Leadership Fellows Program
The Leadership Fellows Program is a professional development opportunity designed to help participants strengthen their leadership skills, enhance their understanding of higher education, and gain experience that will benefit them in their current and future positions. Each Fellow works closely with a senior mentor to complete a time-intensive project in a specific area of focus. During the academic year, the program aims to provide fellows with new skills while completing a university-wide project with peers and administrators, a deeper understanding of university administration, engagement and learning opportunities with administrative leadership, interactions with past and present Fellows increasing their internal CSU network across unit boundaries and an enhancement of their own leadership skills that will benefit their current and future positions. The Leadership Fellows Program launched in Summer 2021 with the initial cohort comprised of eight fellows placed in six leadership offices. Since its launch, 28 fellows have been selected in the first three years of the program.
2023-2024 Leadership Fellows
Sarah Badding
Operations and Academics Administrator, Nancy Richardson Design Center
Marissa Dienstag
Associate Director, Engagement, University Advancement
Tom Dunn
Associate Professor, Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Jennifer Martin
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Rob Mitchell
Professor, Management Department, College of Busines
Heather Reimer
Associate Director, Departments of Central Receiving
Coronda Ziegler
Senior Student Success Manager, Office of the Provost
Sarah Badding
Operations and Academics Administrator, Nancy Richardson Design Center
Pronouns: she/her
Project: Climate Initiatives- Curriculum
Mentor: EVP Rick Miranda
Bio: Sarah Badding serves as the Operations and Academics Administrator for the Nancy Richardson Design Center (RDC), in the College of Health and Human Sciences. She promotes design thinking and interdisciplinary collaborations among the CSU community to change the way we understand, create, partner, and solve problems the world faces today. Leading the RDC in both design thinking programing and operations, Sarah teaches and oversees design center workshops, classes, certificates, and executive education programming. She also manages the center’s planning and organizing of financial, human, and inventory resources. Sarah earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Design and Organizational Development from CSU. Outside work, she loves spending time with her husband and son playing in the backyard, at the park, or traveling the outdoors.
Marissa Dienstag
Associate Director of University Events and Ceremonies, University Advancement
Pronouns: she/her
Project: Thematic Year – Democracy
Mentor: Dean Ben Withers
Bio: With over a decade of being a part of higher education institutions, Marissa Dienstag has experience working in both the Student Affairs and University Advancement departments. She currently serves at the Associate Director for University Events and Ceremonies. In addition, Marissa is the adviser to the Colorado State University Presidential Ambassadors and is able to showcase her passion for student development while highlighting the positive impact of private giving through student engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and master’s degrees from both The Ohio State University and Colorado State University. Outside of work she enjoys theatre, kayaking, traveling and the outdoors.
Tom Dunn
Associate Professor, Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts
Pronouns: he/him
Project: WICHE Academy for Leaders in the Humanities
Mentor: Dr. Greg Dickenson
Bio: Thomas R. Dunn (Tom) is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies, a Monfort Professor, and the founder and director of the Queer Memory Project of Northern Colorado, an educational and community-based project to preserve and share the LGBTQ+ past of Northern Colorado. He joined the CSU faculty in Fall 2012. Tom is an award-winning teacher who offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate classes in the history, theory, and criticism of rhetoric as well as courses focused on LGBT+ and queer rhetoric. He is also a highly sought graduate adviser and mentor. Tom’s award-winning research investigates how LGBTQ people use shared tellings of their past to advocate for social, political, and cultural change in the present. He published his first book, Queerly Remembered: Rhetorics for the Representing the GLBTQ Past, in 2016 and is at work on a second book on how memories of homosexual persecution by the Nazis influenced U.S.-American gay and lesbian rights political discourse before HIV/AIDS. His writing appears in numerous academic venues as well as in public-facing outlets like the Denver Post. He has served in several past leadership roles since his arrival on campus, including as Director of SPCM 200 (Public Speaking) and leader of the Master Teacher Initiative in the College of Liberal Arts. He is currently part of the first cohort of participants in the WICHE Academy for Leaders in the Humanities program, which is supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation. In his down time, Tom enjoys cooking, traveling, soaking up LGBTQ+ culture, and spending quality time with his husband and daughter.
Jennifer Martin
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Project: Budget Model
Mentor: EVP Rick Miranda
Bio: Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor in Meat Safety and Quality. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining the Colorado State University faculty in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer has an active research program focusing on the quality and safety of meat and related products. Martin’s program specifically seeks to explore opportunities and the development of solutions with and for industry stakeholders. In addition to research, Jennifer works closely with the stakeholders in the meat and livestock sectors across Colorado and nation. Jennifer also serves as the co-leader for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development and innovative educational program within the College of Agricultural Sciences which seeks to provide novel career pathways for the agri-food industries. She also plays an active role in on campus programs, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, and numerous Department and University committees.
