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Since coming to the UA, Robbins has traveled Q: What are a few of the greatest ‘My hope is that we’ll
around Arizona and the U.S. to introduce himself opportunities you see for the university? focus on bringing
to the UA’s alumni and donor communities, with A: There are so many opportunities at the University
receptions in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff and of Arizona, from agriculture to space to human diverse groups
Pinetop as well as San Diego, Orange County and health. One of the most incredible things I have seen together around some
San Francisco. He also has visited New York City, so far at the university is the Precision Medicine
Washington, D.C. and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Initiative cohort program, which is funded by common goals.’
Robbins will continue to meet with UA alumni the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is a
around the country throughout the first year of his partnership with Banner Health and several other — Robert C. Robbins
presidency. He hopes to engage alumni and donors academic medical centers around the country. This
as he works to advance priorities for the UA and the program uses the university’s expertise in genetics
Arizona Board of Regents, which include ensuring a and genomic medicine to better understand how we
first-class student experience, leadership in health can individualize medicine. It has the potential to
sciences teaching and research, and enhanced revolutionize how we think about and practice health
marketing and branding. care. This is just one of the incredible examples
of how the UA puts knowledge into practice. Our
Q: Why the University of Arizona? biggest opportunities are in doing this across the
A: The University of Arizona is an amazing place university, from research to student learning.
that has everything I could have hoped for —
outstanding students, world-class faculty who This environment and this moment are tailor-
have achieved tremendous success in research and made for the University of Arizona because we
discovery that has the UA ranked in the top 25 of have a history of collaboration across disciplines
public universities in research expenditures. And and of translating new knowledge to address the
it is capable of creating positive change throughout problems and challenges we face. Part of this is
the world on multiple levels. Scholars throughout the university’s land-grant history — service to
the world recently ranked the University of Arizona Arizona, especially in agriculture, by making
among the top 100 public and private universities expertise accessible and active on behalf of people
in the world (top 42 in the U.S.). I knew from the and communities. With this history, we can
moment I was a candidate the UA was a perfect and should be on the leading edge of the fourth
fit for me and that I would be inspired to do industrial revolution, which will change how we
everything I can to grow and maximize its impact.
All universities have excellent missions — to convey
existing knowledge and discover new knowledge.
However, the UA takes these missions to a new
level. We do not just teach students, we engage
them in experiences that prepare them for the
world when they graduate and for decades beyond.
We do not just do research, we are at the forefront
of discoveries that will change how we view the
world, like the OSIRIS-REx mission, and how we live
our lives, like the Precision Medicine Initiative.

After I was named president and moved to Tucson,
I started making visits to campus when I could talk
with students, faculty, staff and even visitors on an
informal basis, and I found out that the community
of people who live and work here make the UA really
special. The UA’s history of collaborative research
and learning is a great foundation. We have an
incredible team of champions and — as I’ve said
— I want to help create a championship team.

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