Coffin named sole finalist for vice chancellor for student affairs post at CU-Boulder

Deb Coffin (Photo: Casey A. Cass/University of Colorado)

Deborah J. “Deb” Coffin has been named the sole finalist for the University of Colorado Boulder’s vice chancellor for student affairs as decided by a search committee. CU- Boulder Provost Russell L. Moore made the announcement last week; Coffin has served in the post in an interim capacity since July 2011.

“The search committee has forwarded Deb’s name to me as sole finalist,” Moore said. “I want to congratulate the committee on its good work. Deb is an outstanding colleague, a highly qualified and talented administrator, and a person who brings student, campus and community stakeholders together in everything she does.”

Coffin met Monday, Dec. 12, with campus constituent groups in a series of five sessions to outline her vision for the post and to answer questions. The provost will be soliciting feedback from the groups on her candidacy.

The 10-member internal search committee was chaired by Anne Heinz, associate vice chancellor for summer session, outreach and engagement and dean of continuing education. The committee represented constituencies that included Parent Relations, Housing and Dining Services, Intercollegiate Athletics, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, University of Colorado Student Government and the Office of Student Affairs.

“The committee was unanimous in its selection of Deb Coffin as a finalist,” Heinz said. “Her performance in previous key CU posts – including as interim vice chancellor for student affairs – has created a record of high achievement and success that has transformed our Student Affairs division. The committee believes it is vital to continue this important work under her vision and leadership.”

Prior to her service as interim vice chancellor for student affairs, Coffin served as associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students from 2008-11, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and executive director of Housing and Dining Services from 2006-08 and executive director of Housing and Dining Services from 2001-2006.

Coffin also served in various housing leadership capacities at the University of Northern Colorado (1982-95; 1998-2001) and the University of Wyoming (1995-98).

She earned a bachelor’s degree in community health education (1977), a bachelor’s in biology education (1985) and a master’s in human communication theory from the University of Northern Colorado.

She also served a mission in the United States Peace Corps (1977-78) in the Philippines.