Jon Gould credited for the School of Social Ecology’s growing impact
UC Irvine has reappointed Dean Jon B. Gould to serve a second term as the leader of the School of Social Ecology, running from Jan. 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. The announcement was made by Chancellor Howard Gillman, on the recommendation of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Hal Stern.
In a letter to Gould, Chancellor Gillman pointed to a first term marked by measurable progress across research, community engagement and student success.
“Over the past five years, your leadership has advanced the school in meaningful and impactful ways,” Gillman wrote to Gould. “Your leadership has helped position the school for continued growth and impact both within the university and across the broader community.”
Provost Stern echoed that assessment, noting that Gould’s tenure has strengthened the school’s visibility and deepened its ties to surrounding communities.
“Since joining UC Irvine in 2022, Dean Gould has provided steady, collaborative leadership while navigating a complex and evolving higher education landscape,” he noted. “He has transformed the School’s reach, reputation and impact with a vision centered on interdisciplinary scholarship, community engagement and translating research into real-world solutions.”
Gould, who shared the news directly with School of Social Ecology faculty and staff before the formal announcement, said the role remains as meaningful to him today as it was when he first stepped into it.
“When I interviewed to be dean for the School of Social Ecology, I said it was my dream job,” Gould wrote. “Five years later, it is still true. We focus on some of the most pressing issues confronting society today — climate threats, children’s mental health, justice and fairness, affordability and more. We not only study these subjects, but we also work to help solve them."
Among the highlights of Gould’s first term:
- Launched the Social Impact Hub, which fosters innovative research, community engagement and policy development for social change.
- Expanded the Field Study program with the development of career pipeline initiatives supporting students and faculty, including an annual Career Summit.
- Developed a Master of Public Administration program, which is the first and only MPA in the University of California system.
- Launched a Psychological Testing Technician certificate program, and interdisciplinary offerings such as the Environmental Changemakers certificate.
- Created the annual UC Irvine Día de los Muertos cultural celebration, honoring ancestors and heritage.
- Launched the UCI-OC Poll, which provides reliable survey data on the issues confronting Orange County residents.
- Earned provisional accreditation for the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program.
- Launched the “Dialogue During a Time of Disruption” series which aims to foster dialogue across differences.
- All of the School’s academic programs have maintained their top national rankings, including the online Master of Advanced Study in criminology, law and society, psychology and public affairs programs.
- Secured significant philanthropic support that reflects growing external recognition of the school’s mission. Most notably, the School received its largest individual gift in 2024. That gift funded the opening of the Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music and Social Change, supporting research and bringing distinguished artists and thought leaders to campus, and established UCI scholarships for students across all fields who wish to incorporate music into their future careers.
- The School’s faculty and staff continue to be recognized with prominent awards and honors, including: Chancellor’s Professor of Criminology, Law and Society Charis Kubrin, who won the Stockholm Prize in Criminology; Michael Méndez, associate professor of urban planning and public policy, who won several national awards including being named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow; Elizabeth F. Loftus, distinguished professor of psychological science and criminology, law & society, who was ranked the No. 1 cognitive psychologist in the world for her lifetime achievements; Elizabeth Cauffman, Distinguished Professor of psychology, who won the Social Policy Achievement Award by the Society for Research on Adolescence; Associate Dean Susan Charles, who won the the Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association; and the school’s podcast “Red County, Blue County, Orange County” that won four regional and national awards.
Gould, whose new term has been structured to align with the academic calendar, expressed enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
“This is a great place to be, and our School is a gem of an institution, bringing hope, opportunity and knowledge that improves lives,” he said. “It is an honor to continue that work.”
— Mimi Ko Cruz
Banner photo of Gould by Steve Zylius
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