Meet the Dean:

Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D.

Dean López’s Welcome

A heartfelt welcome to UCI Arts!

I am honored to serve as dean of a nationally regarded school of the arts named after a trailblazing woman in film, television and philanthropy. As the only University of California school of the arts encompassing art, dance, drama and music, Claire Trevor School of the Arts (UCI Arts) is a creative engine for the university and a dynamic center of excellence for the region.

This year, we celebrate two milestone anniversaries: 60 years since the founding of UC Irvine and 25 years since the naming of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. These are powerful reminders of how legacies are built through creativity, vision and community. Our work continues that legacy as we design the next chapter in the life of our school.

As an artist, scholar and first-generation Latina born and raised in Southern California, I understand firsthand the importance of access, mentorship and belonging. My leadership is rooted in the values of listening, collaboration and institutional dramaturgy—the practice of aligning purpose and impact with care and imagination.

UCI Arts is proud to be part of a campus nationally recognized for advancing social mobility and innovation, and to be a Hispanic-serving and minority-serving institution. Our school cultivates inclusive excellence and creative leadership by honoring difference and exploring the human experience through all artistic forms.

Two initiatives guide our current efforts: Arts &, which highlights the power of the arts in collaboration with other fields, and Art that transforms. Voices that matter., a phrase that reflects the heart of our mission and the work we champion every day. These efforts show how our students are empowered to use their vision and voice to shape the future—whether in studios and labs, on stages and in galleries, or through internships and community partnerships.

I invite you to join us as impact partners in this exciting journey. Whether attending one of our 200-plus performances and exhibitions each year or engaging with our student and faculty research, your presence fuels our shared momentum. Together, we are creating a brilliant future shaped by the arts and driven by purpose.

Warmly,
Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D. 
(link to faculty bio)
Claire Trevor Dean of the Arts
Professor, Department of Drama