Mayor Webb Urges CU Regents to Revamp University Hiring Practices for a Brighter Future

Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and other leaders have raised concerns about the lack of Black representation at the University of Colorado (CU). They recently urged the CU Board of Regents to investigate the school’s hiring practices.

At a press conference, Webb emphasized the need for change. “You can’t have an all-white leadership team and a mostly Black sports team. It shows a clear divide,” he stated. His comments reflect a broader call for inclusivity at the university.

Currently, CU’s leadership team doesn’t include any Black members. From 620 employees in executive roles across CU’s campuses, only 25, or about 4%, identify as Black. This stark contrast is concerning, especially given that the percentage of Black first-year students has recently increased to 7.9%, the highest enrollment figures in CU’s history.

Webb noted, “It’s shocking to have so few Black leaders at such a major university.” He compared CU’s representation unfavorably to other universities, noting that even schools in the South, like Alabama and Mississippi, have more Black leaders in their senior ranks.

The situation at CU isn’t new. Over its history, which began in 1876, the university has had only two Black chancellors. Mary Francis Berry was the first, serving briefly in the 1970s, followed by Roy Wilson, who left in 2010.

Webb’s call for an investigation highlights a significant issue that many institutions face: how to better represent and include diverse populations within their leadership. He’s also suggested that if the Regents are unable or unwilling to self-investigate, the state legislature should step in to conduct a study.

Representative Jennifer Bacon echoed Webb’s sentiment, stating, “The Black community is paying attention, and we urge CU to address these issues with inclusivity in mind.”

As discussions about diversity and representation continue, CU and other universities will need to find effective strategies to ensure their leadership reflects their student body and the community at large. This conversation mirrors trends seen nationally, where institutions are being held accountable for diversity in their hiring practices. The pressure for change is mounting, and as Webb pointed out, the time for action is now.

For more information on diversity at universities across the U.S., you can explore reports from organizations like the American Council on Education.



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University of Colorado (CU),Wellington Webb