Excellence in Leadership Program

Overview

The Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP), hosted by the CU System Employee Services Office, provides an exceptional opportunity for faculty and staff from the four CU System campuses and System office to become effective leaders. ELP fellows participate in a nine-month (August–April) program designed to broaden their understanding of the University of Colorado and to develop the skills necessary to be a successful leader. CU Boulder has supported program participation by more than 200 faculty and staff since 2002.

Faculty Nomination Process

Staff and faculty nomination and selection processes are separate. The CU Boulder faculty nomination and selection process occurs in the spring semester. CU Boulder selects eight faculty fellows annually.  

Eligible nominees are tenured faculty who have demonstrated both their commitment to the University and their potential as future leaders. They may or may not currently serve in a leadership position.

Deans nominate faculty by February 7 by email to Merinda McLure, Faculty Director of Academic Leadership Development. Faculty are encouraged to indicate to their respective deans their interest in being nominated (faculty self-nominations are not accepted). Merinda McLure begins notifying selected fellows and their deans by April 30.  

Program Commitment

Participation in the program is a significant time commitment that begins with a two-day retreat in August and runs through April. Fellows participate in a full schedule of workshops held throughout the year at the four CU campuses and the Denver CU System office (see, for example, the 2024–2025 schedule; dates vary annually). Fellows also commit to a schedule of monthly conversations (September–April) with CU Boulder senior leaders, held on the CU Boulder campus. 