Rob Mitchell
Professor, Management Department, College of Business
Project: Budget Model
Mentor: EVP Rick Miranda
Bio: Robert (Rob) Mitchell, Ph.D. is a Professor at Colorado State University and an Adjunct Research Professor at the Ivey School of Business. He completed his doctoral studies in entrepreneurship and strategic management at the Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana. Before pursuing his Ph.D. at Indiana University, Professor Mitchell worked in a technology startup in Salt Lake City, Utah and was involved in emerging enterprise consulting in Victoria, British Columbia. Professor Mitchell’s research interests bridge entrepreneurship, strategic management and history. In his research, he adopts a socially-situated cognition perspective to understand how the creation of new value can occur in new and existing firms. Professor Mitchell is the recipient of the NFIB Best Dissertation Award from the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management. His research has been published in journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Business Venturing, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journaland Strategic Management Journal, among others.
Heather Reimer
Associate Director, Departments of Central Receiving
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Leadership Fellows Program
Mentor: EVP Rick Miranda
Bio: Heather Reimer is the Associate Director at the Departments of Central Receiving at Colorado State University. For the past seven years, Heather has led a staff of 25 colleagues, who through their stewardship and commitment to excellence deliver reliable and diverse solutions to CSU in logistics and operational programs. With nearly 30 years’ experience in corporate, non-profit, and higher education management, her greatest joy is developing people. Heather believes it is imperative to engage with colleagues where their unique qualities and talents are highlighted, enabling them to reach their most fulfilling professional aspirations. In 2019, Heather received the AP Star Award for her commitment and work in alternative transportation, including managing The Spoke, an on-campus educational bike shop. She also serves on numerous boards and committees including industry organizations Association of Rocky Mountain College and University Mail Services and University Logistics and Supply Chain Association, campus committees Campus Bicycle Advisory Board and Rams Police Advisory Board. Heather enjoys living on her urban farm with her husband, Nathan, where they have two dogs, three cats, and many flocked friends. You also might find her hiking, biking, or enjoying their tiny home near Pike National Forest.
Coronda Ziegler
Senior Student Success Manager, Office of the Provost
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Project: National Institute for Student Success
Mentor: Vice Provost Laura Jensen
Bio: Dr. Coronda Ziegler (she/her/hers) is a dedicated and accomplished Senior Student Success Manager, supporting university-wide student success efforts while advocating for equitable outcomes. With an extensive background in various facets of higher education, including Admissions, Orientation, Student Conduct, Student Leadership, Instruction, and Advising, Coronda’s expertise and passion create a meaningful impact on the lives of students. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, and a Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies, Coronda possesses a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience. As an adjunct professor in the School of Education, she shares her insights with the next generation of organizational leaders in the Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change degree program. Throughout her career, Coronda has actively collaborated with educational and nonprofit institutions, cultivating inclusive and equitable cultures that nurture the potential of every individual. With over two decades of experience in driving organizational change, she has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and coach, providing invaluable guidance to executive leaders, middle managers, and client-facing staff. Her expertise extends to diverse areas, such as organizational change, scenario planning, diversity, equity, and inclusion, learning and development, employee experience, and leadership and team development. Coronda is committed to student success, equity in education, and fostering organizational environments that deliver on their mission.
2022-2023 Leadership Fellows
Emily Ambrose
Assistant Director for Training & Development, Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement, Lory Student Center
Timothy R. Amidon
Associate Professor, Department of English, Colorado State University; Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health
Sarah Badding
Operations and Academics Administrator, Nancy Richardson Design Center
BreeAnn Brandhagen
Senior Research Development Associate, Research Acceleration Office, Office of the Vice President for Research
Lucia Delgado
Director of College Access, The Access Center
Marissa Dienstag
Associate Director, Engagement, University Advancement
Meara Faw
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Jennifer Martin
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Susan Matthews
Deputy Director, Colorado State Forest Service, Warner College of Natural Resources
John McGuire
Associate Professor, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Kelly McKenna
Associate Professor, School of Education – Adult Education and Training Program
Heather Reimer
Associate Director, Departments of Central Receiving
Courtney Schultz
Department: Associate Professor, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Warner College of Natural Resources
Emily Ambrose
Assistant Director for Training & Development, Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement, Lory Student Center
Pronouns: she/hers
Project: Performance Management
Mentor: Robyn Fergus
Bio: Emily Ambrose, M.S. (she/hers), has dedicated over 15 years of her professional career and personal life to leadership development, training, facilitation, diversity, inclusion, and equity work. With a passion for making the sometimes taboo topics accessible and relatable to all, Emily has worked closely with non-profits, companies, and presented at conferences on how to shift work culture and infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion into the workplace. Currently and for over 14 years, Emily has been working for the Lory Student Center and the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement, as well as teaching for the President’s Leadership Program and the Key Plus program. She also serves as a facilitator for the Division for Inclusive Excellence. She also found home in the Grand Canyon working as a guide for Arizona Raft Adventures during the summer. Emily has a BA degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder in Communication and LGBT Studies and an MS from Colorado State University – Fort Collins in Higher Education Administration. Emily enjoys paddleboarding, audiobooks, her four furbabies and partner, and her extensive community in Fort Collins and beyond.
