It’s been one year since Amy Parsons became the 16th president of Colorado State University.
How quickly time flies.
In the past 12 months, President Parsons has set CSU on a trajectory of building upon its world-class academic and research programs with a renewed focus on student success.
She also has been working to expand CSU’s institutional reach across the country and around the globe, while collaborating with leaders and students on campus to strengthen our democracy. Recently, she completed her Cabinet, a group of leading scholars and experts in their respective fields to help her take CSU to the next level.
Among the students, she’s the people’s president, attending all sorts of student and sporting events, with some of her social media posts going viral.
In celebration of Parsons’ first year as president of CSU, SOURCE has compiled just a few memorable highlights to mark the occasion.
February 2023
President Parsons starts her journey as the 16th president of Colorado State University. The CSU Board of Governors confirmed her as president of the CSU System’s flagship in December 2022. read more
March 2023
President Parsons connects with students at the First Generation Award Celebration in the Lory Student Center. The program is designed to encourage participation in higher education by first-generation college students who have significant financial need and to promote diversity within the university’s student population.
April 2023
May 2023
President Parsons makes opening remarks at a special announcement, where the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CSU leadership and the CSU Board of Governors announced the establishment of the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Centers, one of which will be located at CSU. Participants included U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.
President Parsons makes a visit to the Exploring Colorado Agricultural Systems, where she gave an introductory session with Professor Temple Grandin.
June 2023
July 2023
Play ball! President Parsons throws out the first pitch at the annual Rams at Rockies game at Coors Field.
August 2023
President Parsons and Front Range Community College President Colleen Simpson stop by School is Cool as volunteers to help fill backpacks in support of Poudre School District students.
September 2023
Following her investiture as the 16th president of CSU, President Parsons described her top priorities for the institution in her first Fall Address. The investiture ceremony for Parsons opened with a formal processional down the historic Oval as the CSU Marching Band played. Distinguished CSU faculty, members of the Board of Governors and CSU leaders in academic regalia gathered on stage at the front of the Administration Building. read more
President Parsons speaks at the Warner College of Natural Resources’ grand opening of the Donald and Esther Harbison Research and Education Building at the Colorado State University Mountain Campus.
October 2023
October was a busy month for President Parsons. The month included Homecoming and Family Weekend as well as a large-scale concert by the indie-groove band Goose, the first major concert at CSU in a decade.
Also in October, President Parsons, Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes and Amy Pezzani, CEO of the Food Bank for Larimer County, celebrated C.A.N.S. Around the Oval, CSU’s annual tradition to raise funds and food for the Food Bank of Larimer County.
November 2023
As part of the Year in Democracy, President Parsons moderated a discussion with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, and Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis for “Disagree Better,” a conversation aimed at demonstrating the importance of reaching across the aisle. read more
December 2023
President Parsons takes part in the Warner College of Natural Resources graduation ceremony.
Children from CSU’s Early Childhood Center visit with President Parsons for the holidays and perform a song in the Administration Building.
January 2024
Ram fans showed up in a big way at this year’s edition of the National Western Stock Show. President Parsons took part in CSU Day on Jan. 13, along with the CSU Board of Governors.
Part of the team: President Parsons played a key role in helping the women’s basketball team sell out Moby Arena for the first time in 25 years.