Meet the ELP Alumni

  • Reece Auguiste, Associate Professor and Chair, Critical Media Practices
  • Amy Bauer, Associate Dean for Instructional Development, Law
  • Mandy Cole, Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Planning, Budget and Fiscal Planning
  • Elizabeth Dutro, Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty, School of Education
  • John Evans, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Curriculum, Ann and HJ Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.
  • Marlon Lynch, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety, Public Safety
  • Kevin Mahan, Professor, Geological Sciences
  • Erika Randall, Associate Dean for Student Success, Theatre and Dance
  • Caroline Sinkinson, Director Learning and Engagement Team, University Libraries
  • Kylee Thomas, Assistant Director for Events, Protocol and Outreach, Office of the Chancellor
  • Zack Tupper, Assistant Vice Provost, Academic Resource Management, Provost's Office
  • LA Varela, Assistant Vice Provost, Academic Support & Enrichment, Office of Undergraduate Education
  • Alexia Brunet Marks, Associate Professor, Law School
  • Cindy Thill, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Health and Wellness, Health and Wellness Services within Strategic Resources & Support
  • Ed Van Wesep, Professor, Leeds School of Business
  • Jacqueline Loya, Events and Outreach, Office of the Chancellor
  • Jeff York, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Operations, Leeds School of Business
  • Jennifer Fluri, Professor and Department Chair, Geography, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Leila Heil, Associate Professor of Music Education, College of Music
  • Lynne Howard, Program Coordinator, Boulder Faculty Assembly
  • Megan Welsh, Associate Professor, University Libraries
  • Peter Hamlington, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Robyn Fergus, Chief People Officer, Human Resources
  • Samantha Hertenstein, Program Director for Academic Review and Strategic Initiatives, Office of Faculty Affairs
  • Shideh Dashti, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Max Boykoff, Professor and Chair, Environmental Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Lindsey Fell, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, Office of the Chancellor
  • Carrie Howard, Assistant Dean for Budget and Finance, College of Music
  • Amy Javernick-Will, Professor, Construction Engineering Management, College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Stacy Lindholm, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Sustainability, Owner representative
  • Caitlin Manning, ADA Coordinator and Director of ADA Compliance, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
  • Vicki Nichol, Controller, Office of the Campus Controller
  • Austin Okigbo, Associate Professor and Chair, Musicology, College of Music
  • Hanspeter Schaub, Professor and Chair, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Glenn Murphy Endowed Chair, College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Scott Skinner-Thompson, Associate Professor, Colorado Law
  • Rick Stevens, Associate Professor and Chair, Media Studies, College of Media, Communication and Information
  • Juleah Swanson, Associate Professor, Lead, Acquisition and Accounting Services Section, University Libraries
  • Dan Zhang, Professor and Interim Chair, Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Operations Division, Leeds School of Business
  • Margaret Berg, Professor of Music Education and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Music
  • Rebecca Bell, Executive Director, Real Estate Services
  • Darren Chavez, Manager of Provost’s Office Operations, Academic Affairs
  • Orrie Gartner, Interim Deputy CIO and Director of IT Infrastructure and Engineering, Office of Information Technology
  • Nils Halverson, Professor and Department Chair, Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
  • Amy Lenahan, Executive Assistant, Office of the Chancellor
  • Christine LV, Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Jennifer McDuffie, Associate Vice Chancellor, Division of Student Affairs
  • Merinda Mclure, Lead, Research Engagement Section; Health and Human Sciences Librarian; Associate Professor, University Libraries
  • Donna Mejia, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Theatre & Dance
  • Nathalie Moyen, Professor and Division Chair, Leeds School of Business
  • Sean Shaheen, Professor, Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering
  • Anu Sharma, Professor, Speech Language and Hearing Sciences 
  • Emina Begovic, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Resource Management
  • Austin Banks, Dean of Students, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
  • Brandon Boger, Director, Environmental Health & Safety
  • Susan Jurow, Learning Sciences & Human Development, Education, Prof, Assoc Dean of Diversity and Community Engagement
  • Rebecca Kuglitsch, University Libraries, Assoc Prof, Branches & Services Team Lead
  • Abbie Liel, Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering, Assoc Prof, Dept Leader for Outreach
  • Julie Lundquist, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Assoc Prof, Graduate Advisor
  • Helen Norton, Law, Prof, Former Associate Dean
  • Llen Pomeroy, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Deputy Title IX Coordinator
  • Hillary Potter, Ethnic Studies, Assoc Prof, Assoc Dean for Inclusive Practice
