Chon Noriega appointed interim dean of UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television

School of Theater, Film and Television Professor Chon Noriega speaks. Noriega will be the school’s interim dean beginning Feb. 1. (Courtesy of UCLA Newsroom)
By Lilly Wellons
Jan. 24, 2025 6:02 p.m.
Chon Noriega is set to become the interim dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
Noriega, the former director of UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center, will hold the position from Feb. 1 to June 30, or until a permanent successor is appointed, according to a UCLA Newsroom press release. Noriega will succeed Brian Kite, who will become UCLA’s next dean and vice provost of graduate education in February.
[Related: TFT Dean Brian Kite appointed as dean and vice provost of graduate education]
Kite made $409,508 in 2023, according to UC payroll data. He held the role of TFT dean in an interim capacity until November of that year before becoming the school’s permanent dean.
Noriega, a UCLA faculty member of over 30 years, is a professor in the school’s Department of Film, Television and Digital Media and is an adjunct curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He received his undergraduate degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University.
“I am confident that Professor Noriega will provide effective guidance and oversight for TFT students, staff and faculty and continue to be a valuable contributor to the overall arts ecosystem at UCLA,” UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Darnell Hunt said in a Wednesday announcement.
As dean, Noriega will oversee the School of TFT and report to Hunt.