AGB Search Seeking Chancellor for the University of Colorado Denver
October 24, 2024 – Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, was recently retained by the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) to lead in its search for a new chancellor. Roderick McDavis, Monica Burton, Kimberly Templeton, and Carlos Hernandez are leading the assignment. The chancellor is the campus’s chief executive officer, reports to the CU president, collaborates across the University of Colorado System, and partners with the chancellors of CU’s three other campuses, Boulder, Anschutz Medical Campus, and Colorado Springs.
The chancellor is the chief academic fiscal, and administrative officer responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the campus in accordance with the policies of the board of regents.
The chancellor will be a strong, dynamic leader who is vibrant and energetic with a thoughtful human touch, according to the job specification. Experienced, resilient, decisive, and possessing political acumen, they will have successfully led large, complex organizations and constituencies, and will have experience serving diverse communities. They will assess and ensure a high-performing executive team with the right leaders in the right roles doing important work.
CU Denver leadership opportunities include: advancing CU Denver’s purpose; further creating the distinctive CU Denver brand; shaping and increasing enrollment and completion; enhancing CU Denver’s financial position; embracing a culture of shared governance; strategic planning; investing in academic programs; leveraging alternative modalities and credentialing; connecting the campus to the Denver community; growing advancement; reflecting the diversity of Denver and Colorado; and honoring displaced Aurarians.
While candidates may come from diverse backgrounds, they will possess a demonstrated record of successful outcomes with a diverse population, showcasing a combination of talents and experiences demonstrating effective leadership at an urban oriented institution and creating a cohesive, collaborative, and inclusive culture, according to AGB Search. An earned doctorate, equivalent terminal degree, or relevant combination of education and experience is required.
As part of the state’s largest public university system, University of Colorado, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 1,900 employees, an annual budget of $394 million, and annual economic impact exceeding $684 million. CU Denver educates nearly 10,000 undergraduate and 4,000 graduate students.
Finding Talent for Colleges and Universities
AGB Search conducts searches for college and university presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, university system heads, and CEOs of coordinating boards and related foundations. The firm was founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010.
Dr. McDavis became the managing principal of AGB Search in 2017, after serving as president of Ohio University for 13 years. He is responsible for leading and managing all components of AGB Search including executive search, interim search, executive coaching, and ExecComp, the firm’s compensation evaluation service.
His representative executive searches include:
- University of Colorado Boulder – chancellor.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln – chancellor.
- California State University, Sacramento – president.
- Central State University – president.
- Polk State College – provost, academic affairs & workforce education.
- University of Pittsburgh – vice chancellor & secretary to the board of trustees.
A career executive search professional and leadership coach, Ms. Burton has spent more than 20 years placing and advising leaders in executive roles. She has worked across industry sectors from investment banking to non-profit. In addition to leading president/CEO searches, Ms. Burton has placed HR, finance, and IT leaders in a myriad of industries. Since 2011, she has dedicated her practice to serving higher education. Her experience in higher education search spans presidential, academic, and business officer leadership roles.
Related: Savannah State University Taps AGB Search to Find New President
Her representative executive searches include:
- Carnegie Mellon University – chief information officer.
- Colorado State University – vice president for the division of university operations and CFO.
- Cornell University and Cornell Tech – multiple searches.
- Emmanuel College – president.
- George Washington University – chief information officer.
- Mount Mercy University – president.
- Spring Hill College – president.
- University of Alaska – multiple searches.
- University of California – multiple searches.
- University of Colorado – multiple searches
- Washington University in St. Louis – executive director of compliance & audit.
- Yale – Executive Director, internal audit and quality assurance.
Ms. Templeton, principal, has more than has 25 years of experience as an search professional in the higher education, non-profit, and legal sectors; senior advancement leader; and corporate attorney. She partners with public research universities, regional comprehensive universities, private universities, liberal arts colleges, and academic medical centers to identify institutional and senior leaders, including presidents/chancellors, general counsels, VPs for research, VPs for advancement and presidents of institutionally related foundations, VPs for health affairs, VPs for business and finance, and school and center directors, among others.
Ms. Templeton’s representative searches include:
- President, University of Nebraska.
- President, Ramapo College.
- Executive vice president, Knowledge Enterprise, Arizona State University.
- Targeted research center leadership recruitments, Arizona State University.
- Vice president for research and economic development, Boise State University.
- Senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, University of Nebraska at Kearney.
- Vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, University of Iowa.
- Vice president and general counsel, University of Central Florida.
- General counsel, Maricopa County Community College District.
- Vice chancellor for business, finance and business development, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- Vice president for health affairs and dean, school of medicine, University of South Dakota.
Mr. Hernández joined AGB Search in 2013. He has conducted many searches for senior leadership positions at private and state universities, and community colleges. Dr. Hernández previously served as president of New Jersey City University for 19 years and in 2012 was named president emeritus of the university.
His representative executive searches include:
- New York University – director, athletics intramurals and recreation.
- Marshall University – dean college of arts & media; director school of journalism & mass communications.
- Maricopa County Community College District – general counsel.
- Miami Dade College – president.
- Minnesota State Colleges and University – vice chancellor for equity and inclusion.
- Nevada State University – president.
- Ramapo College of New Jersey – president.
- Prince George’s Community College – president.
- Albizu University (PR/FL) – president; chancellor/provost.
- Northwestern University (IL) – associate vice president title ix and equity.
Related: AGB Search Assists Ohio University in Finding New President
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media