diego Health System and Associate Vice Chancellor for UC San Diego Health Sciences, and Scott M. Lippman, Director of the Moores Cancer Center, about the campus’ plans to enhance medical care for San Diegans. 

In addition, Kieffer had the opportunity to see the interdisciplinary research underway by Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty, researchers and students. He learned about the cutting-edge research of the Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment (CAICE) from Director Kim Prather.

In his talks with students, Kieffer expressed his appreciation for UC San Diego.

“This is one of the most exciting campuses in the system,” Kieffer said during a meeting with and Allyson Osorio, A.S. Vice president for external affairs, and Amber Hawthorne, A.S. vice president of campus affairs. “I have seen this place change so much. UC San Diego has made unbelievable progress over the years. The research on this campus is incredible and gaining a lot of momentum.”

GSA president Jonathan Monk.

In meetings with members of UC San Diego’s Graduate Student Association, Kieffer discussed the growing reputation of UC San Diego’s academic programs.

“I saw the recent news that the campus was ranked the 18th best university in the world by the U.S. News and World Report…UC San Diego deserves this recognition and the reputation of this place will continue to rise,” he said.

Kieffer, who has served on the UC Board of Regents since 2009, spoke with Osorio and Hawthorne about his years as an undergraduate, including serving in student government.

Osorio added, “We really appreciate Regent Kieffer taking the time to visit UC San Diego and speak directly with students about issues that are really important to us.”

After earning a degree in history from UC Santa Barbara, Kieffer went on to earn a J.D. degree from UCLA. Today, Kieffer is a partner and member of the Executive Committee of the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP. He focuses on regulatory issues and oversees major business litigation, and business transactions.

In 2010, Kieffer was named by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals as one of the "Top 100" attorneys in California. He also has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2011 editions.

Kieffer successfully chaired the City of Los Angeles Appointed Commission and was charged with rewriting the Los Angeles City Charter. The revised City Charter, the first full revision in 75 years, was adopted in 1999.