UCLA Anderson announced it will hire Gareth James, currently dean of Emory’s Goizueta School, as its next dean effective July 1. James leaves Emory after expanding degree offerings, growing faculty ranks and improving MBA rankings; he is a statistician and co-author of a widely used machine‑learning textbook. Anderson framed the hire as strategic for Los Angeles’ convergence of technology, entertainment and entrepreneurship. The move matters for business‑school competition on the West Coast: James’ track record of program launches and enrollment growth signals a renewed focus on curriculum innovation, industry ties and data‑driven research at Anderson.