CU Boulder names Ann Huff Stevens new provost

May 28, 2025—Ann Huff Stevens has been named provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective July 15, following a national search, said University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz.

“Dr. Stevens’ background and accomplishments in public higher education during the past two decades present an extraordinary fit for the role of provost at CU Boulder,” Schwartz said. “Her strong commitment to transparency, excellence in research, academic freedom, and faculty and student diversity and well-being, are aligned with the ideals of the position as lead academic officer of the university.”

Stevens currently serves as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin, where she holds the David Bruton, Jr. Regents Chair in Liberal Arts. Stevens’ research interests include the incidence and long-term effects of job loss, the connections between economic shocks and health and the dynamics of poverty and safety nets. Her research has been supported by numerous grants from foundations and federal agencies and is widely cited, placing her in the top 4% of economists worldwide.

“I couldn’t be more honored to step into this role as provost and contribute to the future of CU Boulder,” Stevens said. “My research career as an economist has been driven by my belief that research contributes to the public good. My work in interdisciplinary settings and as dean has exposed me to a large span of academic disciplines, and I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students who contribute to an even broader range of academic inquiry, learning and excellence at CU Boulder.”

Stevens received her doctorate in economics from the University of Michigan and her undergraduate degree in economics and political science from American University.

Stevens succeeds Russell Moore, the longest-serving provost among all institutions in the Association of American Universities. Last fall, Moore announced he was stepping down from the role after 15 years of service as provost.