Chancellor Justin Schwartz has appointed Ann Schmiesing interim vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, effective March 1. 

The newly created position is a campuswide resource, combining strategic oversight with high-level support to the chancellor, serving as a key advisor and liaison across CU �鶹ӰԺ’s executive team. The interim vice chancellor for strategic initiatives will work across internal and external constituencies to advance campus goals and ensure ongoing and consistent success. 

“I am delighted Ann has accepted this appointment to serve as our interim vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, working closely with me and other campus leaders on priority projects that will shape the direction of CU �鶹ӰԺ,” Schwartz said. “Ann brings long experience—as a talented academic and an able, highly respected administrative leader on this campus and at CU Denver—to this important new role.”

Schmiesing recently returned to the CU �鶹ӰԺ campus after serving as the interim chancellor at CU Denver last fall.

“I’m excited and honored to serve as interim vice chancellor for strategic initiatives,” Schmiesing said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with our faculty, staff, students, shared governance organizations and external partners to advance CU �鶹ӰԺ’s mission and impact.” 

Schmiesing is currently the vice chancellor for academic resource management in the provost’s office—leading academic resource strategy and analysis in support of the university’s research and teaching missions. She coordinates strategic initiatives with the various directorates in the division of Strategic Resources and Support. She also oversees the Graduate School, Continuing Education, CU �鶹ӰԺ Online and research infrastructure. 

Before assuming her current administrative role in the provost’s office, Schmiesing served as chair of the Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures (2007–11), director of the Sewall Residential Academic Program (2015–16) and dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs (2016–18). 

She received the Excellence in Leadership and Service Award from the �鶹ӰԺ Faculty Assembly in 2016. She joined the CU �鶹ӰԺ faculty in 1995 and is a professor of German and Scandinavian studies. 

“Ann is an exceptionally skilled leader and administrator, and it’s no surprise that the chancellor would tap her for this important new campus position,” Provost Russell Moore said. “Ann’s absence will leave a significant void in the Office of the Provost, but I am delighted for her and supportive of this move.”

Moore said he will announce a search process for an interim successor to Schmiesing soon.  

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Chancellor Justin Schwartz has appointed Andrew Mayock vice chancellor for sustainability, effective March 10 following an international search. 

The newly created position will be charged with establishing a university-wide sustainability leadership role, forming partnerships with faculty, positioning CU �鶹ӰԺ as a national and global sustainability leader, directly assisting local communities to make Colorado the most sustainable state in the U.S. and funding priority sustainability initiatives through internal and external sources.   

Mayock is the former chief sustainability officer for the United States government, where he led the Biden administration’s efforts on sustainability initiatives. Mayock has a proven track record and a strong reputation for driving solutions to the global challenges of climate change.

“I'm thrilled to have someone of Andrew Mayock’s caliber joining our campus,” said Schwartz. “In addition to a wealth of knowledge on sustainable policies and practices, he brings an understanding of how to build coalitions and lead effectively across large, complex organizations.”

During his tenure at the White House, Mayock focused on powering the government’s vehicles and buildings with clean energy, increasing supply chain decarbonization and resilience through the purchase of low-embodied carbon materials and increasing climate impact through domestic and international partnerships.

He will begin his duties a few weeks before the 32nd annual Campus Sustainability Summit, and in June CU �鶹ӰԺ will co-host the next Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit with UN Human Rights and the University of Oxford.

“I am honored to join the �鶹ӰԺ, where this new role reflects the university’s steadfast commitment to creating a sustainable future for our students, faculty, staff and community,” Mayock said. “As we continue to navigate the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental stewardship, I am excited to collaborate with this talented community to foster innovative solutions, inspire bold action and continue to lead the way in sustainability practices—locally and globally.”

Mayock will bring his significant experience in the government and private industry to elevate CU �鶹ӰԺ’s national and global sustainability profile.

CU �鶹ӰԺ is home to numerous research institutes and offers over 250 sustainability-related courses, while its operational units consistently push forward its ambitious climate goals: 

• CU �鶹ӰԺ named No. 1 for plant-based dining and sustainability
• 2 grants to conduct feasibility studies on geothermal energy
• CU �鶹ӰԺ part of $160M NSF-funded effort to promote climate resilience
• The construction of an East Campus solar array, breaking ground in April
• Discovery could lead to longer-lasting EV batteries, hasten energy transition
• Energy efficiency projects to upgrade 18 campus buildings

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Shanti Simon, who's held flight commander and conductor positions with the United States Air Force in Colorado Springs and Washington, D.C., will join the CU �鶹ӰԺ College of Music as director of bands.

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At the end of 2024, CU �鶹ӰԺ Distinguished Professor Daniel Baker stepped down as the director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), a position he held since 1994.

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Provost Russell Moore today announced his appointment of Amanda Haertling Thein as dean of the School of Education, effective July 1. 

“Dr. Thein (pronounced ‘tine’) has the leadership acumen, commitment and vision for launching the upward trajectory of the School of Education in a time when research in education and education policy, and the preparation of the next generation of educators, couldn’t be more critical,” Moore said.

Thein currently serves as associate provost for graduate and professional education, dean of the Graduate College and professor of education at the University of Iowa. She is a nationally recognized scholar in English and literacy education with a passion for the work of educational democracy—work that is uniquely carried out through the research, teaching and service missions of schools and colleges of education.

“I am truly honored to have this opportunity to lead a community that shares my deep commitment to educational opportunity, public education as a bulwark of democracy, and public scholarship that asks vital questions and provides answers that serve students, teachers and schools across Colorado and the nation,” Thein said.   

