From CU Boulder Today

Student leaders, chancellor lobby in DC for increased financial aid, stable research funding

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:37:03 +0000

Student leaders, chancellor lobby in DC for increased financial aid, stable research funding Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/11/2024 - 10:37

CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano, Director of the Center for Leadership Stefanie Johnson and student leaders met with members of the Colorado congressional delegation and their staff in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

The visits and a “CU in D.C.” alumni reception are an annual occurrence to connect with students and alumni studying and working in the nation’s capital.

DiStefano discussed the importance of strong and consistent federal funding for research universities. This year, funding levels were $8 billion less than authorized by lawmakers in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

He also stressed the importance of growing the federal Pell Grant to support low- and middle-income students, and highlighted the university’s efforts to lower the cost of attendance for Pell-eligible students.

Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Rep. Brittany Pettersen also heard from Center for Leadership students. The campus program allows students to participate in academic courses, experiential learning and co-curricular leader development programming.

The chancellor’s visit was supported in partnership with the CU system Office of Government Relations.

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CU Boulder ranks among best colleges for future leaders

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:57:01 +0000

CU Boulder ranks among best colleges for future leaders Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/18/2023 - 10:57

CU Boulder has been ranked among the nation’s top public and private universities in Time Magazine’s Best Colleges for Future Leaders, less than five years after launching the Center for Leadership on campus.

Ranked No. 64 in the analysis, which examined the alma maters of 2,000 of the most influential leaders in the U.S. from business, government, academia and culture, CU Boulder was the only Colorado school included on the list. The analysis weighted the relative number of leaders by the size of school.

Founded in fall 2020 under the direction of Chancellor Phil DiStefano, the CU Boulder Center for Leadership supports leadership on campus by providing funding and working collaboratively with 32 affiliated leadership programs from across campus.

“CU Boulder has long been a place where students can establish and cultivate their leadership skills, and I’m excited that this emphasis is growing under our Center for Leadership,” DiStefano said. “We know that leadership experiences in the formative college years are not simply valuable to students but crucial to building future leaders in our democratic society.”

With the belief that “leadership is within us all,” the center offers a multitude of high impact programs including professional coaching, experiential leadership intensives and a mentoring program to help support students on their leadership journey. All of these programs are open to students from across campus and are offered at no cost to the student.

“We know that employers want students who see themselves as leaders but are also able to work in teams, think critically and communicate effectively. This is why we are focused on working with students to help them develop their identity as leaders while also equipping them with tangible leadership skills,” said Stefanie K. Johnson, director of the Center for Leadership and associate professor at the Leeds School of Business.

With a mission of investing in the leadership potential of all students and developing ethical, impactful leaders, the center seeks to to help students across the campus better understand what it means to be a leader.

“There are many students on campus who don’t see themselves as leaders, but we can see the leadership potential within them and we try to bring their gifts to light through our programs and by supporting our affiliates,” said Jessi Follett, program coordinator for the Center for Leadership.

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Grit, humor: Key ingredients for leadership

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:42:39 +0000

Grit, humor: Key ingredients for leadership Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/04/2023 - 13:42

Julie Poppen

In a talk filled with historical remembrances and nostalgia—the type only possible after decades in civic life—and sprinkled with jokes and a hearty laugh, former U.S. presidential adviser David Gergen conjured what he believes makes a good leader.

Top on his list: grit, humor, empathy.

At 81 years old, Gergen has certainly seen (and overheard) a lot. He served as a White House adviser to presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton, crossing political party boundaries in a way that is pretty much unheard of today. He remains a political commentator and analyst, providing expertise on various television networks, including CNN and PBS.

Here are a few takeaways from his talk at Macky Auditorium this week as the eighth speaker in the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, a signature event of the CU Boulder Center for Leadership.

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Philip DiStefano to retire as chancellor, lead in other campus roles

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:08:14 +0000

Philip DiStefano to retire as chancellor, lead in other campus roles Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/26/2023 - 14:08

CU Boulder Today

Chancellor Philip DiStefano addressed the CU Boulder community today in his State of the Campus speech about the university’s holistic focus on student success. During the speech, he announced plans to retire as chancellor after nearly 15 years in the role and 50 years on campus.

He intends to return to the faculty in the School of Education, where he first began his CU Boulder career as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in 1974.

Starting in fall 2024, his primary duties will include serving as the senior executive director at the Center for Leadership and the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership. He will continue to engage with major donors and highly engaged alumni across the university landscape. Also, he will support the transition of the next CU Boulder chancellor.

