Inside Iowa State

Oct. 6, 2006

Hoffman returns to ISU as provost

by Diana Pounds

Elizabeth Hoffman, former University of Colorado president and Iowa State dean, was named executive vice president and provost at ISU by President Gregory Geoffroy on Sept. 27.

Currently a professor of economics and public affairs at Colorado, Hoffman is expected to assume her new role at Iowa State on Jan. 1, 2007. Geoffroy selected Hoffman following a nationwide search by an 18-member ISU committee, led by Tahira Hira, executive assistant to the president and professor of consumer economics.

"Elizabeth Hoffman is an exceptionally talented and experienced academic leader, and we are excited that she is returning to Iowa State," Geoffroy said. "She cares deeply about this university, our students, faculty and staff, and she will be a great leader of all aspects of the university's academic enterprise and our land-grant mission to serve Iowa."

Hoffman was president of the University of Colorado system from 2000 to 2005. She served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Illinois, Chicago, from 1997 to 2000; and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and professor of economics at Iowa State from 1993 to 1997.

Hoffman previously was on the faculty at The University of Arizona, Tucson, where she served as associate dean and MBA program director (1989-93) for the Karl Eller Graduate School of Management. She also was on the faculties at the University of Wyoming, Laramie; Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.; Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; and the University of Florida, Gainesville.

"Iowa State is an outstanding university, known for its excellence in teaching, bold research initiatives, and service to Iowans," Hoffman said. "It means a great deal to me to return to such a special place. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with President Geoffroy and the university community."

Hoffman received the A.B. in history (1968) from Smith College, Northampton, Mass.; the M.A. in history (1969) from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; the Ph.D. in history (1972) from the University of Pennsylvania and the Ph.D. in economics (1979) from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.

Former ISU provost Benjamin Allen left Iowa State last June to become president of the University of Northern Iowa. Associate provost Susan Carlson is serving as interim provost.

Elizabeth Hoffman

Elizabeth Hoffman served as ISU's dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a professor of economics from 1993 to 1997.