September 5, 2006

UC San Diego Names Vice Chancellor for External Relations
Longtime UCLA Leader Keith Brant to Head UCSD’s External Relations

By Pat JaCoby

The University of California, San Diego announced the appointment of Keith E. Brant, Ph.D., as Vice Chancellor for External Relations, effective Sept. 1, 2006.

Brant, formerly UCLA's assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations and executive director of the UCLA Alumni Association, will have responsibility for attracting private financial support to the university, strengthening UCSD’s relationships with alumni and other supporters, and building UCSD’s reputation in the region and beyond.

Keith Brant

“We are extremely proud to have Keith join our leadership team. He brings with him tremendous expertise which he used to help build UCLA’s successful External Affairs department,” said UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “Keith Brant’s expertise in advancement -- building enduring relationships with community supporters to promote advocacy and long term support for the University -- is exactly what UCSD was searching for in a new vice chancellor for External Relations.

“He also brings a valuable, community-oriented perspective
to UCSD, as well as an appreciation
for strategic vision and strong management, and an
understanding of how interdisciplinary initiatives
can help foster success,” added Fox.

Brant received his Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. degrees from UCLA and has been part of the UC family for over 25 years. He also has worked as a consultant for a variety of higher education institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, University of Georgia, Pomona College, University of Auckland, and Queensland University of Technology.

“UCSD is at a turning point as it enters the last year of its successful $1 billion “Imagine What’s Next” campaign. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to apply my previous UC and outside experiences to chart the course for the coming decade,” said Brant.

Collaborative leadership and strategic planning are two of Brant’s greatest strengths. At UCLA, he applied these talents to great benefit to: develop a demographically diverse alumni association that is the sixth largest collegiate organization of its type in the world; strengthen internal and external communications with staff, students, faculty, alumni, donors, advocates, community leaders, and other constituencies; and to help build donor stewardship, and fundraising planning and strategies.

As a key member of UCLA’s external affairs team, Brant has developed strong relationships with UCLA’s Foundation Board, Board of Governors, and Campaign Cabinet to advance UCLA’s philanthropic priorities. As UCSD enters its last year of the “Imagine What’s Next” campaign, this experience will prove invaluable as we plan for the future.

Brant’s many national higher education affiliations provide a solid foundation for UCSD, especially his role as a Trustee for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), chair of its Commission on Alumni Relations; and his work with the Council for Alumni Association Executives (CAAE). In addition he is an established contributor of many articles in higher education journals.

The External Relations Department at UCSD is comprised of development and philanthropic support, university communications (including special events and publications), alumni relations, and departmental information technology and financial systems, as well as the UCSD Foundation and the UCSD Student Foundation.

Brant’s compensation package includes a base salary of $230,000, automobile allowance of $8,916 per year, 30 days of temporary housing, reimbursement for moving expenses, eligibility for a University sponsored home loan of up to $1,000,000, and the standard Senior Management Group benefits package which includes medical, disability and life insurance coverage, as well as participation in the UC retirement and savings programs.

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404