“It has been such a rewarding and humbling experience to serve as chancellor of Colorado’s flagship university for the past 15 years,” DiStefano said in the speech. “I am so proud of our faculty, staff and students and all that you have accomplished, and I also will treasure the many alumni, donors, parents and friends of the university I was lucky enough to meet. Finally, I want to thank my family for their support and for allowing me to miss birthdays, anniversaries and holidays because of my duties to the university.”

Born and raised in the diverse working-class steel and coal town of Steubenville, Ohio, DiStefano is a first-generation college graduate who began his education career as a high school English teacher near his hometown. DiStefano has spent the remainder of his professional career as a leader within the CU Boulder community, serving as an educator, dean, provost and chancellor.

DiStefano was named chancellor on May 5, 2009. In addition, he serves as the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership, overseeing CU Boulder’s prestigious leadership programs—a role he plans to continue after his term as chancellor concludes.

A resident of Boulder for more than 40 years, DiStefano has been active in local, regional and national organizations, including leadership roles within the Association of American Universities, the NCAA and the Pac-12 athletic conference. He serves on the Boulder Community Health Board of Directors and maintains close connections with numerous other civic organizations, including many where he has held leadership and advisory positions in the past. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University and West Virginia University.

DiStefano has dedicated his career to making CU Boulder a nationally recognized research institution that shapes tomorrow’s leaders and has a positive impact on humanity. He is a proud supporter of Buffs athletics, a champion of democracy and a believer in the value of town-gown partnerships.

He and his wife, Yvonne, have three daughters and two grandchildren.

DiStefano said he expects a national search will occur for his successor and University of Colorado system President Todd Saliman will share more information on the search process in the coming days and weeks.

Watch a video recording, or read the transcript of the address.

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When the dealin’s done: Molly Bloom counts lessons from the poker table

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:36:45 +0000

When the dealin’s done: Molly Bloom counts lessons from the poker table Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/03/2023 - 08:36

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A conversation with Molly Bloom, author of Molly’s Game

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:46:16 +0000

A conversation with Molly Bloom, author of Molly’s Game Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/28/2023 - 11:46

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Molly Bloom, author of ‘Molly’s Game,’ to speak at CU Feb. 27

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 15:31:42 +0000

Molly Bloom, author of ‘Molly’s Game,’ to speak at CU Feb. 27 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 01/25/2023 - 08:31

Molly Bloom, a CU Boulder alumna, bestselling author and entrepreneur best known for her memoir Molly’s Game, will speak in Macky Auditorium on Monday, Feb. 27.

The talk is part of the CU Center for Leadership’s Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are required and will be $2 for students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $20 for the general public. Tickets will be available starting Jan. 25 at 10 a.m.

During her talk, Bloom will share her advice to students confronted with pivotal choices, her challenges as a woman in a male-dominated environment and tips on maintaining personal values in a competitive world.

“Molly Bloom has a remarkable life story to share, filled with triumphs, failures and valuable lessons,” said Chancellor Phil DiStefano. “I’m certain that her perspectives on ambition, achievement and the human condition will be a fascinating message for students and the wider campus community.”

�鶹��Ƶ the speaker

Bloom’s memoir, which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name, chronicles her journey from CU Boulder student to Los Angeles and New York where she built, and for a time, operated one of the largest and most notorious private poker games in the world.

The games featured hundreds of millions of dollars and players such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, A-Rod and Ben Affleck. U.S. authorities discovered the games, and eventually charged more than 30 people with crimes, including Bloom. In 2014, she was sentenced to a year of probation for her role in the poker games.

Since her book release in 2014, Bloom has appeared on numerous shows and in media outlets such as Ellen, Vice, The Los Angeles Times, NPR and Vulture; and she has been asked to speak at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women, for companies like Blackrock Financial, Dell, Google, SiriusXM Radio and Uber.

She also shares her inspiring story of change as a keynote speaker in venues around the country. Recently, she launched the One World Group to support women facing various challenges, especially those exacerbated by the global pandemic.

Bloom is the seventh speaker in the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, brought to campus by the Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership.

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Scott Battle named dean of Continuing Education and vice provost

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:53:18 +0000

Scott Battle named dean of Continuing Education and vice provost Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/09/2022 - 09:53

CU Boulder Vice Chancellor for Academic Resource Management Ann Schmiesing has appointed Scott Battle as dean of Continuing Education and vice provost, effective Nov. 1. Battle has been serving as acting dean and vice provost following the retirement of Sara Thompson in January 2022.

