Kate Cimino joined the College of Music in January 2024 and brings to her role a unique mix of experience in executive leadership, higher education and music. Cimino worked at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs for 13 years as assistant director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance and—concurrently—as executive director of the Policy Fellows program, a nationally recognized professional development program bringing together mid-career leaders from business, government and nonprofit sectors. Earlier in her career, Cimino worked in residence life at Creighton University. Most recently, she served for three years as executive director of the Citizens League, a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage people in nonpartisan public policy and community initiatives. Cimino also served for 10 years on the board of directors—including two years as board chair—at MacPhail Center for Music, the nation’s largest community music school.
In Minnesota, Cimino was a member of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable; received 40 Under 40 recognition from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Business Journal; and was honored with a superior civilian service award from the Minnesota Army National Guard for her work engaging members of the Guard in the Humphrey Policy Fellows program for over a decade.
Cimino holds two master’s degrees: A Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) and a Master of Arts in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University.
Cimino is a bassoonist, most recently playing in a woodwind quintet. She was a music minor at Case Western Reserve University; and in graduate school, she played bassoon with the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra. These days, she enjoys supporting her son as he learns the piano and trombone.
Cimino is originally from Buffalo, New York, and now resides in Boulder with her family.