We recently sat down with her to learn more about her background and the approach she will take when she starts in this new role.  

Please tell us about your background and what got you started on your career path.

I’ve been working in higher education for most of my career. I got my start in the field by working for a national policy organization, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Asscociation (SHEEO), and I stayed in the policy realm for over a decade while finishing my doctorate. Next, I jumped into college-level work with Community College of Denver, and I spent a number of years at the system office leading the online learning division of the Colorado Community College System. That work was new and exciting at the time, the early years of what was then known as “distance learning.” My colleagues and I felt we were building something significant that would change teaching and learning for the future. From there, I jumped back into the policy realm, working at the Colorado Department of Higher Education and WICHE (the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education).  I have known leaders who moved back and forth throughout their careers between policy and institutional work, and I think it provides great insight into levers of change and how to bring influence to bear at different levels. Then I landed again at Community College of Denver as provost before starting my first college presidency at Trinidad State College. 

What is most interesting to you about the CSU Pueblo presidency? 

Being a college president is the most challenging and rewarding job I’ve ever held. It’s also my favorite job – I think it plays to my strengths because I enjoy working at both the strategic and operational levels of an organization. The CSU Pueblo presidency is exciting for me because I believe there is a great deal of promise and potential within the university. I have watched this institution throughout the years and always felt it is a hidden gem, not just in Southern Colorado, but in all of Colorado and across the Southwestern United States. There are incredibly talented faculty and staff, excellent academic programs, successful athletic programs, and a community that cares deeply about this university. And when I talk about promise and potential, I’m also talking about Pueblo itself. Having been involved in several economic development initiatives around the region, I believe Pueblo is well positioned to grow economically, and I know what can happen when we bring all of the business, education, and government leaders into alignment. 

How have your previous roles, including your time as president of Trinidad State College, prepared you for this position? 

I have led an institution through times of crisis, times of scarcity, times of growth, and times of change (which seems to be a persistent state). With all the uncertainty in the world of today – political divisions, a constrained state budget, a crowded higher education market, and too many disconnected youth – I believe I can help position CSU Pueblo as a central force for change. In my previous role, I learned the benefits of being part of the identity of a place and serving the population that lives there – we don’t see that in larger metropolitan areas. We can provide a lower cost of education for students who can save money by living at home, and we offer an affordable residential experience for those who live on our campus. For all students, we can provide small classes and a supportive campus climate that values all cultures and backgrounds. We provide high value degrees that lead to meaningful employment and lifelong engagement in the community, and we help build an economy that encourages young people to stay and raise their families, and that also attracts new students, new workforce talent, and new businesses. These are experiences and values I learned from working in a small, rural college, and they are values I will bring with me to my role at CSU Pueblo.

Based on your experiences living and working in southern Colorado, could you share your thoughts on the best ways for colleges and universities to meet the needs of residents and communities in that part of the state? 

There is a lot being asked of colleges and universities right now, especially regional comprehensive universities, which are typically under-resourced and found in regions that are more economically challenged.  We are asked to serve students who are historically underserved, and at the same time we are asked to make college more affordable and more relevant. Our region in Southern Colorado needs us like never before, as our economies are changing and our legacy industries are no longer driving the prosperity we once relied upon. 

And yet, I see exciting potential on the horizon. The ways in which our region grows and prospers in the future will depend on having a skilled workforce. CSU Pueblo can be a critical partner that propels the region forward – I believe colleges and universities are the single best driver of economic and social mobility in this country, and certainly in Southern Colorado. I have a particular love for institutions that provide access to students from all incomes and backgrounds because going to college changes the trajectory of their lives. It impacts not only that student’s life, but that of their children and grandchildren. The benefits extend to the community as well, with lower unemployment, lower crime, and higher economic prosperity. In Pueblo, we are lucky to have both an excellent community college in Pueblo Community College (PCC) and an outstanding university in CSU Pueblo.  This is a powerful force for meeting the workforce demands of the region as well as driving new business growth down the I-25 corridor into our region.  

