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By JASON GONZALEZ

The after-school routine at the Garimella household started around the table. A wave of homework quickly engulfed every inch of surface space. This signaled the highest priority for Radha Garimella and her three children — tackling the day’s assignments together. 

“Every day, we’d come home … and do it all,” said Dr. Suresh Garimella, the youngest of the children. “My parents wanted to be there. They were very, very dedicated to us and sacrificed a lot for us. We are better off now because of it.” 

That commitment to education and the opportunities it could provide set Garimella on a path of lifelong learning that would lead to a Ph.D., the titles of distinguished professor and university president, and on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 — following a unanimous vote by the �¼������ϲ� Board of Regents — the esteemed post of University of �¼������ϲ� president.  

The board, along with an appointed 18-member Presidential Search Advisory Committee, set out to find a new president who could meet the critical needs of the university and the Tucson community. Throughout the process, the board and committee engaged extensively with the community and stakeholders, hosting listening tour sessions, individual meetings and public town halls, and gathering feedback via email and a campuswide survey. The outreach efforts garnered feedback from over 4,200 students, employees and community members, providing valuable insights to inform the search.  

The feedback emphasized key desired qualities for the next president: exceptional moral character and integrity, a deep commitment to supporting first-generation college students, and strong financial acumen. These priorities guided the search for the 23rd president, ensuring the university found a leader who aligned with its values and goals.  

“Community-wide collaboration was essential to us being successful in this search. The product of that success is a generational talent — President Designate Garimella,” said �¼������ϲ� Executive Director Chad Sampson. “He has the acumen of a great academic, a great administrator and a great leader. He is already very focused on what the University of �¼������ϲ� will need to be successful.” 

The search committee and board identified Dr. Garimella as their “unicorn” — a rare, exceptional and transformative leader.  

“We did the research, and Dr. Garimella checked every box. It is rare to find someone who meets all the priorities, and he did,” �¼������ϲ� Chair Cecilia Mata said. “He has consistently demonstrated exceptional communication skills and a track record of delivering results.”  

The same ambition, gratitude and humility that directed the Garimella family’s daily homework sessions still guide Dr. Garimella as a national leader in higher education. These characteristics have been driving forces throughout his nearly 35-year career and will serve as a foundation for ushering the U of A into a new era of discovery and navigating out of what he sees as “short-term challenges.”   

Leading with bold vision 

Propelling organizations forward has defined Dr. Garimella’s career. As president at the University of Vermont, which, like the U of A, is land-grant university, he led with a bold vision and thoughtful financial discipline. At Purdue University, Dr. Garimella was executive vice president of research and partnerships and a distinguished professor of mechanical engineering. He is a highly cited scholar and researcher, serves on several national-level boards and councils, yet remains steadfast in his commitment to teaching and mentoring students. Dr. Garimella also recognizes the transformative impact dedicated faculty can have on students' academic and personal growth and a university's overall success. 

The achievements add up to an impressive 71-page resume. However, they all take a backseat to Dr. Garimella’s focus on students. At the family table, where academic rigor and ambition were constant companions, Sastry and Radha Garimella also instilled in their three children a profound sense of gratitude and humility. These lessons would last a lifetime and inspire a passion for creating opportunity for all, specifically students.  

“I’ve never viewed any of my achievements as steppingstones for my own glorification. It is always about the university. Humility and institutional pride will guide me in my service to our students and this university,” said Dr. Garimella, who often advocates for what he calls the “missing millions” — individuals who never make it to college. “I think opportunity ties all that together. If you can make opportunity available, so many more people can thrive.”  

Adriana Grijalva, president of the Associated Students of the University of �¼������ϲ�, was struck by Dr. Garimella’s posture of gratitude during their first exchange. As the representative of nearly 40,000 undergraduates, Grijalva said she felt seen and valued as they engaged in a meaningful discussion about her family, student concerns, student government and her personal well-being. 

Within minutes of the board of regents’ approval vote, Garimella began seven consecutive hours of in-person and virtual meetings with university leadership, committees, students, faculty and staff.  

“It was really nice to have somebody hear you and be willing to listen and ask questions,” said Grijalva, a U of A junior majoring in political science.  “From my experience, he can talk very well with students. That is something out of the start that I noticed. I’m looking forward to working with him.” 

Myla Gonzalez, a public health major on track to graduate in December, said she was excited to learn about Dr. Garimella’s willingness to hear more student voices and celebrate their successes. Ruthie Ibeji, a junior, is a student-worker for university events and has felt the sting of budget cuts leading to fewer work hours. The pharmacy major said she is hopeful the new president will keep a strong pulse on all corners of campus, particularly the university’s financial stewardship. She said she looks forward to the “ice cream socials,” a tradition the president designate looks forward to bringing to U of A to foster meaningful connections with students and faculty. 

Garimella’s approachable leadership style was on display during an impromptu stop at a salsa-tasting contest in the lobby of The Commons and Chemistry Building at the U of A on Aug. 9. Without hesitation, Dr. Garimella welcomed the invitation to grab a chip and sample salsa while connecting with members of his new Wildcat family.  

“For him to engage with everybody was fantastic,” said Olivia Mendoza, who has been at the university for over 30 years in different roles and currently serves as a senior program coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “Dr. Garimella is going to be great for the university. A lot of us are excited.”  

Mendoza hinted that the department’s next tasting contest might shift to guacamole, one of Dr. Garimella’s favorite foods.  

The excitement around Dr. Garimella began the moment the search committee reviewed him as a prospect. Committee member Fletcher McCusker used the words “polished … humble … smart” to describe his first impression of Dr. Garimella. McCusker, a Tucson native, U of A alumnus, CEO of UAVenture Capital and member of the U of A’s FORGE Strategic Advisory Council, said he was won over by Dr. Garimella’s experience, character and personality. 

McCusker is confident the university has found a collaborator, someone who can team-build and is willing to “make the rounds, visit everybody and anybody, one-on-one.” 

“He gets it,” McCusker said.  

Dr. Garimella’s first weekend on campus was marked by a deliberate approach: listening and learning. This stance reflected what he described as a core commitment to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and ideas are valued, and students are encouraged to explore, share and grow. 

“I don’t yet have all the answers,” he said, “but with my experience, coupled with humility and great pride for this university, I’m ready to get started and Bear Down.”