The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has chosen Keith Humphrey, Ph.D., as the university’s new vice president for Student Affairs. Humphrey was selected through a national search that was launched last fall. He will start his position on May 19.

“I am excited to welcome Keith to UNC. He is an action-oriented and innovative leader with a deep commitment to student success. He is an expert at fostering an inclusive environment and recognizes the value UNC places on supporting our diverse student population.” said UNC President Andy Feinstein. “Keith is a collaborative and approachable student-centered leader, and I am confident he will quickly step into the role as a trusted advisor and to me, senior leaders and other university administrators and to faculty members on a wide range of matters that are core to our ‘Students First’ commitment.”

“Student success has been and always will be my priority, and I am excited and honored to join the entire team at UNC to elevate this work.”

Keith Humphrey

Humphrey joins UNC from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, where he most recently served for 12 years as vice president for Student Affairs. In this role he oversees more than 550 staff in 30 departments, supporting almost 23,000 students. He brings over 25 years of higher education experience to UNC, which includes 14 years serving in various roles at The University of Arizona, including as assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students.

Aligned with UNC’s strategic priorities and commitment to student success, supporting student learning has been at the core of Humphrey’s professional leadership throughout his career. In his current role he led the development of learning outcomes for every program across Cal Poly’s Student Affairs department and created and opened nearly a dozen new facilities designed to facilitate out-of-class learning.

“President Feinstein has an ambitious and exciting vision for the out-of-class student experience and how it contributes to student’s academic and personal success. I share his vision.” said Humphrey. “Student success has been and always will be my priority, and I am excited and honored to join the entire team at UNC to elevate this work.”

Humphrey is known for his approachable, transparent, equity-minded leadership. He was recognized in 2022 by the CSU system when he received the Wang Family Award for Excellence, the highest staff recognition award in the CSU and awarded annually to only one staff member across all 23 CSU campuses. During his time at Cal Poly he served on the institution’s Graduation Initiative Leadership Team, helping to increase the four-year graduation rate by 13% since 2012, while simultaneously decreasing the graduation gap for Pell-eligible and underrepresented minority students.

In addition to his leadership roles in Student Affairs, he participated in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millennium Leadership Initiative from 2017-18 and the California State University Executive Leadership Program from 2019-20. Humphrey also served the student affairs profession as vice president, president and past president of American College Personnel Association College Student Educators International from 2011-2013.

Humphrey received his bachelor’s degree from The College of William and Mary, a master’s degree from James Madison University and a doctorate from The University of Arizona where he served on the faculty of the Center for the Study of Higher Education for six years after completing his degree.

“I was deeply impressed with the entire UNC community during my campus visit — university leadership, Student Affairs staff and especially the students — and look forward to joining the Greeley community and enhancing the student experience,” said Humphrey.