Michael Grant, professor of environmental, population and organismic biology, has been named associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ at Boulder.
He will assume the position July 1, pending approval by the CU Board of Regents in June.
"I am confident that Michael will provide the excellent leadership that is needed to enhance undergraduate education at CU-Boulder," said Phil DiStefano, vice chancellor for academic affairs. "He has proven that we can provide quality programs that will attract top scholars to the university."
Grant is also the director of the Norlin Scholars Program, a new undergraduate education program aimed at highly motivated students with strong academic or creative abilities. The first class of 36 outstanding students was recently selected from a pool of local, national and international candidates.
As associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education, Grant will focus on enhancing the quality of CU-Boulder's faculty, students, courses and programs. Responsibilities for his office include coordinating the residential academic programs (RAPs), including the newly initiated Chancellors Leadership RAP, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, the Norlin Scholars Program, all three ROTC programs and campus-wide academic programs for undergraduates.
Grant has been a CU-Boulder faculty member for 25 years. He has received local and national recognition for teaching, including the Boulder Faculty Assembly Teaching Excellence Award, 1987; the CU-Boulder Hazel Barnes Award for Teaching and Research Excellence, 1995; and Teaching Excellence Recognition, Mortar Board Society, 1991 and 1997. He also isa member of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ President's Teaching Scholars Program.
In addition to his science teaching career, Grant has had a successful career as a research scientist and is internationally known for his expertise in plant ecology, evolutionary biology and acid rain. He is especially known for his contribution to identifying Pando, the Giant Aspen Clone, as the world's most massive living organism.
Grant earned his doctorate in botany from Duke University and has published extensively. He has received numerous research grants and awards, and is an active speaker and consultant.
Undergraduate Academic Affairs provides programs and services that complement the CU-Boulder strategic plan to provide high-quality, dynamic educational programs to prepare leaders for the 21st century. For more information visit the web site at .