University of Colorado President Todd Saliman has named Jennifer Sobanet interim chancellor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) campus. Sobanet will assume the leadership post effective July 1. Current Chancellor Dr. Venkat Reddy will be stepping down July 1 as well.

Sobanet’s rich experience includes several degrees and positions in higher education, state government and the private sector. She most recently served as executive vice chancellor of administration and strategy at the University of Colorado Denver, joining the institution’s leadership team in 2016. During her time at CU Denver, she earned a doctorate in educational equity from the School of Education & Human Development.

“Jennifer’s breadth of experience along with her thoughtful approach to leadership, make her an excellent fit as interim chancellor at UCCS,” said Saliman. “In my recent visits with campus groups, there were consistent themes pointing to Jennifer’s skillset. She is an accomplished strategic thinker with a keen understanding of budgetary priorities and a strong commitment to shared governance. She understands the special relationship between UCCS and the Colorado Springs area and is eager to roll up her sleeves and get to work to advance the campus and community. I couldn’t be more pleased to name Jennifer to this position.”

“UCCS is a wonderful institution with truly dedicated faculty, staff and students,” said Sobanet. “I am honored to be selected to lead during this transitional period. I come to this post in service to the UCCS community. Whether a former or current member of the military, a member of an underrepresented group, a first-generation student, a researcher with aspirations to solve critical societal problems or a staff member who works day in and day out to meet the needs of our students, all are vital to this campus community. I believe in the power of higher education to transform lives through social and economic mobility, and UCCS is a pillar for this positive change. I can’t wait to get started.”

At CU Denver, Sobanet oversaw the campus' administrative and financial strategy and directed work to incubate, resource and operationalize its strategic initiatives. Her work developing new corporate, community and public/non-profit partnerships elevated CU Denver’s research and creative works, teaching and learning, student experiences and success, and community impact. Much of her campus success can be attributed to the partnerships and steadfast engagement she sought with the various shared governance groups.

Before joining CU Denver, Sobanet spent nearly a decade in management consulting and corporate finance after serving as an economist and budget analyst in former Colorado Governor Roy Romer’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting. She went on to serve as the chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration at Front Range Community College, and the acting executive director and chief operating officer of the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Along with a Doctor of Education degree from CU Denver, Sobanet earned a master’s degree in international studies, with concentrations in Latin America and Spanish, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, and holds an MBA in international financial management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Sobanet and her husband, Henry, enjoy the Colorado outdoors, spending as much time in the mountains as possible. She is an avid runner and dabbles in the game of golf, which is a love for her husband.

Guided by regent policy, Saliman is preparing for a national search for a permanent chancellor.