UCI Foundation names Carol Choi its first Korean American chair

Carol Choi, founder of United Exchange Corporation and a UC Irvine graduate, has been named the UCI Foundation’s next chair, becoming the first Korean American selected for the role, according to Korea Daily.

The foundation raises and manages private funding and develops partnerships supporting UCI’s teaching, research and public service. Choi’s appointment brings a longtime supporter of the Orange County university’s Korean studies and student programs to its top board role.

Choi will succeed Gary Singer, who became chair in 2023, Korea Daily reported. She will be the second UCI graduate to lead the foundation, following Singer. Her exact starting date and the length of her term have not been made public.

Choi and her husband, Eugene Choi, CEO of United Exchange Corporation, joined the foundation’s board in 2017. They were among its earliest Korean American members. According to Korea Daily, the board now includes four Korean members, including the couple.

Her university work has included helping establish the UCI Korea Law Center and strengthening the Korean Alumni Association. In 2019, she gave $100,000 to the UCI Center for Korean Studies to support Korean studies majors and related programs, the publication reported.

The couple also supported campus startup centers and research opportunities for undergraduates. In 2020, the UCI Alumni Association recognized them with its highest honor, the Extraordinarius award.

Choi graduated from UCI in 1985, majoring in biology and psychology. She founded United Exchange Corporation, a consumer goods distribution company, in 1993, according to Korea Daily.

Korea Daily described Choi’s years of involvement with the university but did not identify a specific reason for her selection as chair.