Gene Block's Transformative Legacy: A Chronicle of Accomplishments as UCLA Chancellor

Gene Block's tenure as chancellor of UCLA, from August 1, 2007, to July 31, 2024, marked a period of significant growth, transformation, and achievement for the university. His leadership saw UCLA rise to become the nation's top-ranked public institution, expand its reach and impact, and deepen its commitment to access, affordability, and service.

A Champion of Public Higher Education

Gene Block has consistently championed high-quality, accessible public higher education. His institutional priorities have included academic excellence, civic engagement, diversity, and financial security, all of which have been reflected in the initiatives and accomplishments during his time as chancellor.

Block's commitment to public universities extended beyond UCLA, as he served on several leading national associations and advisory boards, including the Association of American Universities, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. From 2016 to 2024, he also chaired the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.

Academic Excellence and Rankings

Under Block's guidance, UCLA experienced a remarkable ascent in academic rankings across nearly every discipline. This culminated in UCLA being recognized as the No. 1 public university in the nation for seven consecutive years, from 2017 to 2024. This achievement not only brought prestige to the university but also increased its media attention and visibility.

The rise in rankings also reflected the dedication and hard work of UCLA's faculty, staff, and students. Chancellor Block fostered an environment that encouraged innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in all academic endeavors.

Expanding Access and Affordability

Block demonstrated a deep commitment to making UCLA accessible to students from all backgrounds. He led initiatives that grew outreach programs and increased support services for students from low-income backgrounds, traditionally underrepresented groups, and first-generation college students.

One of Block's notable achievements was the significant investment in developing new university-owned housing. This enabled UCLA to guarantee four years of housing for incoming freshmen and two years for new transfer students-making it the first and only UC campus, as of 2024, to offer such a guarantee. This initiative not only provided students with a stable and supportive living environment but also enhanced the sense of community on campus.

In 2022, Block spearheaded the Bruin Promise initiative, providing continuing education and career support to all UCLA graduates and certificate holders. This program further demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that UCLA graduates have the resources and support they need to succeed in their careers and make a positive impact on the world.

Research and Entrepreneurship

Under Chancellor Block's leadership, UCLA's research and entrepreneurship ecosystem thrived. The university's annual research grant funding grew from $900 million in 2007 to more than $1.72 billion in 2023. This funding supported groundbreaking research across a wide range of disciplines, from medicine and engineering to the humanities and social sciences.

UCLA was also recognized as one of the top institutions for startups, with more than 100 active startup companies based on student- and faculty-led discoveries. To further support this entrepreneurial spirit, Chancellor Block announced the creation of a new not-for-profit company to protect and optimize campus discoveries and inventions.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Community Engagement and Service

Block launched UCLA's Volunteer Center at the start of his tenure, initiating the first annual Volunteer Day. This event brought thousands of Bruins together to engage in hands-on community service across Los Angeles. In his last year as chancellor, approximately 8,000 Bruins participated in Volunteer Day, making it the nation's largest service project for new university students.

The Volunteer Center and Volunteer Day exemplified Block's commitment to civic engagement and the importance of giving back to the community. These initiatives not only benefited the Los Angeles community but also instilled a sense of social responsibility in UCLA students.

In 2009, UCLA and LAUSD opened the UCLA Community School to provide high-quality education to students in the underserved Koreatown/Pico-Union neighborhood. This partnership demonstrated UCLA's commitment to addressing educational inequities and serving the needs of the local community.

Campus Expansion and Development

During Block's tenure, UCLA became a more residential campus, expanded both in Westwood and across Los Angeles, and launched new academic and administrative programs. The campus saw the opening of several new buildings and facilities, including the UCLA Biomedical Sciences Research Building, the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the Terasaki Life Sciences Building, the Luskin Conference Center, Geffen Hall, the Olympic and Centennial residence halls, and the Black Bruin Resource Center.

In a transformative move, UCLA acquired the historic Trust Building in downtown Los Angeles, advancing Chancellor Block's mission of broadening access to a UCLA education and strengthening the university's engagement with the city's diverse communities.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Diversity and Inclusion

In 2020, UCLA laid out plans to achieve federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. This designation would qualify the campus for various federal grants to bolster educational programs and benefit Latino communities on campus.

The establishment of the Black Bruin Resource Center in Kerckhoff Hall also demonstrated UCLA's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for Black students. The center provides a space for Black students to find and create community through social activities and academic support.

Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

Block's leadership extended through the COVID-19 crisis, during which UCLA adapted to remote learning for nearly a year and a half before welcoming students, faculty, and staff back to campus for in-person instruction in fall 2021. During this challenging time, Chancellor Block made the decision that UCLA would not lay off any staff, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of the university's employees.

UCLA Health also played a crucial role in the fight against the pandemic, becoming one of the first academic health systems to develop in-house COVID-19 testing. Two vaccine clinical trials were also held at UCLA, contributing to the global effort to develop effective vaccines.

Addressing Social Justice Issues

Triggered by the murder of George Floyd, racial and social justice protests and civil unrest dominated the summer of 2020. In response, Chancellor Block and the UCLA community engaged in important conversations and initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism and promoting social justice.

Research Contributions

An expert in neuroscience, Chancellor Block’s research focuses on the effects of aging on the nervous system and how it impacts biological timing in mammals, including humans.

UCLA researchers have made significant contributions to various fields, including:

Lithium-Metal Batteries

Researchers from UCLA have discovered a technique for depositing lithium metal onto a surface that prevents the formation of a corrosive layer.

AI Logic Proficiency

According to published research, the language model GPT-3, powered by artificial intelligence, demonstrated the same level of proficiency as college students when solving logic problems similar to those found in standardized tests.

Emergency Care Data

A study by UCLA Health researchers found that current methods of storing and tracking data on children receiving emergency care miss many who with self-injurious thoughts or behaviors.

Enrollment in Clinical Trials

According to a UCLA study published in the journal Nature, cancer research centers could enroll more patients from underrepresented groups in clinical trials by relieving investigators of the costs of translating consent documents into languages other than English.

Parks After Dark Program

92% of attendees feel safe at long-running L.A. Parks After Dark has been successful in reducing crime, according to a new evaluation by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

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