The national search for the leader of Colorado’s flagship university is over with only one finalist.

The University of Colorado Boulder introduced Justin Schwarz, formerly of Penn State University, as its sole finalist for the open Chancellor position to replace Phil DiStefano, who announced his impending retirement last September.

Schwartz visited CU Boulder this week to meet in open forums with constituent groups. Three of those meetings were broadcast on livestream Thursday.

In an email to the community Tuesday, University of Colorado President Todd Saliman wrote that he had hoped to forward more than one finalist but after talking with candidates, “it became clear a multi-candidate pool was not an option.” 

Schwartz was chosen after a national search, according to the CU website.

A nuclear engineer, Schwartz also spent time at North Carolina State University as head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and was noted for his attention to diversity in 2011 after he doubled NC State’s female faculty of the department twofold and hired its first minority professors.

Schwartz appeared open to any question during Thursday’s forums. When asked how he intends to deal with budget shortfalls, he said that he thinks like a system engineer in that he solves problems by utilizing efficiency.

He said that he’ll be creating a structure for investment in money, people and ideas.

“Part of the answer is to look at other places that do not have financial challenges,” said Schwartz and added that he won’t “take lightly how we need to expand that donor base where we need help.”

Schwartz comes to CU after serving as Penn State’s permanent executive vice president and provost for under a year. He was named Penn State’s executive vice president and provost May 1, 2023. Prior to that, he held the interim role for about 10 months prior.

Schwartz was also asked about a recent survey which suggested that there is tension between faculty and staff dynamics.

He said that solving these kinds of problems begins with shared governance and leadership which he promised would start from his office.

“People need to recognize power dynamics at play that need to tilt the balance,” he said. “I’m not tolerant of disrespectful behavior.”

Schwartz, who has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, described himself as a “slow triathlete, and hiker” who is looking forward to meeting the students and staff on campus. 

If all goes well with this week’s forums, there’s no word from the university on when Schwartz’ would start. DiStefano, with 15 years at the helm, was the longest-serving chancellor in CU’s history, He said upon his retirement announcement that he would remain on the job until the position was filled.