Do you know a University of Colorado leader who has participated in the Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP)? Consider recognizing the leadership and contributions of an ELP alumnus by submitting a nomination for the Excellence in Leadership Award.

All ELP alumni currently working at the University of Colorado are eligible to be nominated through Nov. 22. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

About the award

This year, Excellence in Leadership Award nominee qualifications have been clarified as follows.

Nominees should display excellence in the following areas:

• Exceptional Leadership: Demonstrates exceptional leadership by thoughtfully strategizing, motivating teams and achieving measurable results while consistently aligning actions with the University of Colorado system’s mission, vision and values. Effectively manages resources and stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency and advance strategic goals. Additionally, their leadership makes diversity, equity and inclusion a priority.
• Impactful Contributions: Leads projects, programs or research endeavors that have significant and measurable impacts on the University of Colorado system and/or respective campus community, evidenced by quantifiable metrics and recognition.
• Community Engagement: Actively participates in initiatives, activities or partnerships that contribute to positive community outcomes and the overall mission of the University of Colorado system and/or respective campus.

Past winners

ELP is a university-wide program for faculty and staff designed to provide university leaders with an immersive understanding of CU at the system and campus levels. ELP facilitates connections with colleagues, peers and senior leadership across the university system, fostering a broad network. Participants gain a better understanding of the university context, thereby boosting leadership capabilities within roles and driving success within CU.

The Excellence in Leadership Award has honored exceptional leaders in the CU community since 2009. Most recently, the award was given to Distinguished Professor Ruth Ellen Kocher from CU Boulder, then-Dean of Leeds Business School Sharon Matusik and two honorees in 2019 — CU Denver’s Regina Kilkenny and CU Boulder’s Kelly Fox.

See a complete list of winners on the Excellence in Leadership Luncheon webpage.

The award recipient will be recognized at the Excellence in Leadership Luncheon and Lecture on April 4, 2025.

Nominate a leader today

• Visit the ELP nomination page to access the nomination form, instructions, criteria and a list of eligible alumni.
• Nominations will be accepted from any University of Colorado employee who has worked or is working with the nominee. The supervisor of the nominee should support the nomination and be included in the submission process.
• The deadline to submit a nomination is 5 p.m. (MT) Friday, Nov. 22.

If you have questions, please contact elp@cu.edu.