Feb. 1 was the first day on the job for Amy Parsons, Colorado State University’s 16th president.
Parsons was confirmed by the CSU Board of Governors on Dec. 16 following a highly competitive, nationwide five-month search process.
“The Board of Governors is extremely confident in the leadership that Amy Parsons brings to the role of president,” said Kim Jordan, chair of the CSU System Board of Governors. “Amy is a leader with proven results who brings a deep appreciation and respect for the university and its academic mission, as well as the business expertise needed to manage the complexity of an organization this size. Amy will surround herself with a strong team and is equipped to take care of the details that will allow everyone at the university to be able to focus on their areas of expertise and impact.”
In her comments to the board following the announcement, Parsons expressed appreciation to the university community and outlined the huge opportunities and inherent challenges that the university is facing.
“I am humbled and honored to accept the responsibility of becoming the 16th president of Colorado State University,” Parsons said. “I will be doing a lot of listening in my first months on the job and working with the campus community to move forward the excellent work that is already in progress. I look forward to doing this important work together and, together, leading CSU into a new era of achievement and excellence. This university deserves our very best, and I will give you mine.”
Vision for CSU
She shared her vision for the institution, which includes setting the standard of a modern land-grant university with a deep commitment to access, excellence in academics and research, and innovative programming, and making CSU one of the best places to work for all employees, including competitive compensation and efforts to ensure faculty support, recruitment and retention.
Parsons committed to listening in the first months of the job and shared her respect for the CSU community and those who shared feedback throughout the process and in a confidential Faculty Council survey: “I understand and respect all of the concerns expressed, and I take them seriously. This is, in many ways, the best part of the University – the freedom to disagree, to criticize, to debate how best to fulfill the mission of the university and to advance the academic enterprise.”
Parsons, who has 16 years of higher education leadership experience, as well as seven years of private sector experience, led some of the most comprehensive projects in CSU history during