President Saliman Names Kenneth Christensen CU Denver Chancellor

Dear Members of the CU Denver Community,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ken Christensen as the next chancellor of CU Denver. Dr. Christensen’s deep commitment to student success, breadth of experience, vision, and excellent understanding of CU Denver’s strengths and opportunities have convinced me that he is the right choice to lead the institution forward.

Following Dr. Christensen’s campus visit and open forums, I was impressed by the strong support he received from the CU Denver faculty, staff, students, and community members. Ken brings a forward-thinking vision for higher education, advocating for its role as an inclusive engine of knowledge and innovation that positively transforms lives and society. He is deeply committed to connecting education with career opportunities through experiential learning and alignment with workforce needs. And most importantly, he puts students first and is deeply committed to the faculty and staff who are the lifeblood of our work and mission.

I am grateful to all who participated in the forums, engaged in the search process, and offered their feedback. Thank you to Judi Diaz Bonacquisti, chair of the search, AGB Search and the CU Denver Chancellor Search Committee, whose diligent efforts and collaboration produced a diverse pool of impressive candidates. I am also grateful to Interim Chancellor Ann Schmiesing, who provided outstanding leadership during this time of transition. Ann often says that she quickly fell in love with CU Denver and the wonderful people who make up our community. Thank you to all on the campus for welcoming her.

Finally, I want to thank Dr. David Jackson, who was an excellent finalist and is an outstanding educator and leader. I wish him the best in his future endeavors. 

Dr. Christensen will officially arrive at CU Denver on February 1, 2025. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to him from our CU community.

Todd Saliman
President