UNC appoints Haddad as interim president

GREELEY — Kamel Haddad, dean of the University of Northern Colorado’s College of Natural and Health Sciences, has been selected by UNC’s Board of Trustees to serve as interim president of the school beginning Aug. 2.

Haddad will fill a vacancy left by Andy Feinstein, who announced at the end of February that he would step down Aug. 1 after eight years at the university’s helm.

Haddad will lead the university while the board conducts a national search for UNC’s next president. One of his high-profile tasks will be helping ensure the successful opening of UNC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine this summer.  

“I am confident that Kamel is the right leader to guide UNC during this transition,” board chairman Dick Monfort said in a prepared statement. ““Our interim president has expressed deep commitment to UNC’s mission and enthusiasm for the important months ahead.” 

Haddad joined the university in May 2021 after having previously served as a professor of mathematics, vice provost and interim provost at California State University in San Marcos. As a dean at UNC, he has advanced new degree and certificate programs in computer science, statistics and health sciences. He also prioritized strategic enrollment initiatives that reversed a multi‑year decline, leading to consistent year‑over‑year growth in student enrollment within the college throughout his tenure.

“I am humbled and honored to serve UNC in this role,” Haddad said in a news release. “Over the coming months, my focus will be on continuity, partnership and supporting the momentum already underway across campus. I look forward to building on our strengths and preparing the institution for a successful transition.”

Feinstein joined the university in July 2018 as UNC’s 13th president. Under his leadership, UNC saw record-setting student retention and persistence rates and achieved several key strategic milestones, including the designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, elevation to Carnegie’s Research 2 classification and creation of UNC’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, the state’s first public osteopathic medical college, set to welcome its first group of students in July.

UNC’s Board of Trustees has begun preparations for a national presidential search, which includes the formation of an advisory committee co-chaired by trustees Steve Jordan and Annette Martinez. Representation on the committee will also include students, faculty, staff, administrative leadership, alumni, donors and community stakeholders.More information about the presidential search, including search committee formation, updates, timelines and opportunities for feedback and engagement, is available online at unco.edu/presidential-search/.

Share on Facebook on LinkedIn