Provost Bullock, who played formative roles in the evolution of Brandman University and University of Massachusetts Global, to retire

IRVINE, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2022) – Provost Charles A. Bullock helped lead the university throughout its growth into an institution capable of serving modern working adults on a national scale. Bullock played a principal role in establishing the university’s hybrid and online programs.

Bullock arrived at the university in 2008. He served as the executive vice chancellor of academic affairs and provost throughout his thirteen-plus years of service.

In his message to faculty and staff, Chancellor Brahm shared how Bullock’s work helped mold UMass Global into an institution that makes the most of new technologies to enable students to complete entirely online and blended programs year round.

Shortly after starting, Charles helped launch our first fully online degree programs. He then led the return of business degrees to our institution and was instrumental in creating the School of Business and Professional Studies. Charles then led an institutional-wide effort to adopt a best practice, identified by the USDOE in their 2009 META Study, to convert all on ground classes to be blended while at the same time changing from five to six sessions a year.

Bullock also oversaw the recruitment of faculty. Chancellor Brahm observed that Bullock’s time with the university spanned two major organizational projects in which the institution evolved and redefined its identity.

While leading our faculty for more than a decade, Charles helped build the formidable catalog of hybrid, online, and nationally accredited programs that enabled us to pursue national prominence and become UMass Global, Chancellor Brahm continued. According to Charles, either one of our organizational milestones (the Chapman University College transition to Brandman University or the Brandman transition to UMass Global) would have been, in his words, a 'once-in-a-lifetime' accomplishment. Instead of taking on only one 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity, Charles took on and completed two.

I am very proud of Charles’s efforts to assemble a roster of outstanding full- and part-time instructors while developing our curriculum and faculty development processes. He ensured faculty members had a place at his decision-making table and that faculty and staff leaders’ voices were heard when we charted our strategic plans. We pride ourselves on offering courses that match both students’ career goals and our employer partners’ upskilling needs, and Charles has been instrumental in helping us achieve these goals. Our exemplary graduation rates offer compelling evidence that our faculty, under Charles’ leadership, provide meaningful service to our students.

Although we often trace our history to 1958 and the first on-base courses at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, we really came into our own as a separately accredited university in 2008, when Charles joined us. He truly deserves to be regarded as a founder of our university for his exemplary service.

Bullock holds a J.D. from Texas Tech University. He served as dean of the School of Business Administration for University of Houston-Victoria before his service here. His planned retirement from UMass Global, scheduled to begin on March 31, will afford him the ability to spend more time with family members back in Texas.