On the Move

Vice Chancellor Jon Leslie announces transition from leadership role

Elizabeth Lock — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:56:11 +0000

Vice Chancellor Jon Leslie announces transition from leadership role Elizabeth Lock Mon, 02/16/2026 - 20:56

Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications Jon Leslie today announced his decision to transition from leading CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC) team.

Jon Leslie

The Office of the Chancellor will be launching a national search for his successor in the coming days, with Senior Vice Chancellor Janel Forde and Dean Lori Bergen co-chairing a committee seeking a vice chancellor for communications, marketing and social media to lead the next phase of bringing CU �鶹ӰԺ’s story to life.

“CU �鶹ӰԺ has changed my life. It has been the privilege of my lifetime to serve this institution, and I am thankful to my SRC and campuswide colleagues for all we have accomplished together,” Leslie said. “I am truly grateful to Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Ann Schmiesing, Phil DiStefano, Patrick O’Rourke, Russ Moore, Sonia DeLuca Fernández and everyone at this university who has helped shape my development. In my heart, I will always be a Buff.”

Schwartz also expressed gratitude, reflecting on Leslie’s lengthy and impactful tenure.

“I am deeply grateful for Jon’s contributions to our university during his many years of service, and I’m particularly grateful for his leadership during my first 18 months as chancellor,” said Schwartz. “I’m pleased to report that Jon will continue to lead the SRC team during the transition and will also play a highly visible role in our 150th anniversary celebration this year, supporting and transitioning a number of high-impact strategic projects in the months ahead.”

During his time on campus, Leslie has generated a long list of accomplishments. Since joining CU �鶹ӰԺ in the early 2000s, he has played a central role in shaping the university’s brand and digital communications ecosystem.

He was instrumental in the launch and rollout of the University of Colorado visual identity, the “I am a ______ Buff.” campaign, the CU �鶹ӰԺ Web Express content management system and the campus’s signature “Be �鶹ӰԺ” platform—one of the most durable university brand campaigns of the past 15 years.

Leslie’s leadership has also driven significant advancements in digital engagement and strategic storytelling, transforming how CU �鶹ӰԺ connects with a broad range of local, state, national and global constituencies.

An avid Buff with a deep belief in public higher education, Leslie has contributed to several major campus and systemwide initiatives over the years, supporting strategic planning, accreditation, student success, inclusion, innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainability, brand governance and the modernization of digital infrastructure across the university.

On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leslie and his team led CU �鶹ӰԺ’s role as co-host of the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, a pivotal point in CU �鶹ӰԺ’s commitment to global sustainability leadership.

He and his team have also played a central role in the reinvigoration of the Conference on World Affairs, one of CU �鶹ӰԺ’s longest and most recognized public engagement traditions. Their work has included high‑profile programs with Deion Sanders (2024), Cynthia Erivo (2025) and Malala Yousafzai (2026), drawing increased student engagement in the conference and casting a positive spotlight on CU �鶹ӰԺ.

Before joining the university, Leslie built a strong foundation in communications, branding and marketing through a decade of private‑sector experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English (Writing) from Towson University and pursued graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Colorado Denver. He is also a University of Colorado Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP) Fellow.

After supporting the transition to a new vice chancellor, Leslie will serve as senior director of special projects and vice chancellor emeritus on Senior Vice Chancellor Ann Schmiesing’s team, continuing to play lead roles in the university’s 150th anniversary celebration, the Conference on World Affairs, campus shared values development, the learner lifecycle constituent relationship management (CRM) implementation, campus leadership objectives and key results (OKR) development and other strategic projects.

After the culmination of CU �鶹ӰԺ’s 150th anniversary celebration, Leslie will retire from the university in February 2027.

Jon Leslie, vice chancellor for strategic communications, will assist with onboarding a successor, supporting CU �鶹ӰԺ’s yearlong 150th anniversary celebration and strategic projects during 2026.

