History of the Chancellorship
The chancellor reports directly to the President, , who governs the entire four-campus system (Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and Anschutz Medical Campus), and also works with the CU system’s elected .
Since the position was established in 1974, the campus has had 12 chancellors. The current chancellor, Justin Schwartz, started on July 1, 2024.
What Does a Chancellor Do?
CU Boulder’s chancellor oversees everything related to the campus, while also providing a vision for the university’s future. The chancellor:
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Is the top academic leader of the university
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Provides oversight of all academic, fiscal and administrative duties
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Establishes and executes an overarching vision for the campus
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Raises philanthropic support and acts as the university’s public face
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Reports to the CU system president and works with other CU chancellors on system strategic goals
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Collaborates with shared governance organizations on campus, including Boulder Faculty Assembly, Staff Council, CU Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Government
Past Chancellors
Lawson Crowe
1974-76
Mary Frances Berry
1976-77
J. Russell Nelson
1977-81
Milton E. Lipetz
1981-82
Harrison Shull
1982-85
William H. Baughn
1985-86
James N. Corbridge
1986-94
Roderic B. Park
1994-97
Richard L. Byyny
1997-2005
G.P. “Bud” Peterson
2006-09
Philip P. DiStefano
2009-24
Justin Schwartz
2024-present