  • Katrina Spencer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance
  • Tony Tong, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, operations, Leeds, Prof, Department Chair
  • Ka Yong Kleiner, Program Director for Academic Review, Communications & Strategic Initiatives, Office of Faculty Affairs
  • Arturo Aldama, Associate Professor and Chair, Ethnic Studies, College of Arts and Sciences  
  • Nate Bindel, Senior Director, Budget and Finance, Continuing Education
  • Robin Burke, Professor, Information Science, College of Media Communication and information
  • Katja Friedrich, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences  
  • Millie Gort, Professor, Education Equity & Cultural Diversity, School of Education
  • Juliet Gopinath, Associate Professor, Electrical Computer & Energy Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Brian Lindoerfer, Assistant Vice Chancellor Facility Management College of Engineering and Applied Science  
  • Quentin McAndrew, Executive Director Digital Initiatives and Assistant VP
  • Kenny Nelson, Director, HR Service Center  
  • Mark Rentschler, Associate Professor and Co-Director, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences  
  • Hanna Rose Shell, Associate Professor, Art & Art History, Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Valerie Simons, Associate Vice Chancellor, OIEC  
  • Candace Smith, AVC, Strategic Relations and Issues Management  
  • Gabrielle Wiersma, Associate Professor and Director, University Libraries
  • E. Scott Adler, Professor, Political Science, A&S
  • Francisca Antman, Assistant Professor, Economics, IBS, A&S
  • Kirsi Aulin, Director, Ombuds Office
  • Ryan Bachtell, Associate Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience, A&S
  • Lisa Flores, Associate Professor, Communication Department, CMCI
  • Celeste Montoya, Associate Professor, Women and Gender Studies, A&S,
  • Leslie Reynolds, Interim Dean, Associate Professor, Libraries
  • Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, CEAS
  • Derek Silva, Executive Director, Real Estate Services
  • Christina Tenerowicz, Associate Director, Business Analysis & Solution Architecture, OIT
  • Thomas Vossen, Associate Professor, Division Chair, Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Operations, Leeds School of Business 
  • Maia Andreasen, Director of Budget and Operations, Office of Student Affairs.
  • William Aspray, Professor and Associate Department Chair, Department of Information Science, College of Media, Communication and Information
  • Robin Dowell, Associate Professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, BioFrontiers Institute, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Chris Ewing, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Planning, Design and Construction
  • Erin Furtak, Associate Professor, School of Education
  • Amy Griffin, Associate Dean for Instructional Development, University of Colorado Law School
  • Gregor Henze, Professor and Victor Charles Schelke Endowed Chair, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • Reid Kallman, Associate Registrar, Enrollment and Records Services, Office of the Registrar
  • Ruth Ellen Kocher, Professor and Chair, Department of English, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Matt McQueen, Director, Public Health Program & Associate Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Kristi Ryujin, Assistant Dean, Diversity and Inclusion, Director, Office of Diversity Affairs, Leeds School of Business
  • Somchanok "Nok" Sitchawat, Manager of Student Financial Services, Bursar’s Office
  • Bernadette Stewart, Director of Personnel, Office of the Dean College of Arts and Sciences 
  • Yonca Ertimer, Professor, Leeds School of Business
  • Erin Frazier, Director, Campus Communications and Engagement, Office of Strategic Relations
  • Harsha Gangadharbatla, Founding Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design
  • Michael Hannigan, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
  • Nicole Jenkins, Assistant Director Communications & Training, Office of Contracts and Grants
  • Angela Knight, Senior HR Director, Colorado Law School
  • Kevin MacLennan, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, Executive Director of Admissions, Admissions, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Elizabeth Meyer, Associate Dean for Teacher Education, School of Education
  • Noah Molotch, Associate Professor, INSTAAR/Geography
  • Matthew Roeder, Associate Professor; Associate Director of Bands; Director, CU Marching Band, College of Music, Department of Bands
  • Elizabeth Skewes, Associate Professor, Journalism
  • Cindy White, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Curriculum and Programs, College of Media, Communication and Information
  • Melissa Zak, Chief of Police, Police Department 
  • Jennifer Gerke, Associate Professor of Libraries
  • Brian Groves, Assistant Vice Chancellor in the Office of Business and Finance
  • Amy Lavens, Assistant Dean of Finance and Operations.
  • Amanda Lisenmeyer, Director of Women’s Resource Center
  • Shelly Miller, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
  • Michele Moses, Associate Dean in the School of Education
  • Steven Rock, Chair of the Accounting Division
  • Denitta Ward, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of the Office of Contracts and Grants
  • Jaime Zender, Chair of the Finance Division In Leeds School of Business
