On May 26, Chancellor Rebecca Chopp sent two emails to the DU community in regards to two new staff members. The first, sent out at about 12:20 p.m., announced DU’s vice chancellor for Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence, Dr. Liliana Rodriguez. The second, sent out at about 1:30 p.m., announced the dean of the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, JB Holston.
The first email from Chopp expressed her excitement about Rodriguez, which is heightened by the fact that this position is brand new to the DU campus.
“I am delighted to share the news that Dr. Liliana Rodriguez will become the University’s first vice chancellor for Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence,” said Chopp in the email. “Lili is currently associate dean of diversity, inclusion, and community development at Swarthmore College, where she manages residential life, student activities, international education and support, religious and spiritual life, Greek life, and orientation.”
Rodriguez starts working on July 1 but will take a parental leave from August to September. According to the email, she will return to full-time work on October 1. Community members looking to meet her will have a chance on May 28.
“Our campus community will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Rodriquez this Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 in Anderson Academic Commons, Special Events Room (Room 290),” said Chopp in the email. “A brief presentation will be followed by a reception. Dr. Rodriguez will also attend the Chowing Down with Chancellor Chopp First Annual Student Lunch, which I am hosting on Driscoll Green this Thursday from 11:00-1:30 for all undergraduate and graduate students.”
According to Chopp’s email, Dr. Rodriguez’s job will be to, “lead DU’s efforts to redesign the student experience for undergraduates, graduates and professional students in light of the needs and opportunities of the 21st century. Dr. Rodriguez will lead DU’s efforts to support students as they master the navigational skills to thrive at DU and beyond. Further, she will report directly to me as chancellor, sitting on my senior staff and ensuring that the undergraduate, graduate and professional student experience inside and outside the classroom remains central to all University decision-making.”
The second email, in regard to JB Holston, was sent out by Chopp and Provost Kvistad and also expressed excitement.
“We are pleased to announce that JB Holston will join the University of Denver as dean of the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science effective July 1, bringing with him a wealth of private and public sector experience that will propel the school at an exciting chapter in its history,” said Chopp and Kvistad in the email. “JB has a global reputation with an intentional focus in Denver and Colorado. He will put DU, and through it, the entire Front Range region at the cutting edge of innovation, knowledge and teaching. His leadership, experience and connections will help to make the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science an intellectual and economic driver for our growing region.”
According to the email, Holston holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University and received the 2014 Colorado Technology Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He also has 25 years of experience as a senior executive at Fortune 500 companies and as a start up entrepreneur of six highly successful enterprises.
“Holston’s appointment is part of a major investment to expand research and innovation in engineering and technology at the University and to connect DU to the leading technology companies and cutting edge entrepreneurs,” said Chopp and Kvistad in the email.
More information about Rodriguez can be found on the Center for Multicultural Excellence’s website and information about Holston can be found on the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science website.
