The University of Colorado revealed on Tuesday that Justin Schwartz, who currently holds the position of executive vice president and provost at Pennsylvania State University, has been identified as the only potential candidate for the role of chancellor at the University of Colorado Boulder.
CU President Todd Saliman expressed his confidence in Dr. Schwartz's ability to continue the university's progress and enhance its reputation. He highlighted Schwartz's qualifications and commitment to diversity and promoting a community that embraces various cultures and viewpoints.
Schwartz, the current executive vice president and provost at Pennsylvania State University, previously served as the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering at Penn State and held positions at Florida State University and North Carolina State University. He holds a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and has over 30 years of experience in higher education.
Saliman described Schwartz as a bold leader dedicated to the success and well-being of students and who recognizes the importance of a liberal arts education.
Saliman further emphasized that Schwartz is deeply committed to diversity, creating an inclusive environment, enhancing funding through successful fundraising, promoting shared governance and academic freedom, and leading with humility, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit.
Sole finalist
The CU Boulder Chancellor Search Committee initially identified seven candidates for Saliman to consider. It was then Saliman's responsibility to select one or more finalists.
Saliman stated that he had aimed to propose more than one finalist, but after discussions with the candidates, it became evident that a multi-candidate pool was not feasible. Hence, he chose to move forward with Dr. Schwartz, who he believes can effectively lead CU Boulder into the future with enthusiasm.
The CU Boulder Chancellor Search Committee, composed of students, staff, faculty, and community members, released a statement in support of the decision to nominate Schwartz as the sole finalist.
The statement expressed gratitude for President Saliman's careful consideration during the process, and showed confidence that the chosen finalist is exceptional. It also encouraged the community to attend the campus forums and fill out the survey to provide their feedback.
Schwartz is scheduled to visit the campus on Thursday and Friday to meet with different groups, including open forums for staff, faculty, and students. Surveys will be used to collect anonymous feedback from the forums.
Anyone can submit questions or comments about the CU Boulder chancellor search at the provided link. cu.edu/boulder-chancellor-search/forms/questions-or-comments More information about Schwartz can be found on the CU Boulder Chancellor Search website at cu.edu/boulder-chancellor-search cu.edu/boulder-chancellor-search.
Chancellor search
Chancellor searches are carried out through the CU System office in Denver, involving the office of the president, the board of regents, budget and finance, the treasurer, and legal counsel. A third-party firm, AGB Search, was chosen for CU Boulder's chancellor search.
AGB Search's Managing Principal and CEO Dr. Rod McDavis expressed delight in assisting the University of Colorado System with the chancellor search. He mentioned the high qualifications and diverse backgrounds of the candidates, attributing their interest to CU Boulder's world-class reputation.
According to the Colorado Open Meetings Law, any finalist for a chief executive officer position must be publicly announced at least 14 days before the appointment.
CU Boulder will have a new chancellor this year for the first time since 2009 after Chancellor Phil DiStefano announced his retirement in September. DiStefano, the longest-serving chancellor with 15 years in the position, is the 11th chancellor. announced his retirement in September
Saliman expressed excitement about the opportunity to welcome new leadership and write the next chapters of CU Boulder's story, which has been ongoing for nearly 150 years.
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