With Purpose and Vision, Elizabeth Loboa Begins Her Tenure as Provost

When Elizabeth Loboa stepped into the role of provost of the University of Denver on August 20, she brought with her not just an impressive background in academic leadership, but a clear vision and sense of purpose.

“Our campus is beautiful, our programs are strong, and our student experience is unique,” she says. “Too few people know that. We need to make the value of a DU education clear to students, families, and the broader community.”

Born and raised in northern California, Loboa—known as “Elo”—started her own higher education journey at Modesto Community College before transferring to UC Davis to study mechanical engineering. She went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford in biomechanical engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively. This nontraditional path shaped how she views the value of higher education.

She was drawn to DU for its robust focus on teaching and research, supportive community, and 4D Experience, its holistic approach to learning. She’s eager to build on and amplify these strengths.

“I was very impressed by DU’s commitment to the teacher-scholar model and to the student experience,” she says. “Faculty here are producing outstanding research, but they’re also deeply engaged in the classroom, and the students feel that. Everyone I’ve met cares deeply about their success.”

Rising to the moment

Loboa arrives at a pivotal moment, as higher education navigates shifting demographics, rapid technological change, and growing public scrutiny. She sees these challenges as opportunities for DU to sharpen its focus, and she’s ready for the task.

“Engineers work in large, interdisciplinary, collaborative teams. We like to work on major problems across diverse backgrounds and fields,” she says. “I plan to use that experience to bring people together to solve challenges and pursue new opportunities.”

As DU’s chief academic officer, Loboa oversees academic programs, supports faculty, and enhances the student experience while advancing impactful research. Before coming to DU, she spent five years as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Southern Methodist University, starting at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and guiding the university through unprecedented challenges. She previously served as dean and Ketcham Professor at the University of Missouri’s College of Engineering, where she also took on the role of vice chancellor for strategic partnerships, and she has held faculty appointments at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University.

Throughout her career, Loboa has embraced innovation and forward thinking—an approach she’s bringing to DU as higher education faces rapid change, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence. 

“AI is here to stay, and I’d like DU to be a leader in how we think about and use AI, always keeping ethics in mind,” she says. “How are we preparing students to enter a workforce where AI is everywhere?” She sees DU’s mix of STEM expertise and liberal arts education as a powerful advantage, blending analytical rigor with critical thinking to tackle complex challenges like these.

Early priorities

As she settles in at DU, one of Loboa’s first priorities is holding “listening and learning sessions” across campus. “I want to get into every school and college and hear what’s on their minds, what they would like out of their new provost,” she says. She also plans to make herself available to faculty and staff and keep communication open. 

“I believe in being transparent,” she adds, noting that she looks forward to sharing weekly updates on academic affairs and making more data available to the community. “My approach is data-informed, but always collaborative. Data helps guide decisions, but people are what make a university thrive.”

Loboa is also focused on highlighting DU’s strengths and sees particular value in the 4D Experience, which integrates intellectual growth, well-being, character, and career readiness. 

“It’s exactly what students need right now: The 4D Experience helps us not only educate students who will be exceptional in their disciplines but also nurture them to be their very best selves,” she says. “I want to make sure faculty and staff feel connected to the 4D Experience and are supported in delivering it.”

A personal touch

For Loboa, who has five adult children, leadership is both professional and personal. “I wear two hats: provost and parent,” she says. “Every decision I make, I think, how would I feel about this if it were my kid?”

Outside the office, she and her husband, Todd, are avid equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts, drawn to Colorado for its trails and scenery. “We ride, we hike, the kids ski, and my husband just started fly fishing,” she says. “We wanted to be somewhere that felt like home, and Denver already does.”