Mark Kennedy

Mark Kennedy is an accomplished academic leader and former politician who served as the 23rd president of the University of Colorado (CU) from July 1, 2019, until his resignation in May 2021. He was appointed to the position on May 2, 2019, overseeing a university system that includes four campuses—Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and the Anschutz Medical Campus—serving over 67,000 students and managing a budget of approximately $4.8 billion.12

Background and Education

Kennedy is a first-generation college graduate, earning his bachelor's degree from St. John's University and an MBA with distinction from the University of Michigan. Before his presidency at CU, he was the president of the University of North Dakota from 2016 to 2019, where he implemented a strategic plan that significantly improved graduation rates and expanded research initiatives.12

Career Highlights

Kennedy's career spans various sectors, including government, business, and higher education. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007, representing Minnesota's Second and Sixth Congressional Districts. During his time in Congress, he was known for his bipartisan approach and served on several committees, including Agriculture and Financial Services.124

In addition to his political career, Kennedy had a notable tenure in business, contributing to the expansion of Häagen-Dazs at Pillsbury and holding executive roles at Macy's and Accenture. He is also the founder of the Economic Club of Minnesota and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.125

Presidency at the University of Colorado

During his presidency at CU, Kennedy focused on fiscal sustainability, accessibility of education, and enhancing student success. However, his tenure was marked by challenges, including a censure from the Boulder faculty regarding his leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. This led to his early departure, which was officially announced in May 2021, a year before the end of his contract, amid a shift in the Board of Regents' political composition.346

Kennedy's leadership style and decisions were met with mixed reactions from students and faculty, particularly concerning his handling of social issues and campus culture. His exit was seen by many as an opportunity for the university to pursue a more progressive direction.46

Personal Life

Mark Kennedy is married to Debbie Kennedy, and they have four children and six grandchildren. He remains an advocate for higher education and continues to engage in discussions about its role in society.12