Klebe named interim provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs

Kelli Klebe, dean of the Graduate School, will serve as interim provost of UCCS.

Beginning July 1, Kelli Klebe, dean of the Graduate School, will serve as UCCS’ interim provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“Dean Klebe has been part of the UCCS family for more than 30 years, having served as a professor of psychology beginning in August 1990,” wrote Chancellor Venkat Reddy in a May 18 memo announcing the news.

“She was appointed Dean of the Graduate School in 2012 and has demonstrated a strong commitment to student, faculty and research success during her tenure at UCCS. With both faculty and administrative experience, I am confident that she will serve the university well in this interim role.”

Klebe is the longest-serving Graduate School dean in UCCS history and has held a number of leadership roles during her tenure at the university, including associate vice chancellor for research and faculty development, interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, president of the Faculty Assembly and chair of the psychology department. She will assume the role of interim provost following a two-week transition period with Provost Tom Christensen.

“After working in various roles on the UCCS campus over 30 years, I have developed a unique perspective of our campus. I care a lot about UCCS, and in this important year which will focus on a new budget model, recovering from a pandemic and furthering the 2030 Strategic Plan, I want to ensure the office of the Provost continues its progress,” Klebe said. “Provost Tom Christensen has been invaluable in his time as provost, as he helped move forward the strategic plan, provided stability, and more. I hope I can honor his service.”

Klebe earned a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and Ph.D from the University of Minnesota. She received the Faculty Assembly Service Award in 2006 and the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Teaching Award in 2003, and has earned $4.6 million in sponsored research funding over the course of her tenure at UCCS.

In June 2020, Christensen, current provost, announced a return to the classroom following four years in the office. Christensen is the former dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and a longtime UCCS professor of physics. He will step down from his position as provost on June 30, 2021.

UCCS will reconvene a national search for the next provost of UCCS in the fall, with a goal of naming the university’s next chief academic officer by Jan. 1, 2022. An additional search will identify an interim dean of the Graduate School during Klebe’s tenure as interim provost.