Reappointment of UCLA Anderson Dean Tony Bernardo

Dear Colleagues:

Following the customary five-year administrative review, we are pleased to share that Antonio Bernardo has been reappointed to serve a second term as dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Members of the review committee celebrated Dean Bernardo’s considerable accomplishments at the helm of the school, while also praising him as a thoughtful, principled and humble leader who exhibits integrity and cares deeply about the UCLA Anderson community.

Under Dean Bernardo’s leadership, UCLA Anderson initiated a comprehensive, data-driven strategic planning process to enhance and update all curricular and extra-curricular offerings. Key initiatives undertaken in the past several years include hiring faculty in strategic priority areas; building cross-campus and strategic industry and community partnerships; deepening employer relationships to create high-impact career opportunities; improving diversity among faculty, students and the school’s Board of Advisors; developing lifelong learning initiatives for alumni; and establishing staff development and leadership programs. Notably, the school received STEM certification for its MBA programs in 2020.

Throughout his tenure, Dean Bernardo has worked closely with the school’s faculty chairs to support UCLA Anderson’s world-class ladder faculty, recruiting 24 new hires, half of whom are women. Recent initiatives to advance the school’s top-ranked research productivity include providing matching funds for pre-doctoral research assistants and graduate student researchers, strengthening financial packages for incoming Ph.D. students and expanding the post-doctoral program.

Advancing UCLA’s public mission, Dean Bernardo has encouraged curriculum innovation and faculty research in subject areas addressing current business and social issues such as health care policy and management, climate, affordable housing, AI and sustainability; and supported innovative new programs that create more opportunities for underserved groups to pursue graduate education.

In addition to these accomplishments, Dean Bernardo has provided steady leadership and maintained a strong financial position at UCLA Anderson despite the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide enrollment fluctuations for management programs, allowing the school to enhance student financial aid, hire new faculty, maintain staffing levels and invest in strategic priorities. Aside from his regular duties, Dean Bernardo has served on several key campuswide committees, including chairing UCLA’s search for a new vice chancellor and chief financial officer.

I am deeply grateful for Tony’s many contributions to UCLA Anderson and to the greater community. Please join me in congratulating him on his reappointment, and thanking him for his continued steadfast leadership at UCLA Anderson.

Sincerely,

Darnell Hunt
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost