SAIE Leadership Change and Plans for Transition

Dear DU community members,  

I write to announce that the University of Denver’s vice chancellor of student affairs, Todd Adams, will soon step down from his position to pursue the next exciting phase in his career as the vice president for student development at the University of Richmond. His last day at DU will be August 16. In the coming weeks, we will announce details about an interim vice chancellor for this vital role.

Vice Chancellor Adams has been with the University for four years, during which DU—and all higher education—has faced both significant challenges and incredible opportunities. And while it is always bittersweet to say goodbye to a DU community member, there is much to be thankful for during Todd’s tenure as leader of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence (SAIE). Under his leadership, DU has grown our holistic approach to education, the 4D Experience. The 4D Team, assembled and led by Todd alongside Provost Mary Clark, continues to have incredible influence on the lives and learning of our students in collaboration with professors and staff across campus.

Todd also stabilized SAIE during the height of the pandemic—no small feat, and one for which we will always be grateful. While at DU, he built a formal student affairs structure, which prioritizes undergraduate, graduate andprofessional students’ needs and opened new avenues for support, such as the creation of the role of dean of students. He helped expand DU’s nationally recognized health and wellness services, shepherded the opening of the Dimond Family Residential Village and the Community Commons, and helped secure funding for the launch of FIRST@DU, our program dedicated to the success of first-generation, minoritized and underrepresented students. Of course, all of this was accomplished with the help of Todd’s incredible team, forwhom he has always been a fierce and loyal champion.  

We could not have asked for a better leader supporting student life over the past four years than Todd Adams, and it is with immense gratitude that we see him take on his exciting new role.  

Please join me in sharing our appreciation and congratulations with Todd andlook for more information regarding transition details soon.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Haefner

Chancellor