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Kate Cimino serves as assistant dean for strategic initiatives at the CU Boulder College of Music where she works closely with the dean, college leadership, faculty and staff to advance shared priorities across the college. As a member of the Dean’s Cabinet, she helps coordinate strategy, campus partnerships and organizational processes, and oversees operations and facilities at the college. Recently, she has been involved in campus preparations for the arrival of the Sundance Film Festival starting in January 2027.

Cimino brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, civic engagement and music-centered community work. Before joining CU Boulder, she served as executive director of the Citizens League, a Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on nonpartisan public policy and community problem-solving. She also spent 13 years at the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs where she served as assistant director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, and executive director of the nationally recognized Policy Fellows program which brings together midcareer leaders from business, government and nonprofit sectors. Earlier in her career, she worked in residence life at Creighton ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Cimino’s professional and volunteer leadership reflects a longstanding commitment to connecting people, institutions and ideas through public service and the arts. She served for 10 years on the board of directors of MacPhail Center for Music, the nation’s largest community music school, including two years as board chair. In Boulder, she serves as an appointed member of the Boulder Arts Commission, supporting the city’s work to strengthen arts, culture and creative life in the community.

Cimino holds a Master of Public Administration from the ³Ô¹ÏÍø of Missouri–Kansas City and a Master of Arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State ³Ô¹ÏÍø. She earned an undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve ³Ô¹ÏÍø where she minored in music. A bassoonist and lifelong musician, she has performed in wind ensembles, orchestra and chamber music settings including the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Cimino lives in Boulder with her family.