As an academic leader and a tenured professor at a top research university, Thein has focused her scholarship and teaching on equity in high school English language arts instruction and teacher education. She has published nearly 40 journal articles, book chapters and books; secured external funding; and served for six years as co-editor of an international literacy journal. 

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Thein to CU �鶹ӰԺ,” Moore said. “Her leadership experience and her innovative approach to aligning faculty expertise, student interests, state and regional needs, and the broader educational challenges we face nationally and globally will bring strong assets to the School of Education and to CU �鶹ӰԺ.”

Thein earned a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Denver. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and an additional bachelor’s degree in journalism from CU �鶹ӰԺ.

“I am also excited by the possibility of giving back to the university that helped shape my path in life and contributing to its continued excellence,” Thein said.

Moore thanked the search advisory committee, led by Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment, for their outstanding work. Moore also thanked Fernando Rosario-Ortiz for his continued leadership and service as interim dean during a critical transitional time.

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CU �鶹ӰԺ Dean of the Institutes Massimo Ruzzene named Frank Eparvier as interim director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

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Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Patrick O’Rourke announced today he is leaving CU �鶹ӰԺ at the end of the semester to begin a leadership role as senior vice president and chief legal officer at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

“This is a bittersweet decision, as I care deeply for our work in support of the campus mission,” said O’Rourke. “We have done remarkable work to support students, advance equity and inclusion, create new knowledge and support our community, and I will miss the opportunity to continue to support and work with the amazing leaders and staff within Strategic Resources and Support.

“The opportunity at Children’s Hospital is meaningful to me in a number of ways, which ultimately is why I have chosen to make this move. I’ve been connected with Children’s Hospital since I first began practicing law in 1995 and have a close connection to its mission. I believe I can help Children’s Hospital serve its patients in a challenging health care environment.”

O’Rourke’s time at CU �鶹ӰԺ featured a number of significant achievements, including sustaining the campus community through the COVID-19 pandemic, moving to a new budget model, integrating a shared equity leadership model and building community wellness initiatives.

“Pat O’Rourke provided courageous leadership on the �鶹ӰԺ campus through the global COVID-19 pandemic, and his leadership of the Strategic Resources and Support team has helped enable the strong foundation CU �鶹ӰԺ has today,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “I want to personally thank Pat for his strong work enabling my transition as chancellor and his countless contributions to CU �鶹ӰԺ and the broader University of Colorado system during the past 18 years. I look forward to remaining connected with Pat and I wish him well as he takes on a critical leadership role at Children’s Hospital.”

CU President Todd Saliman expressed his gratitude for Pat’s leadership at CU as well, saying, “I am deeply grateful to Pat for his dedication and service to the University of Colorado, from his days as university counsel and secretary to the Board of Regents to his role as CU �鶹ӰԺ’s executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer, where he has been a guiding force in addressing complex challenges and advancing our goals. As he embarks on this new journey, I extend my deepest thanks for his years of service and wish him continued success in the future.”

O’Rourke will be supporting campus leadership and the SRS team to ensure a smooth transition through the end of term. This week Schwartz will begin engaging with members of the CU �鶹ӰԺ executive leadership team in a series of discussions to inform succession planning for O’Rourke’s role. Decisions on next steps are anticipated in early December.

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Emily CoBabe-Ammann announced her planned retirement as Research & Innovation Office senior advisor and executive associate director (acting), Center for National Security Initiatives, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

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Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Assessment Katherine Eggert today named Erika Randall interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, effective Nov. 4. She will serve in this role for up to two years.

“Erika Randall is a committed leader in student success initiatives and brings a wealth of experience and passion to this critical role,” said Eggert. “Her vision for helping all students fulfill their potential and achieve their goals in the College of Arts and Sciences and her ability to bring teams together across campus to ask critical questions and solve problems are potent, inclusive and effective.”

Randall currently serves as associate dean for student success in the College of Arts and Sciences where she oversees A&S Academic Advising and Coaching, the Miramontes Arts and Sciences Program, the honors and academic programs, student recruitment and scholarships, and the curriculum office. She is a professor of dance in the Department of Theatre and Dance and a member of the Buff Undergraduate Success Leadership Implementation Team. She has been on the CU �鶹ӰԺ faculty since 2007 and was chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance from 2017 to 2022.

“The real and imagined barriers to transformation dissipate when we hold students and their success as our north star,” said Randall. “I look forward to thinking with my colleagues across the university and applying our knowledge, care, and experience to benefit all of our undergraduate students.”

Randall holds a master's degree in fine arts dance and choreography from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of Washington.

Randall succeeds Daryl Maeda, now interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education leads the Office of Undergraduate Education, which is charged with examining the entire undergraduate student academic experience, assessing outcomes, identifying gaps, and launching and supporting student success campus initiatives. This position reports to the vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment and serves on the provost’s cabinet. 

CU �鶹ӰԺ Provost Russell Moore praised Randall’s selection as dean and vice provost.

“Erika Randall combines a solution-minded approach to problem-solving with creativity and optimism in a way that I have rarely seen in an academic leader,” said Moore. “She will provide outstanding and energetic leadership in this vital post as we work to transform and improve the experience of our undergraduates.”

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The Glenn Miller Collection now has a dedicated archivist in the University Libraries whose job will be to review and catalog over 1,400 boxes of artifacts from the legendary big band era musician who once attended CU �鶹ӰԺ.

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