As chair of the Board of Trustees, Ross Grossman has an invested interest in the success of Keck Graduate Institute. From leading the presidential search that brought Dr. Mohamed Abousalem to KGI as its third president in July 2024 to providing valuable oversight to the Institute as the board chair since 2023, Grossman has diligently served the institution with a focus on ensuring student success and frequently travels to Claremont in advance of board meetings to dedicate time to personal conversations with students, faculty, and campus leaders.
Along with his time and talents, including his experience as Chief Human Resources Officer at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Grossman and his wife Deborah have made a significant financial contribution to the Institute, driven by a shared vision of removing barriers for students who are the first in their families to pursue graduate education. In recognition of his gift and continued impact at KGI, the Student Affairs and Career Services suite has been renamed the Ross and Deborah Grossman Student Success Center. A celebration was held on Thursday to commemorate the naming of the space.
“In our 20+ years involvement with KGI, we have seen KGI successfully preparing and launching students from all backgrounds into impactful careers in pharma, biotech, devices and healthcare,” said Grossman, who first joined KGI as a member of an industry advisory board before joining the Board of Trustees in 2014.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I have experienced the power of education not only to change the trajectory of my own life but also those of our children and their children. Debbie and I are excited to begin investing in KGI to help more first-generation students to succeed academically, professionally and personally.”
Through their generous gift, the Grossmans are providing immediate support through a multi-year commitment to the first-generation student "Impact Fund," which provides scholarships to attract and develop first-generation talent and enhancements to the Student Affairs space. The Grossmans have also established an estate commitment to ensure long-term institutional maturity through three distinct areas, all focused on first-generation student success:
- First-Gen "Impact Fund": Sustaining immediate infrastructure and providing vital need-based scholarship support.
- Endowed Scholarship Fund: Creating a permanent legacy for first-generation student aid intended to provide awards that allow students to focus on their academics.
- First-Gen Program Endowment: Providing discretionary support for specialized programming and services specifically aimed at increasing graduation and professional success rates for first-gen students.
“The remarkable generosity of Ross and Deborah Grossman reflects a deep belief in the power of education to shape the future of healthcare and biotechnology,” said President Mohamed Abousalem. “Their investment in student success strengthens our ability to prepare the next generation of innovators, researchers, and leaders who will heal and uplift our communities. Naming the Student Affairs suite in their honor is a fitting tribute to their vision, passion for the social mobility impact of education, and lasting commitment to advancing both our students and the fields they will transform.”