Update on Chief Operations Officer Position

Dear DU community members,

I am writing to share more information about the senior vice chancellor for operations and strategy (SVC OSI)—the new cabinet position we announcedin March. This position will fill the spot on the Chancellor’s Cabinet made open when the University restructured the chief of staff position to no longer operate at a senior vice chancellor level. The SVC OSI will report to the chancellor’s office.  

The SVC OSI will play both an operational and key strategic leadership role at the University. Working closely with colleagues on the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the individual in this position will monitor progress toward university goals including key performance indicators as defined by the Board of Trustees, the University’s Five Strategic Imperatives, and the cabinet’s annual plan of work.

The following departments and divisions will report to the individual serving as DU’s SVC OSI:

We are in the process of conducting a national search for an individual with the best skills and experience to succeed in this role. The search committee has been charged with identifying, recruiting and referencing a pool of 3 to 5 candidates. The search process will be guided by our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as finding an individual that aligns and advances DU’s culture, values and character.  

We have hired Storbeck & Associates as the search firm, and we hope to have a successful candidate start in the role no later than January 1, 2024.

The search committee leaders and members are as follows:

Co-Chairs

Val Otten, senior vice chancellor, advancement  

Allison Riola, interim chief of staff, chancellor’s office

Members

Stu Halsall, associate vice chancellor, Kennedy Mountain Campus, wellness and recreation

Molly Hooker, deputy Title IX coordinator  

Lynn Schofield Clark, distinguished professor and director, Estlow Center, media, film and journalism studies, CAHSS

Alejandro Ceron Valdes, associate professor & chair, cultural anthropology, CAHSS

Noelle Strom, vice president, Staff Advisory Council

Gen. George Casey (MA ’80), trustee  

Renea Morris, vice chancellor, Marketing and Communications

Thank you to our search committee members for giving their time and expertise to finding the best candidates for this position.  

Sincerely,

Jeremy Haefner

Chancellor