Julio Frenk, a Mexican public health expert, has been named as the next permanent chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He will be the first Latino to lead UCLA, one of the most diverse student bodies in American higher education. Frenk will succeed Gene Block, who will step down at the end of July after a 17-year tenure that saw the university increase its academic reputation and attract more research dollars. However, Block’s administration faced controversy over its response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Born in Mexico City, Frenk previously served as Mexico’s secretary of health and as the dean of Harvard’s School of Public Health before taking over at the University of Miami in 2015. UCLA has a history of racial and ethnic diversity, with a list of notable alumni including the city’s first Black mayor, Tom Bradley, and athletic and civil rights icons like Jackie Robinson and Arthur Ashe. Frenk’s appointment as chancellor signifies a step towards diversity in leadership at UCLA.
Despite Frenk not officially becoming chancellor until January, the University of California Board of Regents has appointed Darnell Hunt as interim chancellor starting in August. Frenk emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to learning while also maintaining a commitment to free expression, noting that harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated. UCLA is highly regarded in California higher education, with a competitive admissions process for its undergraduate classes.
UCLA is joining the Big Ten Conference for its athletic teams, a move that will bring in more revenue but also require more travel across the country. Frenk has faced criticism in Miami for various decisions, including the firing of the law school dean, and for what some perceive as a lack of focus on athletics. Similarly, Block has faced criticism at UCLA for the athletic program running at a deficit.
In April, a protest encampment at UCLA led to intense clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups, culminating in a violent attack on student demonstrators by unidentified individuals. The encampment was allowed to stand for days before being dismantled by law enforcement. Jewish students at UCLA expressed concerns over their access to certain parts of campus being blocked by pro-Palestinian protesters, adding to the tensions on campus.
Frenk’s appointment as chancellor comes at a time of challenges and controversies at UCLA, with the need to address issues of free expression, student safety, and campus unity. He will be tasked with overseeing a prestigious institution that continues to face scrutiny and navigate complex issues amid a diverse student body and a competitive academic environment. As the first Latino to lead UCLA, Frenk’s leadership will be closely watched as he strives to bring healing and unity to the campus community.
