Official Blog | UCGPC

Gregory Blake Hutchins, M.A., is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science who serves as the Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) for the Graduate Student Association (GSA) at UC Riverside for the 2025–2026 academic year, bringing deep experience in advocacy, labor organizing, and public service to the UCGPC Board. Before stepping into this role, he served as UC Advocacy Officer for GSA, where he helped advance systemwide initiatives to represent graduate student interests across University of California campuses.

A proud Highlander through and through, Greg is pursuing his Ph.D. in Political Science at UC Riverside, where his dissertation research explores how perceptions of deservingness shape public attitudes and policy preferences toward the unsheltered. His broader academic interests bridge California politics, local governance, and the political economy of organized labor—fields that reflect his longstanding commitment to equity and social change.

Beyond the classroom, Greg plays an active role in bridging university and community partnerships. At the Inland Empire Labor and Community Center at UC Riverside (IELCC), he serves as Senior Advisor and Lead Graduate Researcher, supporting key research initiatives such as the State of Work report series, the Thrive Inland SoCal labor market analysis, and the launch of a new Policy Brief series. In this capacity, he helps connect the center’s research to local unions, community organizations, and public agencies, ensuring that scholarship supports worker empowerment and inclusive economic development across the Inland Empire.

Greg’s advocacy extends beyond academia. He is a proud union member of UAW 4811, serving as a delegate to the Inland Empire Labor Council, and has been active in promoting graduate worker rights and fair labor practices across the UC system. His civic leadership also includes service as a Commissioner on the Riverside City Budget Engagement Commission, where he advises the City Council on budgetary priorities and public engagement, and as a leader within the Pick Group of Young Professionals, helping connect graduate students and emerging professionals to civic life in Riverside.

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Greg has remained deeply invested in fostering collaboration between labor, local government, and higher education. His work at the Labor Center and in city governance reflects a consistent vision: building a region where students and workers alike can live, work, play, and thrive.

When not engaged in advocacy or research, Greg shares reflections on labor, politics, and civic life through his writing on Substack and maintains a professional portfolio at GregBHutchins.com. His academic publications and research contributions can also be found on his Google Scholar profile. 

Through his work on the UCGPC Board, Greg aims to strengthen communication between local GSA leaders and the UC system, ensuring that graduate student voices remain central in conversations about labor, housing, and campus well-being. His blend of academic insight, labor experience, and civic engagement makes him a powerful advocate for graduate students across the University of California system.

Thank you for your commitment to student governance, Greg!