2024 has been a year of extraordinary growth and transformation at UC Irvine. We pushed the boundaries of knowledge with groundbreaking research and innovative programs, empowering our community to reach new heights.

UCI Health marked a historic acquisition, and the first graduating cohort of UC Irvine’s pioneering LIFTED program heralded a significant milestone in higher education. We celebrated the 20^th anniversary of PRIME-LC and hosted vibrant community events like the Lunar New Year festival and the Anti-Cancer Challenge. Together, we’ve built a brighter future for UC Irvine and beyond.

Capturing the Anteater spirit

From an energetic homecoming celebration to a momentous commencement, 2024 offered extraordinary student experiences at UC Irvine. The campus sparkled with excitement, from the warm reception of Welcome Week to the buzzing UROP Symposium. The year was further highlighted by generous naming gifts to the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences and the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health – as well as funding for the growth of cardiovascular research and care – all of which will fuel future student success.

Inspiring possibilities

The UCI Health SeniorHealth Center partnered with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts to bring the innovative Strokestra program to Orange County. This music-based rehabilitation workshop empowers stroke survivors to advance their recovery through inventive group music-making. The collaboration culminated with patients, caregivers and music students creating music together, fostering healing and well-being.

On June 20, the inaugural class of 23 incarcerated students graduated from the Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees program, a first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of California. LIFTED participants receive in-person instruction from UC Irvine professors on their way to earning B.A.s in sociology.

In the community

Throughout the year, the campus comes alive with myriad cultural events that honor traditions and foster a sense of belonging. From the Lunar New Year festival to La Bienvenida and Día de los Muertos, these celebrations showcase the rich heritage of our diverse campus community.

Historic expansion of healthcare access and academic medicine

The new Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building at UCI Health – Irvine opened its doors in July. The five-story, 225,000-square-foot facility is designed to meet patient needs in an environmentally friendly location close to home. A “one-stop shop” for cancer care and outpatient surgery services, it gives patients immediate access to a multidisciplinary team of experts in their specific disease, as well as all diagnostic and support services, ideally coordinated in a single visit.

UCI Health hosted a vibrant open house to celebrate the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building as well as the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care, which had opened in April. Hundreds of community members and co-workers joined the ribbon-cutting and tours to mark this historic expansion of access to academic medicine.

In February, UCI Health and Lifepoint Rehabilitation broke ground on an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Irvine. The UCI Health Rehabilitation Hospital is a joint venture that was announced in 2022. It is expected to open in 2025.

Graduating medical students found out on Match Day – held simultaneously at all U.S. medical schools on Friday, March 15, this year – where they would serve their residencies. At UC Irvine’s festive, emotional event, 99 future physicians learned where they will be starting their careers after earning their M.D.s in May.

The Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community welcomed its 20^th class to the School of Medicine. PRIME-LC was revolutionary in medical education; the dual-degree program was the first in the nation to provide medical training designed to meet the increasing demand for physicians and public health leaders who could address the distinct needs of Latinos.

UCI Health Anti-Cancer Challenge

The eighth annual Anti-Cancer Challenge set new records with 4,200 passionate participants and a remarkable $1.5 million raised to combat cancer. The Oct. 5 event was the largest ever and was held in Aldrich Park to support research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and its pediatric affiliate, Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Great Minds Think Together

In October, we launched the Great Minds campaign, a celebration of how the collaborative spirit at UC Irvine drives meaningful change. Through compelling stories, we’re showcasing the groundbreaking research and innovative solutions that are transforming lives—right here in Orange County, throughout Southern California, and across the globe. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to continue highlighting how UC Irvine’s work creates real impact in our communities and beyond, proving that the brightest ideas shine even brighter when we come together.

Discover more about the Great Minds campaign and explore the stories behind the impact on our campaign site.