Daniel Maxey

An accomplished administrator and scholar, Daniel Maxey is Chief of Staff to Chancellor Michelle Marks. He has more than 20 years of experience as an education policy scholar, a government relations practitioner, and a learner-centered higher education professional and leader. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff at the University of Northern Colorado.

Dan’s scholarly work includes grant-funded research examining the influence of changes in faculty work roles on student success and studies of higher education governing boards. An accomplished author, his numerous published works have appeared in academic journals, book chapters, white papers, and periodicals.

As chief of staff, Dan works closely with the Chancellor, senior leaders, faculty, staff, students and the greater Denver community to ensure that diverse voices are heard and represented, and to help the university address the challenges and opportunities inherent in the Strategic Plan 2030.

Deeply dedicated to equity, access, student success, and community impact, Dan’s involvement in higher education began at Arizona State University where he served as an academic advisor. The experience shaped his understanding of what it means to be a learner-centered practitioner in education and continues to inform his passion for eliminating obstacles to student success.

Previously Dan served as chief of staff to the president and special assistant to the provost for strategic initiatives at the University of Wyoming, and held various leadership positions at Santa Clara University, the University of Southern California, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia. In addition, his background includes government relations positions in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Dan earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education Policy from USC. He also holds a master’s degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Government from The College of William and Mary.