Luskin School of Public Affairs dean to leave UCLA

The dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs was named chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, officials announced Friday.

Frank Gilliam, named dean in 2008, has played roles in furthering UCLA’s civic engagement through research and partnerships within the community, according to a UCLA statement. Gilliam previously worked as a professor and associate vice chancellor of community partnerships at the School of Public Affairs.

“Frank has obviously left a huge impact on UCLA,” said Professor Mark Peterson, chair of the Department of Public Policy. “Under his leadership, he made major transformations, renovated the building, brought initiatives to the school and established programs that energized the (school’s) intellectual environment.”

Gilliam worked to promote strong relationships between UCLA and the communities it serves, said Professor Lois Takahashi, associate dean for research at the School of Public Affairs. Prior to becoming dean, Gilliam began the UCLA Center for Community Partnerships, which connected UCLA with its partners in the Los Angeles area.

Under Gilliam, the School of Public Affairs received a $50 million grant from Meyer and Renee Luskin in 2011, which Gilliam used to research issues such as immigration and national security, according to a UCLA statement. Under his leadership, the school launched new efforts to promote its mission of public service, including the Global Public Affairs initiative, the Digital Cities program and the Leadership Initiative.

“He is one of the best deans I have worked with during my time at UCLA,” Takahashi said. “This is a devastating loss for the campus, but he has set us up with a good infrastructure. He put us in a good position to continue moving forward.”

UCLA officials are working to appoint an interim dean and find a successor, according to a UCLA statement. Gilliam will be leaving UCLA on Sept. 8.

Compiled by Meghan Hodges, Bruin contributor.