The University of Denver has appointed two new leaders to oversee key positions at its city and mountain campuses.
Jeffrey Banks was named vice chancellor of human resources in March, while Stuart Halsall was named the University’s first associate vice chancellor of the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, wellness and recreation.
With the appointment of Banks, the University gains a seasoned pro with deep expertise in campus climate and workforce development. Banks comes to DU from Sonoma State University in California, where he was senior associate vice president for university personnel. There, he led work in diversity, equity and inclusion; co-chaired campus climate survey initiatives; and spurred systems to support human resources recruiting.
Banks is obtaining an EdD in human resource and workforce development from the University of Arkansas, where he earned his master’s in operations management. He also has a bachelor’s in biology.
In announcing Banks’ appointment, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner cited his professional and personal qualifications: “Not only does Jeff possess the depth of experience and expertise to succeed, but he has already demonstrated his proficiency with strategic thinking, his commitment to employee wellness efforts and a compassionate nature, all of which will serve him well as a trusted advisor and champion for his colleagues in matters pertaining to employee relations. Moreover, he is passionate about enhancing DU’s recruitment efforts to ensure DU is recognized as an employer of choice.”
Halsall has served DU since 1999 in the Division of Athletics, Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations, now renamed the Division of Athletics. Before accepting his new position, he had been associate vice chancellor of athletics and recreation and assistant vice chancellor of recreation and Ritchie Center operations, among other roles.
In his new position, Halsall will be an advisor to the chancellor and serve on the chancellor’s cabinet. He will provide vision, leadership, business development and financial management of operations at the mountain campus, as well as lead wellness and recreation programming and facilities at the Denver and mountain campuses.
“This dual role was carefully and intentionally built to knit together the mountain campus with the urban campus, further strengthening the holistic, 4D Experience we promise and which our students look for at the University of Denver,” Haefner noted. “Stu brings to this brand-new position an incredible depth of knowledge of DU, as well as firsthand experience helping our students build meaningful lives and purpose-driven careers.”