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Detric Robinson joins CU �鶹ӰԺ Ombuds Office

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:54:12 +0000

Detric Robinson joins CU �鶹ӰԺ Ombuds Office Megan M Rogers Tue, 02/03/2026 - 08:54

As the second new associate ombuds, Detric Robinson will be undergraduate student-facing and is particularly passionate about helping individuals navigate difficult conversations, explore options and gain clarity during moments of uncertainty or conflict.

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American Indian Law Program welcomes Heidi Todacheene as visiting practitioner

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:21:34 +0000

American Indian Law Program welcomes Heidi Todacheene as visiting practitioner Megan M Rogers Thu, 12/04/2025 - 06:21

AILP at the University of Colorado Law School welcomes Heidi Todacheene as visiting practitioner in residence. Todacheene (Navajo) will spend six months mentoring students in professional development, while working with faculty on Indigenous Peoples' issues, as they arise in tribal, state, federal and international contexts.

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Matt Schmit joins Silicon Flatirons as executive director

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:03:21 +0000

Matt Schmit joins Silicon Flatirons as executive director Megan M Rogers Mon, 11/17/2025 - 07:03

The University of Colorado Law School and the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship are pleased to announce Matt Schmit has been named the new executive director of Silicon Flatirons.

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CIRES' Twila Moon establishes new role in climate communications

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:00:27 +0000

CIRES' Twila Moon establishes new role in climate communications Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/21/2025 - 11:00

CIRES

Last spring, NSIDC Deputy Lead Scientist Twila Moon expanded her role at CIRES as the institute's first-ever climate communications engagement lead. Her new position combines her scientific expertise with her communications skills to create a new program: Engage Climate Science.

The program, still in development, sits within CIRES’ Center for Education, Engagement, and Evaluation (CEEE). Moon’s role with the program will develop and run seminars and workshops around the U.S. to teach the foundations of climate science along with a broad scope of climate solutions to private-sector professionals in decision-making spaces. The program will focus on leaders in positions that have the ability to create change and who rely on knowledge about current and future climate to make successful decisions in their work.

“With climate impacts already influencing everything from working conditions to supply chains to roads and buildings, the need for fundamental climate understanding has never been greater,” Moon said. “We are in a critical time for planning and action, and this program will address that need.”

Moon has spent years building her portfolio in climate communications and was recently awarded the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Pavel S. Molchanov Climate Communication Prize. One example of her communications work is with the European organization Active Philanthropy, where she leads workshops in Greenland. She leads participants on four- and five-day immersive expeditions to Greenland to teach the foundations of climate science, solutions and strategies for change. The expeditions connect participants firsthand with the island's unique ecosystem—80% of which is covered in ice that is melting quicker than ever. Moon said this work solidified the need for expert-led climate science education.

“I found that there was a huge appetite for this, and I got requests over and over again to do more and expand this kind of engagement,” Moon said.

By teaching foundational climate science, participants learn to ask the right questions and understand system connections relating to how the climate is changing. Moon uses several tools to help explore the myriad of solutions and how they complement each other, like the En-ROADS Climate Action Simulator and other resources like the Project Drawdown Explorer, which evaluates the effectiveness of various solutions. Moon says there is no one solution for climate change but believes the best solutions address emissions reductions and preparedness and resilience together.

During her first few months building the new program, Moon has worked with CEEE researchers to flesh out an evaluation strategy, held eight events in Texas, and worked toward completing initial program offers and resources. Moon notes that it can be difficult to measure the outcomes and successes of different engagements, so she is excited that CEEE’s team will support the evaluation of the seminars and workshops, helping her track progress, collect and organize feedback, and make improvements to her approach as needed.

“Engage Climate Science is a powerful opportunity to expand CEEE’s vision of connecting environmental science and people to inspire curiosity, community and action, now reaching the private sector,” Gold said. “Twila’s exceptional ability to communicate and share her deep climate science expertise will equip decision-makers and business leaders with the knowledge they need to drive meaningful, science-based impact.”

