Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs

Executive Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and globally experienced leader to serve as its inaugural Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs (VCGA). This senior executive will lead the new CU Boulder Office of Global Affairs, which will bring together international partnerships, global programs, international student and scholar services, and campus-wide global initiatives under one umbrella. Reporting to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, the VCGA will serve as CU Boulder’s Senior International Officer, responsible for articulating and executing a cohesive global strategy that advances the university’s academic, research, and service missions; champions a pervasive global culture across campus; strengthens international enrollment and global partnerships; and supports internationally mobile students and scholars. The VCGA will help CU Boulder meet challenges and opportunities while building on the campus’s extraordinary strengths in research, teaching, innovation, and public service.

The University of Colorado was established in 1876. The flagship university within the University of Colorado system and one of only 38 public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder serves more than 38,000 undergraduate and graduate students and employs a workforce of more than 8,000 faculty and staff members.

The university offers more than 90 degree programs and 4,000 academic courses, and in fiscal year 2025 was awarded over $760 million in sponsored research funding. Our mission is to serve as the state of Colorado’s comprehensive graduate research university with selective admission standards, offering a comprehensive array of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. CU Boulder’s institutional priorities in carrying out this mission are to foster the success of all students, faculty and staff; scale research and creative work excellence; achieve global leadership in sustainability impact; and align our resources and infrastructure to our mission.

CU Boulder leads the state of Colorado in the number of international students enrolled, with 3648 new and continuing international students at the university in 2024-25, including optional training participants. According to the 2025 Open Doors Report issued by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the university also ranks fifth nationally among leading doctorate-granting institutions in the United States providing semester-long study abroad opportunities to students. In addition, CU Boulder ranks 13th in the nation for institutions awarding credit for study abroad, with 2,566 CU Boulder students receiving academic credit through study abroad programs in 2023–24.

The annual salary range is $270,000-$330,000, plus a recruitment incentive and moving allowance (if applicable).

Role of the Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs

The VCGA will lead the development of CU Boulder’s first comprehensive global strategic plan, coordinating efforts across academic and administrative units. Key responsibilities include strengthening international student enrollment, expanding global mobility and study-abroad opportunities, supporting globally engaged research, and developing strategic international partnerships. The VCGA will also serve as global risk management and emergency response liaison. The role requires working collaboratively with campus leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to ensure that global engagement aligns with the university’s mission and strategic priorities. The VCGA will represent CU Boulder in global forums and foster international visibility through marketing, advancement, and alumni engagement activities.

Units that will directly report to the VCGA under the Office of Global Affairs umbrella are:

Required Qualifications

Minimum of eight years of senior leadership experience, including significant administrative responsibility in international education or global engagement, preferably at an R1 university.

Master’s or JD degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Extensive leadership experience in one or more of the following areas, with working knowledge across international student services, study abroad programs, global mobility, partnerships, and safety/compliance.

Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex organizations, fostering authentic, trust-based collaboration across academic, administrative, student, research, and global units, as well as with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Proven experience in strategic planning, including the development and implementation of global strategies, preferably at an R1 university.

Strong understanding of global regulatory issues (e.g., export control, visa policies, travel safety) and ability to work effectively with legal and government relations professionals.

Commitment to creating a transparent, inclusive, and respectful environment that expands equitable access to global opportunities; demonstrated ability to lead systemic change through policy and practice redesign.

Demonstrated ability to integrate diverse perspectives and global viewpoints into decision-making and organizational planning.

Excellent problem-solving and solution-oriented leadership skills, with evidence of contributions to senior leadership teams and institutional decision-making.

Ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively in written, verbal and digital formats.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional experience reflecting engagement with international contexts, such as leading, studying, researching, or working on globally oriented initiatives.

Proven capacity to design and implement global strategies informed by international education frameworks and best practices.

Experience managing and administering global programs within higher education or relevant business/industry sectors.

Documented success in developing and sustaining international partnerships, including negotiating agreements and ensuring measurable outcomes.

Experience contributing to advancement efforts, such as fundraising, prospect development, or initiatives that strengthen global alumni engagement.

Proficiency in one or more languages other than English, or demonstrated ability to work effectively across linguistic and cultural contexts.

Active participation or leadership in professional associations focused on international education or global engagement.

Procedure for Candidacy

This is an extraordinary opportunity to construct a new centralized office committed to strengthening the global profile of a renowned world-class university. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a current CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

Acumen is assisting University of Colorado Boulder in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be submitted directly to executivesearch@sannams4.com
and received on or before 17:00 MT on Friday, January 16, 2026. Nominations and any inquiries are welcome.

The campus has implemented a reference check program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.