Colorado College President Jill Tiefenthaler has announced her resignation to take on a new role. She is set to become the first female Chief Executive Officer of The National Geographic Society this summer.
In a letter to faculty and staff, Tiefenthaler described her nine years at Colorado College as “the greatest honor and joy” of her career in higher education.
While at CC, Tiefenthaler oversaw a wide range of projects including CC’s alliance with the Fine Arts Center, the planning of Robson Arena, and the college’s efforts to become what it calls an antiracist institution. In a statement, Susie Burghart, chair of the Colorado College Board of Trustees, congratulated Tiefenthaler and expressed her gratitude.
“We are sorry to lose her, but proud that a member of the CC family will be leading the National Geographic Society at such a critical time for the future of the planet,” Burghart said.
Jean Case, chairman of the board of trustees of the National Geographic Society, said in an announcement that Tiefenthaler’s "skills, background and experience are perfectly suited to help the National Geographic Society further extend its reach and impact for many years to come."
Tiefenthaler will assume her new role in August 2020 and remain at CC until then.
Tiefenthaler received her M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Duke University. She joined the faculty of Colgate University in 1991, where she served as department chair, associate dean of the faculty, and senior adviser to the president. She then served as provost and professor of economics at Wake Forest University. She has led Colorado College since 2011.
The CC Board of Trustees will choose Tiefenthaler’s replacement. Beginning next month, the board will collaborate with campus and alumni leadership groups on the search.
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