Efforts are underway to recruit a leader who can effectively serve as a liaison between CU Boulder and the city of Boulder, Boulder County, surrounding municipalities, and local business and community groups.
Last week, the university announced an external search for an assistant vice chancellor for local government and community engagement who will join CU Boulder’s Office of Government and Community Engagement (OGCE) and report to Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Resources and Support Abby Benson.
“The person who assumes this role will be a key campus leader, serving as a bridge between the campus community and external partners in support of the university’s academic and research missions,” said Benson, who oversees OGCE.
The announcement follows the March 31 retirement of Frances Draper, former senior strategic advisor for strategic partnerships, public policy and community relations.
Under the office’s new structure, the new assistant vice chancellor will be responsible for identifying opportunities to collaborate with the city of Boulder and surrounding communities and to facilitate long-term, positive relationships with city officials.
The new assistant vice chancellor will also manage and develop relationships with local government and business, economic development, community, and stakeholder groups, and advance the university’s image and reputation, build awareness about its value to the community, and generate support for policy issues of importance to the university.
The individual selected for this role will serve as the campus’s primary liaison to the Boulder City Council, the city manager’s office and with Boulder County commissioners.
Finally, the new assistant vice chancellor will provide counsel to the chancellor, the provost and the COO on key initiatives and opportunities for the university to engage with local and community entities and external partners.
