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:

 

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