Elizabeth Hoffman (professor) - Administrative Career

Administrative Career

In 1989, Hoffman became associate dean and director of the MBA program at the college of business and public administration at the University of Arizona. In 1993, she became dean of liberal arts and sciences at Iowa State University, where she was also professor of economics and psychology. In 1997, she became provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She was also professor of economics, history, political science, and psychology, as well as professor in the Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

On September 1, 2000, Hoffman became the 20th president of the then four-campus University of Colorado system. She served in that role until 2005, when she resigned citing the distraction of multiple ongoing controversies. These included the university's alleged use of sex and alcohol to recruit football players, an alcohol-related student death at the Boulder campus, and the Ward Churchill essay controversy. When she received a demand from Governor Bill Owens to fire Ward Churchill, she refused on grounds of academic freedom. Her refusal drew her personally into the Churchill controversy, and she resigned soon afterward. She has since identified the dispute over Churchill as her reason for resigning.