  • Margaret Campbell, Professor of Marketing
  • Paul Chinowsky, Mortenson Professor in Sustainable Development
  • Eric Frew, Faculty Director of RECUV
  • Richard Johnson
  • Steven Lamos, Associate Professor in English
  • Paul Moeller, Assistant Professor and Faculty Director of E- Resource & Serial Access, University Libraries.
  • Ofelia Morales
  • Jason Neff, Faculty Director of Future Earth Project
  • Amy Palmer, Associate Professor in Chemistry
  • Ronald Ried
  • Mary Steiner, Associate Dean of Students, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • Pei-San Tsai, Chair of Integrative Physiology
  • Russell Cropanzano, Chair of the Division of Management Entrepreneurship
  • Charlotte Erwin, Office of Discrimination and Harassment & Labor Relations
  • Monika Fleshner, Professor of Integrative Physiology
  • Cynthia Husek
  • Jennifer Knievel, Faculty Director of Humanities in University Libraries
  • Chris Leach, Associate Dean for Faculty and Research
  • Jonathan Leslie, University Communications
  • Scott Palo, Associate Chair of Aerospace Engineering Sciences
  • Yumi Roth, Chair of Art & Art History
  • Kenneth Anderson, Associate Chair of Computer Science
  • Alejandro Cremaschi, Associate Professor of Piano
  • Leila Gomez, Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese
  • Carla Ho-a
  • Gwen Pomper, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management/Director of Financial Aid Departments
  • Ann Schmiesing, Associate Chair of Germanic and Slavic Languages
  • Bryan Taylor, Chair of Communication
  • Laura Kornish, Associate Professor of Marketing
  • William Kuskin, Associate Chair and Professor of English
  • Kurt Maute, Associate Dean of Research
  • Keith Molenaar, Professor of Civil Environmental and Architectural Engineering
  • Thomas Perkins, Associate Professor of adjoint
  • Jeanne Quinn, Associate Professor of Art and Art History
  • Cora Randall, Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
  • Theodore Scambos, Lead Scientist of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, a part of CIRES
  • Tin Tin Su, Associate Chair of Molecular, Developmental and Cellular Biology
  • Ernesto Acevedo-Munoz, Faculty Director of Cinema Studies
  • John Davis, Faculty Director of Jazz Studies
  • Lang Farmer, Chair of Geological Sciences
  • Christine Hrenya, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Sciences
  • Sharon Matusik, Assistant Professor in Leeds School of Business
  • Michael McDevitt, Associate Professor of College of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Angela Bielefeldt, Faculty Director of Environmental Studies
  • Julien Keith, Professor of Applied Mathematics
  • Daryl Maeda, Professor of Ethnic Studies
  • Catherine Shea, Associate Vice Chancellor
  • Michael Theodore, Faculty Director of Center of Arts, Media and Performance
  • Cathleen Burns, Associate Dean of Leeds School of Business
  • Andrew Calabrese, Associate Dean of School of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Deborah Hollis, Faculty Director of Special Collections Department
  • Manuel Laguna, Associate Dean of Faculty
  • Daniel Liston, Associate Dean in School of Education
  • Diane Sieber, Faculty Director of Herbst Program
  • Penina Axelrad, Acting Chair of Aerospace Engineering Sciences
  • Victor Bright, Faculty Director for Discovery Learning
  • Steven Burns Associate Dean in College of Music
  • Donna Goldstein, Associate Professor of Anthropology
  • Patrick O’Rourke, Executive Vice Chancellor
  • Jason Armbruster, Director of Operations and Infrastructure at University Management Systems in the System office.
  • Marie Banich, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science
  • Polly McLean, Faculty Director of Women and Gender Studies
  • Brenda Romero, Associate Professor of College of Music
  • Anne Sheehan, Professor of Geological Science
  • Joann Silverstein, Department Chair of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
  • Natalie Ahn, Associate Faculty Director of Initiative Biotechnology
  • Darna Dufour, Chair of Anthropology
  • John Gibert, Associate Professor of Classics
  • Charles Rogers, Associate Chair of Physics
  • Shu-Ling Berggreen, Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Sanjai Bhagat, Professor of Finance
  • Kimberly Dicky, Associate Chair of Art and Art History
  • Lori Hunter, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
  • Elizabeth Jessup, Associate Chair of Computer Science
  • Patricia Rankin, Associate Dean for Natural Sciences
  • Mark Winey, Professor of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology
  • Brian Argrow, Associate Chair of Department of Aerospace Engineering
  • Oliver Gerland, Associate Professor of Theater
  • Susan Kent, Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs
  • Steven McNally
  • Jana Milford, Associate Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Mary Shea, Instructor in the Honors Program
  • Donald Lichtenstein, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs
  • Nina Molinaro, Faculty Director of the Women Studies Program
  • Marguerite Mortiz, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Armando Pares, Director, Evening & Credit Programs for the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.
  • Melinda Piket-May, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Research
 
Aerial view of Old Main in the winter, with the text "Excellence in Leadership Program" imposed

 

ELP News Stories