What will be your top priorities as you get started at CSU Pueblo? 

My first priority will be to provide stable and forward-thinking leadership for the university.  There have been several years of leadership changes, and I am tremendously grateful, not only to the leaders before me, but to interim president Rico Munn for stepping in to keep the university moving forward during a period of change. I’m also grateful to members of the leadership team for making real progress during these years of transition. It is a testament to their own leadership, expertise, and commitment to CSU Pueblo and our students. Before I get too specific in declaring priorities, I recognize that I have a lot to learn about the university. I plan to learn about each department and each program, and I look forward to meeting with staff and faculty members to learn what they do and understand what motivates them. I am aware that I will be stepping into a new cultural environment, and I want to respect that culture and learn how I can best support the members of this community. I also have a lot to learn about Pueblo, and I look forward to meeting with community leaders, business leaders, and political leaders of the greater Pueblo area. So, laying a foundation for relationships, understanding the budget and the financial position of the university, getting to know colleagues and students, and really absorbing the feeling of Pack Pride – those are my top priorities as I get started.   

What do you see as the most promising opportunities for the University?

I see a real opportunity for the university to become even more engaged in economic development. My vision is for CSU Pueblo to be not only at the table, but an engine that is driving economic development in the region. I see opportunities for us to build stronger ties to industry through research, internships, and the cultivation of entrepreneurs. In partnership with other economic development leaders, we need to be looking down the road to prepare for industries we want to bring to Pueblo. It has been exciting for me to learn about some of the big economic development initiatives here – PuebloPlex, Watertower Place, all that’s happening in the energy sector and manufacturing, the new Leonardo da Vinci museum, and exciting cultural and creative industries being drawn downtown and to the Pueblo Riverwalk. I see a great opportunity to get our students and faculty more engaged with businesses and develop a smoother hand-off between graduation and helping students land that first job. That’s how we become more relevant and increase the return on investment (ROI) for students, and ultimately bring more students to CSU Pueblo.

Could you describe your leadership style?

I would describe my leadership style as relationship-based. Relationships are the building blocks of success for any leader, whether those are internal to the university or within the larger community. As a leader, you’ll find me behind the scenes building relationships that will benefit the university and our students. These relationships take time and a lot of energy, but I believe they are fundamental to getting anything done as a leader. With my leadership team, I prefer to plant flags for the big goals and trust my team to come up with ways to get there. I think it’s important for a leader to be constantly learning and to be willing to pivot. I’m always happy to be challenged, and I’m fine with saying, “Okay, we tried this. It didn’t work, so let’s try something else.” Most of my accomplishments are the result of being able to find, motivate, and support those around me to do great things. So, developing strong leaders who will eventually lead this institution after I’m gone is of utmost importance to me. Also, identifying talent at all levels of the institution and cultivating and growing that talent is a critical part of my leadership – because that is our future.  

Given that university campuses will often find a range opinions and priorities when allocating resources, what is your approach for making decisions and building community? 

I can tell you that my north star in decision-making is always to consider what is best for the university. Any president will inevitably be faced with making decisions that are unpopular with some stakeholders. That is because the president has perhaps the only job that must consider the whole, not a particular interest or need at a given time. It’s about protecting the overall health of the institution for the long-term.  I think it is important to listen to many voices, which is why I value the shared governance structure of colleges and universities. It is important to me to respect the decision-making structures of the university and to make sure those who participate have a voice. Listening and being as transparent as possible are key priorities while deciding what is best for the long-term interest of the university. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the CSU Pueblo community? 

I would like the CSU Pueblo community to know that my husband, Myland Pride, and I are excited about moving to Pueblo and joining the Pack!  We love the Southern Colorado region having spent several years in Trinidad, with a lot of travel into the San Luis Valley, Pueblo, and Fremont County. We appreciate the stunning beauty of the landscapes, the recreational opportunities, the food, the history, and most of all, the people. I am looking forward to this new chapter, and the opportunity to meet all members of the university community very soon.