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Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026

OC 50 The Scholars

HOWARD GILLMAN

Chancellor

University of California-Irvine

Born in Los Angeles

Age: 60

Lives in University Hills, Irvine in Tierney University House

WHY: Oversees 54-year-old public research university with more than 35,000 students, over 23,000 employees, including medical center staff.

HOW: Appointed as sixth chancellor in 2014. Established Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. Increased annual research support by more than $100 million, setting university record. Holds faculty appointments in political science, history, criminology, law and society. Came on as provost, executive vice chancellor in 2013 after over 20 years at University of Southern California.

RECENT: UCI ranks No. 7 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, No. 33 among all schools. No. 1 in nation among public universities for “best value,” according to Forbes.

QUOTABLE: “We feel privileged to enable and empower our students to pursue their own American dream of a productive and satisfying life.”

FAST FACT: Was a magician at Hollywood’s Magic Castle as teenager.

PERSONAL: Prolific writer of academic papers, articles and books. First-generation college student earned bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate degrees in political science at University of California-Los Angeles. Married to Ellen Ruskin-Gillman, two children.

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