Update, April 19:

Justin Schwartz was officially named the University of Colorado Boulder’s incoming chancellor Friday. Schwartz will assume the role on July 1.

“Justin is a leader with whom CU Boulder’s power and promise resonates,” CU Boulder President Todd Saliman said in a release Friday. “He has a proven commitment to supporting a community that embodies different cultures and perspectives, and he will take our campus to new heights. He blends a strong appreciation for the liberal arts with a deep commitment to our research enterprise. He is committed to building a CU community that reflects the diversity of our great state. And Justin understands and embraces our imperative to meet our mission to serve our students, our state and our society.”

Following Schwartz being named the sole candidate in early April, former Dean of the Eberly College of Science Tracy Langkilde was appointed as Penn State’s interim executive vice president and provost. She entered the role on April 15.

Original Story:

Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz will likely depart his role at Penn State to become the University of Colorado Boulder’s incoming chancellor. CU Boulder announced Schwartz as the sole finalist for the chancellor role Tuesday. Spotlight PA’s Wyatt Massey first reported the move.

Schwartz entered the position with Penn State in a full-time role in April 2023 after serving in an interim capacity since August 2022. Schwartz previously served as Penn State’s Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of the College of Engineering.

“I believe Dr. Schwartz is the right person to build on the strong foundation already in place and to elevate CU Boulder to even greater heights,” CU Boulder President Todd Saliman said in a release Tuesday. “He has the skills, experience and spirit to help us continue to serve our students and state as Colorado’s flagship university. He is a leader who deeply understands the power and promise of the education, research and service that are at the heart of CU Boulder. He has a proven commitment to diversity and to supporting a community that embodies different cultures and perspectives.”

CU Boulder released Schwartz’s candidacy Tuesday in accordance with Colorado law which states a finalist for university administration must be shared publicly 14 days prior to formal appointment, according to a message from Schwartz to Penn State colleagues obtained by Massey.

“Working alongside the faculty, researchers, and staff at Penn State, as well as some of the most impressive students in the world, has been a highlight of my career, and I will cherish the memories and relationships I have been lucky enough to forge across Penn State,” Schwartz’s message read. “I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunities I have had as dean of the College of Engineering, and most recently as executive vice president and provost.”

Schwartz said he will visit CU Boulder this week in his message to colleagues.

Following Schwartz’s probable departure, the incoming provost will be the university’s third in four years. Nick Jones stepped down from the position in August 2022 to serve as a special assistant to President Neeli Bendapudi and return to teaching in the College of Engineering.

Neither Penn State nor CU Boulder have formally announced Schwartz’s respective departure or arrival.