“Scott brings valuable leadership and administrative experience in higher education online programming to this role,” said Schmiesing. “His creativity and ability to foster collaborative partnerships will be an asset as the campus continues to forge new educational pathways and outreach for nontraditional audiences.”

The dean of Continuing Education and vice provost is the chief academic and administrative officer of the Division of Continuing Education with campuswide responsibility for summer session, outreach and engagement, and implementing a support infrastructure to deliver online educational opportunities in collaboration with campus leadership. The position reports to the vice chancellor for academic resource management.

“I am extremely honored for this opportunity to expand Continuing Education’s engagement with, and service to, the CU Boulder community,” said Battle. “We will focus on the student experience and CU Boulder’s academic strengths in very intentional ways. I look forward to extending the university’s reach to new and more diverse audiences.”

Battle joined Continuing Education in 2016 as assistant dean for online academic programs and director of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from The George Washington University and a master’s degree in strategic management from Claremont Graduate University.

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Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:10:54 +0000

Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/26/2022 - 11:10

The �鶹��Ƶ is proud to announce the launch of a worldwide education coalition in support of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, with the goal to broaden understanding of the human rights impacts of a changing global climate and galvanize people to take action.

The Dec. 1–4 summit is co-hosted by United Nations Human Rights and CU Boulder, and will take place virtually and in person on the university’s Boulder campus.

Learners and educators of all ages, from primary school classrooms to university research labs, are invited to engage in this landmark event through the new Right Here, Right Now Education Coalition. Participating institutions and individuals will receive free access to a coalition toolkit—including information on how to host watch parties and how to spread the word about the connection between human rights and climate change, and why that connection matters to everyone.

“Climate change is already having impacts that stretch far beyond the foothills of Boulder, Colorado,” said Heidi VanGenderen, CU Boulder’s first chief sustainability officer and co-chair of the summit’s steering committee. “We want to give students of all ages a chance to learn and share their experiences through this event in classrooms and communities across the globe—which will, at the same time, help us to lower our own carbon footprint for the summit.”

Right Here, Right Now Education Coalition partners include the Association of American Universities (AAU), American Council on Education (ACE), Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Association of Public & Land Grant Universities, Global Council for Science and the Environment, Second Nature, the International Sustainable Campus Network and the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3). Through this coalition, the summit is already connecting with thousands of educational institutions and related entities around the world.

To reach even more learners, departments, classes, clubs and people affiliated with educational institutions are encouraged to join the summit by watching events from their computers and phones—either live or through recordings. Many will organize “watch parties” on their campuses and in their communities to encourage conversations about the content of the summit and, just as important, the human rights-based climate solutions that emanate from its discussions.

Summit organizers are also developing climate education and summit-specific resources for educators and will share them with coalition members as they become available.

“The summit organizers want to thank our amazing partners,” VanGenderen said. “To solve the world’s climate crisis, young people from all nations need the chance to learn about how climate change is affecting their own communities. These organizations are helping to share those opportunities with the next generation of global leaders.”

The summit will bring together thought leaders, youth activists, and scientific, political, educational, cultural and industry experts from around the world for keynote addresses and panels exploring how climate change impacts fundamental rights, including the right to food, safe water, housing and health. The event will include three keynote speakers and more than 30 other panelists and speakers from Colombia, Cameroon, Trinidad and beyond.

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Top takeaways from State of the Campus 2022

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:48:25 +0000

Top takeaways from State of the Campus 2022 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/14/2022 - 14:48

Chancellor Philip DiStefano delivered his annual State of the Campus address on Tuesday, Sept. 13, highlighting the role that universities can play in supporting democracy.

According to recent surveys, 58% of U.S. adults say they’re not satisfied with the way democracy is working in America. And only half of American adults polled said they think colleges and universities are having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country.

College and universities must change this course, starting at CU Boulder, DiStefano said.

DiStefano urged students, faculty and staff to dedicate themselves to upholding democracy in three key ways:

Support free speech and thoughtful discourse.
Conduct research that informs policy and serves the public good.
Enable and encourage participation in the democratic process.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring every person has the opportunity to participate while bringing their unique identities to bear.

“We must embrace diversity of all kinds, critique existing ‘ways of doing things’ and commit to change to ensure that the promises of democracy are not reserved for only a few,” he said.

In the coming year, DiStefano said he would seek opportunities for the university to demonstrate its commitment to democracy. Members of the campus community are encouraged to share thoughts and ideas for how CU Boulder can embrace this mission.

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