University of Colorado Boulder’s new chancellor, Justin Schwartz, PhD, makes DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) a top priority as he begins his tenure, despite current political challenges. He has expressed a commitment to ensuring that the university’s student body better reflects the state’s demographic diversity.
Schwartz, a nuclear engineer with 30 years of experience in higher education, including roles at Penn State and Florida A&M University, emphasized the importance of belonging in creating a successful academic environment. “If you have cultural success and academic success, whether it’s student, faculty, or research success, you have to begin with belonging,” he said in a recent interview with Chalkbeat Colorado, stressing that cultural and academic success begins with ensuring students feel comfortable on campus.
The university’s current demographics show pronounced gaps among Latino and Black students, who make up 13% and 2.8% of the student body, respectively, compared to 22.5% and 4% of Colorado’s population.
Schwartz’s dedication to diversity is informed by his upbringing in Evanston, Illinois.
“The diversity of experiences I had, the diversity of relationships I had, I certainly believe contributed strongly to my success,” he said in the interview. “There is no shortage of social science that shows that diverse groups are more successful, right?”
His range of experiences have shaped his belief in the success of inclusive groups, a conviction he is determined to bring to CU Boulder, even as DEI programs face increasing scrutiny and opposition nationwide. Schwartz acknowledges that his commitment to DEI comes with challenges in today’s political climate, but he remains steadfast in pursuing these initiatives within the bounds of the law.
