Presidential Search

Dear Naropa Community,

The Naropa Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dr. Paul Burkhardt has been selected to be next President of Naropa University. His first day will be August 1st, 2025; and he and his partner, Dr. Zoë Hammer, will now begin the process of moving to Boulder.

A presidential search is one of the most important responsibilities that the Board of Trustees undertakes. We are proud of the collaborative, inclusive search process that the Board, our Presidential Search Committee, and the Naropa community engaged in. We are grateful to Kendra Sandoval, Chair of the Naropa Search Committee, and to Richard Wueste and the staff from AGB Search for leading that process. We received more than 60 applications for the position, interviewed nine semifinalists, and went through two rounds of lengthy interviews with the three finalists. It was an intense and enlightening process. In May, following three days of interviews, the Board unanimously selected Dr. Burkhardt. The Naropa trustees believe Dr. Burkhardt is the accomplished leader we need now, to work closely with students, staff, faculty, and the Board to implement innovative strategies for meeting this moment, and to lead and support us in charting a visionary course into the future.

Kendra Sandoval noted, “This has not only been about choosing a leader but about reaffirming who we are as a community and what we value at our core. Hiring Paul is the continuation of a path we have been walking at Naropa for 50 years, one that holds the tension of change and the wisdom of continuity.”

Paul most recently served as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer at The University of Olivet. Prior to that, he was the Executive Vice President & Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Chief Operating Officer at Prescott College. Paul has dedicated himself to servant leadership at intentional and mission-driven universities. In his Letter of Interest, Paul shared, “My job as a servant leader is to listen, ensure inclusive processes, build trust and understanding in vision and plans, and provide the resources necessary for student, staff, and faculty success.” We are excited about the vision, leadership, and experience Paul brings to this role.

Paul shares this message to the Naropa community:

“As I prepare to join the Naropa University community, I am filled with a sense of deep gratitude and responsibility. In a time defined by division and insecurity, Naropa’s mission and approach to education – rooted in contemplative practice and guided by compassion, critical inquiry, and courageous engagement – give me so much hope for the future!

When Zoë and I visited last month, we were delighted by each of the students, staff, and faculty we met. Such thoughtful questions you ask. ‘How would you define serenity? If Naropa were not a university, what would it be?’ There is a palpable and vibrant energy amidst the diversity of the Naropa community that we find quite irresistible. We are so glad that you have invited us to join the circle!

As a community, we will grow Naropa’s leadership in contemplative, learner-centered education. We will foster a culture of belonging that leaves no living being behind, and challenge systems of oppression that inhibit human dignity and development. We will embrace our ecological interdependence—cultivating regenerative practices and renewing our sacred relationship with the Earth. As we co-create Naropa’s next chapter, let us remain rooted in our founding principles while courageously imagining and rehearsing the future. In doing so, we honor Naropa’s legacy and affirm its role as a beacon of mindful, meaningful, and transformative education.”

We are also thrilled to welcome Paul’s partner Dr. Zoë Hammer to the community. Paul shared this about Zoë:

“Dr. Zoë Hammer has served as a professor of cultural studies at Northern Arizona University, Prescott College, and The University of Olivet. Her teaching and writing explore intertwined geographies of mass incarceration, migration, global political economy, and movements for social and environmental justice. She has conducted movement-based research, developed curriculum, served on boards, facilitated strategic planning, and developed communications and campaign strategy for labor unions and grassroots organizations in the U.S., Mexico, and Kenya. As the founding director of a master’s program in Social Justice and Community Organizing, Zoë has trained many working organizers. She also loves knitting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.”

As we are welcoming Paul to Naropa, the Board of Trustees acknowledges Chuck Lief for the past 13 years of tireless commitment and work as our President. We also honor Chuck’s 50 years of dedication to advancing Naropa’s mission. We have been fortunate to have a President who can stand firmly planted in the roots and foundation of Naropa University while also having the vision and courage to face uncertainty with an open heart, an open mind, and a sense of humor. He and Judy will be profoundly missed – but we know that they will stay connected to the Naropa community.

The upcoming presidential transition will be a very important time for our community. We will work to keep the community up to date. You can also see the press release and track updates here: https://www.naropa.edu/new-president.

Feel free to send any inquiries to office_of_the_president@naropa.edu.

With deep gratitude,

Suzanne Benally & Mark Wilding

Board of Trustee Co-chairs