Provost Mary Clark to Transition to New Role

Dear DU Community, 

I am writing today to share that Mary Clark, DU’s widely respected Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, has chosen not to pursue a second five-year term and will step down from her position sometime this summer when her successor can begin. Following her five years of leadership as Provost at DU, Mary will take a sabbatical leave and return to the faculty in Fall 2026, teaching both law students and undergraduates. Mary has enjoyed teaching at the undergraduate level while Provost at DU and we are extraordinarily fortunate to have her continued presence within the DU community. 

In addition, reflecting her strong character and deep commitment to the current and future success of DU and its community, Mary has agreed to work part time in a Special Advisor to the Chancellor role during her sabbatical. In this position, she will serve as a senior advisor to me and the senior leadership team in addressing the challenges facing our University, implementing a strategic framework for our future success, and helping ensure a smooth transition as we onboard our next provost.  

As a personal reflection, Mary has been, and remains, a tremendous colleague, friend, and partner in leading this amazing university. I have always enjoyed and benefited from her counsel and, while I will miss working with her daily, I’m appreciative that she will continue to serve as an advisor to me. 

“DU’s commitment to the public good is what drew me to the University, and I have been extraordinarily proud to support the work of my colleagues, faculty, staff, and students in furtherance of the public good,” Clark reflected. “While on sabbatical, I look forward to promoting girls’ and women’s empowerment, especially as it relates to access to educational opportunity.”   

Mary is an outstanding leader, mentor and champion of academic excellence and student success. Since joining DU in 2020, she has led efforts to improve retention and graduation rates to record levels. She supported the growth of the University’s research portfolio, while maintaining the University’s deep commitment to the teacher-scholar model, which supported the transformational achievement of the University earning recognition as a Doctoral/Very High Research university (or “R1”) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. In addition, she oversaw the management of academic affairs during COVID throughout the better part of two years in close consultation with academic leadership and the Faculty Senate. This resulted in the awarding of the Faculty Senate’s first-ever “Shared Governance” award, presented to Mary Clark and then-Faculty Senate President, Sarah Pessin. 

Under Mary’s leadership we have seen significant growth in diversity in both the faculty and student bodies. And of course, Mary has demonstrated unwavering leadership of and support for free speech, open inquiry and pluralism as essential values to an institution of higher education, demonstrated in part by the fact that she has continued to teach undergraduate courses on the history of free speech and serves on the University’s Freedom of Expression Committee. 

These are just a few of many examples of the impact of Mary’s leadership, dedication and commitment. Early in 2025, we will finalize a search committee and launch a national search for our University’s next Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. 

Over the next few months, we will have more time to celebrate Provost Clark and all she has done to advance our University community. In the meantime, please join me in thanking Mary for the imprint she has left on each of us. 

Once again, please join me in thanking Provost Mary Clark for her extraordinary contributions to our DU community. 

Sincerely, 

Jeremy Haefner

Chancellor