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Dear faculty and staff,

Welcome back! I hope you had a restful holiday weekend and that your semester is off to a great start.

I’m reminded that even in times of uncertainty, there is beauty and growth if we look for it. I was inspired by the words of Isabel Wilkerson as she amplified and commemorated the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at last week’s convocation, and I’m excited about the enthusiasm I’m hearing for elevating our campus sustainability work internally and externally. Our innovative faculty and staff lead the nation in numerous areas of research and creative work, as demonstrated by the opening of our Quantum Incubator in Boulder last week, which holds tremendous potential for massive impact on the region’s economy.

As we start the semester, I want to reiterate my gratitude for your work and provide a few important updates.

Listening Tour

I am so appreciative of all the faculty, staff and students who participated in the Listening Tour last semester. The visits were inspiring and thought-provoking, and I’ve learned so much more about what sets CU Boulder apart.

I’ve also heard from the Boulder Faculty Assembly leadership about priorities identified in faculty surveys. I look forward to engaging in these conversations in the coming months. Together we can focus our efforts to reach even greater heights.

We’ll be updating the webpage soon to share themes that emerged from the , and you can share any additional comments now through the .

I’m planning to visit several more institutes, centers and units this semester, and I’m excited to work together to strengthen our shared vision as a campus and address our challenges and opportunities.

Preparing for new leadership

CU Boulder will welcome several new faces to its leadership team this year.

We have launched the , with nominations and applications accepted through Feb. 28. I encourage all of you to share the news with colleagues across the nation and consider making nominations.

Provost Moore announced on Friday that Amanda Haertling Thein has been chosen as the , joining us from the University of Iowa.

We also just completed interviewing three finalists for our inaugural , and the search is ongoing for the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on these important positions.

I appreciate all of your input and patience as our evolves. I’m looking forward to working with our new team members this year — and all of you who continue to serve CU Boulder.

Focusing on our mission 

As our campus shifts and evolves, so does our nation and world.

Yesterday brought the inauguration of a new president. As the new federal administration gets established, CU Boulder has launched a to keep faculty, staff and students informed. The university will continue analyzing what impact the transitions will have on higher education and the campus.

Whatever happens this semester, CU Boulder’s academic, research and public service missions will not waver. Our focus remains on our campus strategic priorities, including student success, closing retention and graduation gaps across student populations, and supporting positive recruitment, retention and engagement outcomes for faculty and staff. We will continue to pursue excellence and impact via our research, scholarly and creative contributions. CU Boulder is committed to improving access to higher education and to reflecting the demographics of Colorado while remaining a world leader in the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

To achieve our goals, our campus will remain dedicated to the open exchange of ideas and offering educational and research opportunities that shed light on the challenges our society faces. We will continue to uphold and follow an as we support campus activism. It’s also essential that each of us adheres to the university’s to ensure a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all.

Thank you so much for being part of the CU Boulder community.

Best wishes on a successful semester,

Justin Schwartz
Chancellor