Announcing Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, 12-15-2025

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Borgelt, PharmD, MBA, as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the University of Colorado Anschutz, effective January 1, 2026. 

In this pivotal role, Dr. Borgelt will lead our academic mission at CU Anschutz, overseeing all aspects of the faculty and student experience. She will work closely with the deans of our schools and college to shape academic strategy, foster innovation in teaching and research, and champion student success. Dr. Borgelt will report to me and serve on the Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet ‒ serving as a key voice in guiding our campus into its next chapter.

Dr. Borgelt’s appointment reflects her extraordinary record of leadership and service to CU Anschutz over more than 25 years. Known for her collaborative spirit, visionary approach and tremendous commitment to our mission, Dr. Borgelt is a valued colleague who has made an outsized impact on our campus. Her deep institutional knowledge and strong relationships, combined with her expertise and experience, uniquely position her to elevate our academic enterprise to new heights.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Borgelt has held numerous high-impact roles. Most recently, she served as chief operating officer for the Gates Institute, advancing strategy and partnerships to boost our leadership in cell and gene therapies. Previously, as associate vice chancellor of strategic initiatives, she played a central role in developing and launching the 2021-2026 initiatives guiding CU Anschutz into the future and establishing our Office of Digital Learning. 

A Doctor of Pharmacy by training, Dr. Borgelt has long been a dedicated educator and mentor as a professor in the CU Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ‒ a position she will retain. Her prior leadership within CU Anschutz Pharmacy included serving as associate dean of administration and operations and as a clinical pharmacy specialist. 

Dr. Borgelt has helped transform CU Anschutz through her leadership and commitment, and she will no doubt continue to lead with vision and passion. We are deeply grateful to Executive Vice Chancellor Rod Nairn, who will remain with us in a part-time capacity through June 2026 to ensure a seamless transition as he moves toward his well-deserved retirement.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Borgelt on her appointment to this vital role. We look forward to continuing our work to make CU Anschutz a place where exceptional people teach, learn and serve together. 

 

Sincerely,

Don Elliman
Chancellor