Julio Frenk appointed as UCLA's new chancellor by University of Miami president

Dr. Julio Frenk, the current president of the University of Miami, has been chosen as the next chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He will succeed Gene Block, who has faced criticism over his handling of pro-Palestinian campus protests. Frenk, a global public health researcher, will be the first Latino to lead UCLA. The appointment was made by the regents of the University of California system at a meeting on the UCLA campus. Frenk expressed excitement and humility about his new role and emphasized the importance of listening carefully. The UC administrators faced criticism during the meeting, with concerns raised about police brutality, transparency in UC endowments, and calls for divestment from certain companies. Block, who has been chancellor for 17 years, will retire on July 31st. Frenk has a background in public health research and has held various leadership positions, including as dean of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Mexico's national health secretary. He will officially begin his role as chancellor in January 2025.