Published: Dec. 8, 2014

The named M. Scott Morris the new Chief HR Officer (CHRO), effective Jan. 5, 2015. Morris comes to CU-Boulder from the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”) where for the past four years he has served as Associate Vice President of Human Resources.

Over his more than 20 year career – which spans both the public and private sectors – Morris has developed deep skills and experience in organizational development, talent acquisition and employee relations; he also possesses a keen understanding of market-based compensation, international employment, and diversity and inclusion. In addition to his work at Georgia Tech, Morris has worked in the University of California System, the California State University system, the State University of New York and the National Nuclear Laboratories.

The newly created CHRO role will report directly to Senior Vice Chancellor and CFO Kelly Fox, and will serve as a member of the Chancellor’s Executive Committee. SVC Fox expressed excitement that the search committee was able to bring such an exceptional leader to campus.

“We are delighted to be able to fill this key position with such an experienced and talented individual as Scott,” said Fox. “His addition to the team will allow us to achieve our goals of creating a top quality, service-focused HR team with the expertise to help a large, complex institution achieve its goals to be considered an employer of choice among faculty and staff.”

Morris says he is excited to start meeting people on campus and learning about the many colleges, departments and other units. “Achieving success is always contingent on truly understanding an organization’s culture, and the history of what has been done,” said Morris. “Learning quickly is an absolute priority for me.”

Morris also said that within the first several months of 2015, he will be leading the HR team and others to create a “framework for the university’s success in HR.” This plan will be informed by conversations with deans, vice chancellors and others, and will be shared publically when completed.

“Differentiating CU as an employer will require a team effort,” Morris said. “I’m energized by the early conversations that I’ve had with Chancellor DiStefano, Provost Moore, many of our deans and institute directors and our vice chancellors. I feel like I am joining this effort at a very exciting time.”

In addition, as you may have heard last week, Jill Pollock announced her plans to step down as System Vice President for Employee and Information Services.Pollock, in addition to continuing her work with President Benson, also plans to work for the Boulder campus. She will be working closely with CHRO Morris on several issues including thefurther development of our diversity hiring programs as well as the development of strong succession planning for leadership roles on campus.