Dr. Gilliam brings a wealth of experience from a career that spans more than 30 years in higher education. He moved to UNCG after serving seven years as Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs where he was also a longtime Professor of Public Policy and Political Science. His research focused on strategic communications, public policy, electoral politics, and racial and ethnic politics.
While there, Dr. Gilliam shepherded a $100 million dollar gift, including a $50 million naming gift, and launched and executed an ambitious strategic plan and capital campaign, establishing the school as a regional leader in addressing and finding solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems.
Dr. Gilliam has contributed to FrameWorks’ research and training on health care, racial equity, early child development, youth and rural issues, and criminal justice. He is the author of Farther to Go: Readings and Cases in African-American Politics (Harcourt Brace), and his work has been published in many leading academic journals. He is frequently interviewed or cited by national and international news outlets such as CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, The Huffington Post, and the BBC.