Aimée Dorr, former dean at the University of California, Los Angeles and provost of the University of California System, passed away on January 25. She was 83 years old.
Dr. Dorr was a three-time graduate of Stanford University in California, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, as well as her master’s degree and doctorate in psychology. She went on to teach at Stanford University, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California, where she was associate dean of the Annenberg School of Communications.
In 1981, Dr. Dorr joined the UCLA faculty as a professor of education. A specialist in child welfare, Dr. Dorr focused her academic work on the growing impact of electronic media on children. She was also well known for her expertise in policy analysis and the role of research in policy decision-making.
Dr. Dorr was named dean of the newly formed Graduate School of Education & Information Science at UCLA in September 1999. In this role, she oversaw efforts to enhance diversity among the school’s faculty, staff, and students; boost graduate enrollment; hire more full-time faculty; and increase financial support for students. Dr. Dorr also expanded the school’s engagement with local school districts, ultimately leading to the launch of the UCLA Robert F. Kennedy Community School in 2009.
In 2012, Dr. Dorr stepped down from her deanship and became provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of the University of California System, leading efforts to ensure academic excellence across all of the university’s campuses. She served in this capacity until her retirement in 2017.