UM president steps down, taking new position out-of-state

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami President Julio Frenk is leaving South Florida to lead a prominent West Coast university.

UM announced Wednesday that Frenk, 70, is departing the Coral Gables-based institution for a new role as chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles, starting on New Year’s Day.

Frenk, a physician-turned-administrator born in Mexico City, has led the college since Aug. 16, 2015, succeeding longtime President Donna Shalala, who later served a term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The UM Board of Trustees appointed Chief Executive Officer Joe Echevarria as acting president “effective immediately.”

In a public statement, UM Board of Trustees Chair Manny Kadre praised Frenk’s accomplishments, saying his “tenure has been marked by resilience, vision, and an innovative management model that allowed us to attain remarkable results for our students, patients, and community.”

“He helped guide the University through unprecedented challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and empowered our students, faculty, and staff to achieve excellence in every area—education, research, patient care, and service to society,” Kadre said in part.

The statement continues, “Over the next several months, the Board of Trustees will engage in a thoughtful and robust discussion with faculty and other important stakeholders to initiate the process of identifying the next President of the University of Miami.

“On behalf of the entire University of Miami Board of Trustees, please join me in wishing Julio the very best as he prepares to take the helm at UCLA and thanking Joe for his willingness to serve the U again at this crucial moment.”

Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC reports that the University of California Board of Regents approved Frenk’s hiring Wednesday.

He will earn $978,904 at UCLA, representing a drop in salary. According to ProPublica’s nonprofit explorer, federal tax forms show that Frenk made more than $1.6 million as UM president in 2023.

Editor’s note: The original version of this article mistakenly reported Frenk’s age as 60. It has since been corrected.