CU Denver Names NSF Chief Science Officer Karen A. Marrongelle Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Today, CU Denver named Dr. Karen A. Marrongelle as its next Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Marrongelle brings a wealth of experience, an extraordinary track record of leadership, and a bold vision for the future of CU Denver. As Provost, she will focus on enhancing academic excellence, developing innovative programs, and positioning CU Denver as a leader in transforming education.

Her appointment marks a significant step forward as CU Denver continues to strengthen its reputation as Colorado’s premier public urban research university and a transformative force for students, the communities it serves, and the broader world.

“Dr. Marrongelle’s career exemplifies a steadfast commitment to innovation, academic excellence, and student success, values that resonate deeply with our campus community, CU Denver’s mission, and me,” said CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen. “Her vision includes leveraging CU Denver’s strengths in innovation, research, and community partnerships to build a better future for everyone we serve. I look forward, with great anticipation, to the energy, expertise, and vision she will bring to our university, and I am confident that her leadership will inspire us all to reach new heights in our shared mission.”

Currently, she is serving as the Chief Science Officer at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), where she oversees science operations for the federal agency. Its mission includes support for all fields of fundamental science and engineering. Her leadership at NSF has been transformative, including her role in launching the first new directorate in more than three decades, the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, which exemplifies her ability to drive strategic innovation in large, complex organizations. 

Prior to her tenure at NSF, Marrongelle served as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University, where she spearheaded interdisciplinary collaborations, strategic resource realignment, and initiatives that positioned the college for long-term success. Notably, she led Portland State’s first-ever cluster hire, a process that enriched faculty excellence while fostering interdisciplinary research and teaching. Her leadership philosophy—rooted in transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity—has consistently delivered impactful results and created lasting legacies. 

Marrongelle’s dedication to empowering faculty and staff, advancing impactful research, and fostering student success aligns seamlessly with CU Denver’s goals.

“I am excited to join CU Denver at an important moment in its history and look forward to collaborating with Chancellor Christensen and every member of the campus community as we navigate through the opportunities and challenges of this moment to realize widespread success in academic innovation, research excellence, and student achievement,” Marrongelle said. “During my visit to the campus as a finalist, I gained a deeper appreciation for the commitments we all share to the students we serve at CU Denver and the vital mission of the institution as the anchor for excellence in higher education right in the heart of Denver.” 

Marrongelle holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy from Albright College, a master’s degree in mathematics from Lehigh University and a doctorate in mathematics education from the University of New Hampshire. 

She begins her duties at CU Denver on July 28, 2025.

In a campuswide email, Chancellor Christensen thanked the search committee that worked with a national consultant to find excellent candidates for consideration.

“On behalf of the CU Denver community, I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the provost search committee for their diligent and thoughtful work,” Christensen said. “Special thanks go to our search committee co-chairs, College of Arts & Media Dean Lucinda Bliss and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Phillip De Leon, who ran a thorough, but expedited search to ensure we could begin our next academic year with a new provost. Through the committee’s good work and commitment to a rigorous and comprehensive process, we brought exemplary candidates to campus and were able to hire a leader of Dr. Marrongelle’s caliber.”