After three decades on the Colorado State University Fort Collins campus – even more if you count her years as a student and visits to her father’s faculty office – Cara Neth will be leaving the President’s Office at the end of June. But she won’t be leaving CSU behind. She’s simply transitioning to serve all the campuses within the Colorado State University System.

“I love this job, but it’s good to have a change,” said Neth, who has managed the whole portfolio of communications needs for President Tony Frank as well as a number of other areas for the office. “I consider it a privilege to continue working with Tony  and the System leadership team on some of the really exciting projects CSU is involved with statewide, including the new National Western Center.”

As Frank takes on the responsibilities of full-time chancellor for the CSU System in Denver July 1 and leaves the role of president of the main CSU campus, Neth will join him as Director of Executive Communications. She will work closely with Tiana Nelson, who will be the System’s Director of External Relations.

CSU journalism grad

Neth joined the CSU public relations staff two years after graduating from the journalism department in 1987; she started supporting presidential communications at CSU in 1990, and held the additional role of assistant to the president from 1998 to 2004. Helping to create the Volunteers In Public Schools leave program, serving as publisher of the University magazine, developing employee orientation, and launching traditions like the Fall Address and Picnic, CSU Cares, and the Vietnam Memorial Bridge are among some of her favorite campus memories.

“And of course, there are all the crises. That’s been a big part of my world,” she said.

Ann Claycomb, assistant vice president for strategic and academic communications at West Virginia University, will be joining the President’s Office to spearhead communications for incoming President Joyce McConnell. Her communications staff will include current team members Nik Olsen and Mark Luebker.

“I think it’s great for the university to have a change,” Neth said. “A new team will be able to look at things and see ways to do all of it differently and better.”

Neth’s last day on campus was June 21. As she looks forward to new challenges, she knows there are many things she’ll miss.

“I’ll miss interacting with students, which has been one of the best parts of this job,” Neth said. “I’ll miss my colleagues. And walking up the steps of the Administration Building every morning to this office and its view of the Oval just makes me so aware of our history and grateful for our community.”

And she’ll still be cheering for the Rams.