UNC Board of Trustees Appoints Interim President

The University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) Board of Trustees has selected Kamel Haddad, Ph.D., to serve as interim president beginning Aug. 2, following President Andy Feinstein’s announcement last month that he was stepping down.

Haddad who currently serves as dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) will lead the university while the board conducts a national search for UNC’s next president. In this role, Haddad will provide leadership across key university priorities, including advancing the university’s strategic plan, maintaining financial stability, strengthening key relationships across the community and within local and state government and helping to 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,” said Board Chairman Dick Monfort. “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, San Marcos. As dean of NHS, he has focused on developing and delivering high‑quality programs that are responsive to regional needs and aligned with national workforce trends, including advancing 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,” said Haddad. “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.”

President Feinstein joined the university in July 2018, serving for eight years as UNC’s 13th president. Under his leadership, UNC advanced student success through numerous initiatives that have resulted in record-setting student retention and persistence rates. During his tenure, the university also 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 already begun preparations for a national presidential search, which includes the formation of a presidential search 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/.