Julio Frenk, the president of the University of Miami, will step down to become the chancellor of UCLA, with Joe Echevarria appointed as acting president while the UM Board of Trustees begins searching for Frenk’s successor.

Julio Frenk, the president of the University of Miami (UM), will step down from his position to assume the role of chancellor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Frenk’s departure was announced by the UM Board of Trustees on Wednesday, with Joe Echevarria, UM’s Chief Executive Officer, appointed as acting president effective immediately. Frenk will take a sabbatical to prepare for his transition to UCLA, with an intended start date of January 1, 2025.

Frenk holds a background in public health and academia that includes serving as Mexico’s Federal Secretary of Health from 2000 to 2006, where he helped reform the nation’s health system and expanded care to millions of people.

“In his nine years at the U, Julio led us through some of the most consequential moments in our history,” said Manny Kadre, chair of the UM Board of Trustees. “Julio’s 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.”

Under Frenk’s leadership, UM was admitted to the Association of American Universities and the institution’s health system recorded marked improvements. Further, significant investments were made in intercollegiate athletics.

Membership in the AAU, which is regarded as the most prestigious academic distinction in higher education, includes institutions like Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Stanford. To become a member, universities must fulfill specific criteria, including a strong emphasis on research. This involves a proven record of obtaining external research grants, publishing in reputable journals, and making valuable contributions to the scientific community.

Kadre additionally remarked that UM’s Board of Trustees will quickly commence the process of conducting a candidate search for Frenk’s successor.

“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,” he said, adding that “as we approach our second century, we are mindful of our responsibility to not only maintain but also advance our leadership in all areas, and to continue the remarkable ascent of a university that has achieved so much in such a short time.”