CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks to step down in August
CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks on Tuesday announced she will step down as chancellor Aug. 25 to spend more time with family members facing health-related concerns. She will join the faculty of the CU Denver Business School as a professor.
“I have treasured my time leading this institution because of the students we serve and because of the incredible faculty, staff and administration, alumni, donors, partners and supporters that I’ve gotten to know during my time as chancellor,” Marks stated in her communication to the CU Denver community.
Following Marks’ announcement, CU President Todd Saliman named Dr. Ann Schmiesing interim chancellor of the Denver campus effective Aug. 26. Schmiesing, a faculty member and vice chancellor for academic resource management at CU Boulder, will return to the Boulder campus when a new CU Denver chancellor is on board, and will not be a candidate for the permanent position.
“I am grateful for all Chancellor Marks has done for CU Denver and higher education,” Saliman said. “She has been an excellent leader who has put CU Denver in a strong position for the future. She has worked tirelessly to help ensure our students’ success and has worked collaboratively with the campus to create thoughtful and sustainable efforts in enrollment, diversity, advancement, academics, budget and research.
“I am pleased Dr. Schmiesing will serve as interim chancellor and will work closely with Chancellor Marks to ensure an effective transition as we conduct a national search for the next chancellor of our Denver campus. I know Dr. Schmiesing will provide the strong interim leadership that will keep the campus on its upward trajectory.”
Said Schmiesing, “I am honored to undertake this temporary role at a vital time for CU Denver. I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to help advance their success at one of the nation’s premier public urban research universities.”
Marks was appointed chancellor in July 2020, joining CU from George Mason University in Virginia, where she served as vice president for academic innovation and new ventures. During her time as CU Denver chancellor, Marks has led the campus through significant events and achievements, including the COVID pandemic, the development of a 2030 strategic plan and an increase in sponsored research awards by 50%. Additionally, under Marks’ leadership, CU Denver regained its status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and was designated an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
Schmiesing leads multiple strategic projects at CU Boulder and oversees the graduate school, continuing education, CU Boulder Online and the campus’s research infrastructure. In addition to her faculty role, she has served as a department chair, director of a residential academic community and dean of the graduate school. Schmiesing earned a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, an M.A. from the University of Washington, and a B.A. from Willamette University.
Saliman has announced the national search for the next CU Denver chancellor will begin soon, with a focus on identifying a highly qualified pool of diverse candidates. The search process will be guided by CU Regent Policy and assisted by AGB Search, the firm engaged in the recent successful CU Boulder chancellor search.
Dr. Judi Diaz Bonacquisti, CU’s senior diversity officer, will chair the search committee. Diaz Bonacquisti will soon communicate the next steps in the search process.