After nearly 18 years of exceptional service to UC San Diego, Jeff Gattas will retire on June 27, 2025, as Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff to Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.
Jeff’s distinguished career at UC San Diego has included various leadership roles in strategic communications, public outreach and executive leadership. Since his appointment as Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff in 2017, Jeff has managed government affairs, athletics, student affairs, equity diversity and inclusion initiatives, the UC San Diego Health system, public safety, and issues management, and also served as the official university liaison to the UC Office of the President and the UC Regents.
Throughout his tenure, Jeff has played a pivotal role in several major initiatives, including the development of Park & Market, a transformative civic and cultural hub in downtown San Diego. He also facilitated UC San Diego Athletics’ successful transition to NCAA Division I and cross-sector efforts to secure the new City of San Diego Fire Station 52 on UC San Diego's North Campus, enhancing emergency response times and providing critical services to nearby neighborhoods. He also played a key leadership role on the executive team for "Return to Learn," UC San Diego's pioneering plan to manage operations and safely resume in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to drive innovative solutions and strategies that set a national standard for higher education.
Jeff also spearheaded a comprehensive assessment of University Communications, resulting in the hiring of the first-ever Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the university. He centralized and reorganized the Communications Department, creating a Cabinet-level communications and marketing department for the first time in university history.
Jeff has long been a dedicated civic leader, serving on various boards, including the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and San Diego LGBT Community Center. His transformative work in economic development, housing policy, equity and inclusion, and community advocacy have made a lasting impact on the entire San Diego region and beyond.
Prior to his role at UC San Diego, Jeff held leadership positions in city and state government, including Director of City Council Affairs for San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Chief of Staff and Policy Director to City Councilmember and Acting Mayor Toni Atkins.
In recognition of his exemplary service, Mayor Todd Gloria declared June 2, 2025, as "Jeff Gattas Day" in the City of San Diego.
Please join me in thanking Jeff Gattas for his nearly two decades of outstanding leadership and dedication to UC San Diego. His contributions have left a lasting legacy, and he will be greatly missed.
An announcement regarding his successor will be forthcoming.
