Aimée Dorr, former dean of the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and provost of the University of California system, died on January 25 at her home in South Pasadena, California. She was 83.
Dorr joined UCLA as a professor in the education department in 1981 after serving as a faculty member at Stanford and Harvard universities and as associate dean at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications. Her decision to join UCLA was influenced by what she described as its “tremendous intellectual resources” and collaborative approach to research and teaching.
She became dean of the newly formed UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies in 1999, following the merger of the Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Library and Information Science. During her 13-year tenure, Dorr led efforts that elevated both departments to national prominence.
“As dean, Aimée helped set the course for the newly formed UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, bringing together the departments of education and information studies to pursue research, scholarship and practice within and across their respective fields,” said Christina (Tina) Christie, Wasserman Dean of the UCLA School. “Her vision and leadership helped our school develop future generations of scholars, teachers, information professionals and institutional leaders and established a powerful commitment to the principles of responsibility and social justice, an ethic of caring, and deep partnership with communities that continue to guide our work today.”
Dorr specialized in child welfare with a focus on electronic media’s impact on children. She was also recognized for her expertise in policy analysis related to educational research.
Christine Borgman, distinguished research professor at UCLA’s Presidential Chair in Information Studies Emerita said: “Aimée was a brilliant scholar and an insightful dean. She was committed to the intellectual integration of information studies and education, drawing on her communication scholarship, attending information studies conferences and participating actively in our department.”
Anne Gilliland, professor of information studies at UCLA added: “She was extraordinarily dedicated and fair in school and department administrative affairs. She always took a keen interest in the research in the information studies department because of her own background working with educational media and technology.”
Under Dorr’s leadership, faculty diversity increased along with graduate enrollment numbers. The school also expanded financial support for students pursuing doctoral or professional degrees while strengthening ties with Los Angeles communities.
A notable initiative during her deanship was forging partnerships with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) that resulted in opening the UCLA Robert F. Kennedy Community School in Pico-Union/Koreatown area in 2009. At its launch Dorr told UCLA Magazine: “This is a wonderful opportunity for both UCLA and LAUSD to bring big resources, knowledge and energy to the table to provide excellent education to some children in communities that need it the most.” The K–12 pilot school continues today as an innovative teaching environment incorporating expertise from university faculty.
Megan Franke, professor at UCLA whose work supports teachers said: “I was education department chair while Aimée was dean. Her leadership shaped the development of mine. She led the department through exciting and challenging times. She cared deeply about us and our work together…and she worked tirelessly for us.”
Dorr also held key roles within university governance including co-chairing academic preparation programs at UCLA; serving as vice chair/chair for both campus-wide Academic Senate committees; acting as faculty representative on UC Board Regents; then becoming vice chair/chair for UC-wide Academic Senate.
In July 2012—after nearly three decades at UCLA—she became provost/executive vice president for academic affairs for University of California system where she oversaw academic excellence across all campuses until retiring five years later.
“Aimée Dorr is an accomplished leader with superb management skills…strategic vision…and long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunities for all segments,” then–UC President Mark Yudof said upon appointing her provost. “Her inclusive management style…will serve…the entire system…very well during these challenging times.”
Dorr earned degrees from Stanford University—a bachelor’s degree in mathematics plus master’s/doctorate degrees in psychology—and held fellowships from several major professional associations including American Educational Research Association.
Christie concluded: “On a personal note…I remain profoundly grateful for her steady counsel…her generosity…and quiet confidence she placed in so many…as we grew into our roles here at UCLA.”
