CU-Boulder’s Rankin receives Excellence in Leadership Award

Rankin, left, was introduced by Cynthia Husek, assistant vice chancellor for research operations. (Photo: David Sprouse/University of Colorado)

Patricia Rankin, associate vice chancellor for research at the University of Colorado Boulder, on Friday received the annual Excellence in Leadership Award, given by the systemwide Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP).

The award presentation was made during the annual ELP luncheon and lecture, attended by more than 140 program alumni and others at the Brown Palace in Denver.

“ELP is the only program that brings together faculty and staff to facilitate leadership and networking between campuses,” said Janet Lowe, director of CU’s Employee Learning and Development division, which runs ELP.

Designed for senior managers, ELP provides opportunities for CU faculty and staff to become more effective leaders who can successfully address the challenges of a dynamic university. University leaders gain knowledge and skills while building professional relationships and strengthening their understanding of CU’s business operations.

Since 2000, more than 449 CU faculty and staff have completed the program. The luncheon is an opportunity to bring together program alumni for continuing collaboration and networking.

Richard D. Krugman, M.D., vice chancellor for health affairs for CU Denver and dean of the CU School of Medicine. (Photo: David Sprouse/University of Colorado)

In the luncheon’s Leadership Lecture, Richard D. Krugman, M.D., vice chancellor for health affairs for CU Denver and dean of the CU School of Medicine, emphasized the increasing responsibilities and pressure that came with increased responsibility. “The higher you get, the more people turn up the heat,” he said.

Krugman announced in January that he will retire as dean once his successor is named. He provided the audience with personal leadership observations, which he feels allowed him to thrive in his position for more than 20 years. Among them: foster collaboration instead of competition; stress the importance of doing the right thing and place your trust in your team.

Cynthia Husek, assistant vice chancellor for research operations, introduced Rankin, noting that she has created a culture of continuous improvement that has yielded remarkable change within research administration on the CU-Boulder campus.

“As she grows and develops, so do the people around her,” Husek said.

Rankin has played a key role in efforts that saw CU-Boulder’s research operation grow 15 percent in the past fiscal year, and she was instrumental in reinvigorating long-stalled projects.

In accepting the award, Rankin said that ELP gave her a chance to examine and refine her leadership style. “Fundamentally, I am a problem solver,” Rankin said, adding that ELP taught her to value different learning styles and how to leverage those styles to reach consensus.

The event was sponsored by TIAA-CREF Financial Services, and also featured remarks from Richard Heller, senior vice president, Midwest region, and head of national government and religious markets; and E. Jill Pollock, vice president, Employee and Information Services, CU.