History of the Chancellorship
The chancellor reports directly to the CU system President, Todd Saliman, who governs the entire four-campus system (Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and Anschutz Medical Campus), and also works with the CU system’s elected Board of Regents.
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:
Is the top academic leader of the university
Provides oversight of all academic, fiscal and administrative duties
Establishes and executes an overarching vision for the campus
Raises philanthropic support and acts as the university’s public face
Reports to the CU system president and works with other CU chancellors on system strategic goals
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