UCLA Anderson School of Management will recruit Emory Goizueta Dean Gareth James as its next dean this summer, a move Anderson framed as positioning the school to deepen ties across technology, entertainment and social‑impact sectors in Los Angeles. James is a noted statistician and co‑author of a leading machine‑learning textbook. Separately, the University of Michigan selected Kent D. Syverud, the current Syracuse leader, as its next president—making him the fifth person to lead Michigan since 2022. Syverud inherits a flagship campus facing debates over campus climate, governance and strategic priorities. These senior hires underscore continued competition for experienced leaders who can navigate political pressure, fundraising demands, and complex faculty‑staff relations. Boards should expect incoming executives to face immediate priorities around enrollment stabilization, donor engagement, and campus governance. Why it matters: high‑profile leadership picks shape strategic direction, fundraising momentum and faculty morale—critical levers for institutional resilience during a volatile policy and fiscal environment.