Phil DiStefano, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Colorado at Boulder, was appointed to the permanent post on June 25 by the CU Board of Regents.
DiStefano聮s appointment was recommended to the board by Chancellor Richard L. Byyny, following a national search. DiStefano has served in the interim position since October 1997.
"I聮m delighted that Phil DiStefano will be joining CU-Boulder聮s administrative team on a permanent basis," Byyny said. "The search process yielded a number of highly qualified individuals, but Phil聮s record of academic leadership and his understanding of the character and potential of the Boulder campus stood out above the rest.
"To this position, he brings an important combination of experience, initiative and continuity. I look forward to working closely with him as we help the campus move toward the next level of excellence."
DiStefano said he intends to place a "high priority on enhancing undergraduate education within CU-Boulder聮s unique role as a major research university. I will be working with faculty and deans to broaden and enhance the ways we integrate research with the undergraduate experience."
Another priority for DiStefano will be the growth of interdisciplinary programs that cut across departmental boundaries, he said. "At the graduate education level, I plan to work closely with Dean Carol Lynch, the faculty and institute directors to build upon cutting-edge multidisciplinary programs between schools and colleges."
In addition, DiStefano plans to emphasize developing more campus partnerships with business, industry and other organizations.
"As a major research university, we have a golden opportunity to help improve the quality of life for the citizens of Colorado and create new knowledge that will benefit the state. But we聮ll be most successful if we work in partnership with other agencies and organizations."
The vice chancellor for academic affairs is responsible for all academic and research programs, including research institutes and centers on the Boulder campus. The deans report to the vice chancellor for academic affairs.
About 25,000 students, including 4,500 graduate students, are enrolled in the campus聮 10 schools and colleges. The Division of Academic Affairs includes 1,217 full-time instructional faculty and has an annual budget of about $310 million.
Annual salary for the vice chancellor聮s position will be $157,500.
Prior to his appointment to the interim position, DiStefano had served in the associate vice chancellor position since September 1996. He served as dean of the School of Education from 1986-96, a period of significant growth in the quality of the school聮s faculty and research accomplishments. During his tenure as dean, the school was consistently ranked as one of the top education schools in the country.
DiStefano was director of graduate studies, associate dean of education and a professor in the School of Education from 1974-86. Prior to his career in higher education he taught high school English.
DiStefano earned his doctorate in education from Ohio State University, his master's from West Virginia University and his bachelor's degree from Ohio State.