Moon has worked with CIRES for nearly a decade, first as a visiting fellow then as a research scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). She sits on the National Academies’ U.S. Polar Research Board, is a principal investigator for the QGreenland data project, and an editor of NOAA’s Arctic Report Card. Moon will continue to pursue research at NSIDC, as she believes it’s integral to remaining a trusted source in the scientific community in her new role.

“Communicating climate knowledge as an active scientist allows me to draw from an especially rich well of information,” Moon said. “Folks I’m engaging with can have high confidence in the information quality and know that it will include the latest research results.”

Moon hopes other organizations and institutions realize the critical need for this type of climate communication at this pivotal moment. Engage Climate Science is made possible through generous support from a private donor and the Daughters for Earth Female Climate Scientists Fund. Donations are welcome to support the program now and in the future through CU �鶹ӰԺ. She looks forward to announcing the formal launch of the program in the near future.

CIRES researcher Twila Moon will train mid-career professionals in climate education workshops across the United States.

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Hope Saska named director of CU Art Museum

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:03:53 +0000

Hope Saska named director of CU Art Museum Megan M Rogers Mon, 09/29/2025 - 14:03

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

In addition to serving as the interim director, Hope Saska has served as the CU Art Museum's chief curator and director of academic engagement. She has now been named the director.

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Faculty Affairs welcomes Warren Sconiers

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:00:24 +0000

Faculty Affairs welcomes Warren Sconiers Megan M Rogers Wed, 09/24/2025 - 09:00

The Office of Faculty Affairs is delighted to announce that Warren Sconiers, associate teaching professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, has been appointed as faculty fellow for teaching and clinical faculty development.

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Benjamin Teitelbaum is new faculty director for strategic events and public discourse

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:19:00 +0000

Benjamin Teitelbaum is new faculty director for strategic events and public discourse Megan M Rogers Fri, 09/19/2025 - 11:19

With a primary focus on planning the Conference on World Affairs, Benjamin Teitelbaum encourages faculty members to submit recommendations for guest speakers.

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LASP welcomes Director Bethany Ehlmann

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:04:54 +0000

LASP welcomes Director Bethany Ehlmann Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/16/2025 - 14:04

This month, Bethany Ehlmann began her tenure as director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, ushering in a new era for the lab.

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Esther Henry tapped as managing associate university counsel for CU �鶹ӰԺ

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 19:59:42 +0000

Esther Henry tapped as managing associate university counsel for CU �鶹ӰԺ Megan M Rogers Wed, 08/20/2025 - 13:59

Following a national search, CU �鶹ӰԺ has appointed Esther Henry managing associate university counsel, effective Sept. 9.

Henry brings more than two decades of legal experience in higher education, including leadership roles at the University of Tennessee system, Oregon State University, Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Her expertise spans student and faculty affairs, employment law, Title IX compliance, public safety and emergency response, and institutional governance.

“I am thrilled to welcome Esther Henry to CU �鶹ӰԺ, where her deep experience in higher education law and her collaborative approach will be invaluable to our campus.” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Michelle Krech for her service in the interim role and for her continued dedication to the university.”

Henry began her legal career in Colorado and previously served as associate counsel at the Colorado School of Mines and as HIPAA project manager and privacy officer at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She holds a J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and dual bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and management from Purdue University.

“I’m honored to join CU �鶹ӰԺ and return to the state where I began my career in higher education law,” said Henry. “I’m excited to contribute to the university’s mission and support its vibrant academic community.”

Henry will lead the Office of University Counsel for CU �鶹ӰԺ, and will be responsible for advising on a range of campus matters and serving as a key partner to university leadership in advancing CU �鶹ӰԺ’s strategic priorities.

Henry brings more than two decades of experience in higher education law from institutions across the country, including the University of Tennessee and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

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