Timothy R. Amidon
Associate Professor, Department of English, Colorado State University; Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health
Pronouns: he, him, his
Project: Scientific and Medical Communications
Mentor: Alan Rudolph
Bio: im Amidon is an associate professor of digital rhetoric in the English Department and the Colorado School of Public Health at CSU. His research, which explores the relationships between technologies, design, literacies, and risk, has appeared in venues such as Communication Design Quarterly, Journal of Business and Technical Communication, and Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy. He also serves as the program director for the M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change and the B.A. English concentration in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses that focus on digital rhetorics, scientific and technical communication, writing as a technology, and multiliteracies. He earned a dual B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Rhode Island, a M.A. in English from Purdue University Fort Wayne, and a Ph.D. in English with a Specialization in Rhetoric and Composition from the University of Rhode Island. Beyond campus, he serves in national and international organizations in his field, serves as a co-editor of a peer-refereed journal that publishes born-digital scholarship, and volunteers in the local community. He also enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with his wife Erin, son Cole, and their two dogs.
Sarah Badding
Operations and Academics Administrator, Nancy Richardson Design Center
Pronouns: she/hers
Project: Strategic Planning and Culture Change
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: Sarah Badding serves as the Operations and Academics Administrator for the Nancy Richardson Design Center (RDC), in the College of Health and Human Sciences. She promotes design thinking and interdisciplinary collaborations among the CSU community to change the way we understand, create, partner, and solve problems the world faces today. Leading the RDC in both design thinking programing and operations, Sarah teaches and oversees design center workshops, classes, certificates, and executive education programming. She also manages the center’s planning and organizing of financial, human, and inventory resources. Sarah earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Design and Organizational Development from CSU. Outside work, she loves spending time with her husband and son playing in the backyard, at the park, or traveling the outdoors.
BreeAnn Brandhagen
Senior Research Development Associate, Research Acceleration Office, Office of the Vice President for Research
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Project: Strategic Planning and Culture Change
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: BreeAnn is an experienced Program Manager and Research Development Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She has over eight years of experience in academic research development and program management across two land grant institutions. Currently with the Research Acceleration Office she serves the entire research enterprise of CSU, with a focus on faculty career development, interdisciplinary team facilitation, and the development of globally impactful research initiatives.
Lucia Delgado
Director of College Access, The Access Center
Pronouns: she, her, ella
Project: Attaining Hispanic-Serving Institution Status
Mentor: Shannon Archibeque-Engle
Bio: In my role as the Director of College Access at Colorado State University, I believe and advocate for Educational Equity and Equality for first-generation and limited-income individuals. I value the richness of each person and am honored to serve as a mentor to students at various levels of their educational journey. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in Journalism and Political Science and a Master of Science degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) from CSU. I am currently in my Ph.D program at CSU studying Organizational Learning, Performance and Change, and look forward to creating systemic change through the work as the Hispanic Serving Institutions Fellows for CSU.
Marissa Dienstag
Associate Director, Engagement, University Advancement
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Professional and Leadership Development
Mentor: Benjamin Withers
Bio: With over a decade of being a part of higher education institutions, Marissa Dienstag has experience working in both the Student Affairs and University Advancement departments. She currently serves at the Associate Director for University Events and Ceremonies. In addition, Marissa is the adviser to the Colorado State University Presidential Ambassadors and is able to showcase her passion for student development while highlighting the positive impact of private giving through student engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Outside of work she loves spending time with her partner, and enjoys theatre, kayaking, traveling and the outdoors.
Meara Faw
Associate Professor, Communication Studies
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: NSF ADVANCE @ CSU and Faculty Success
Mentor: Susan James
Bio: Meara Faw is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies whose research and teaching focus on how communication in close relationships affects our health and well-being. She is a mixed-methods researcher with extensive expertise in social support, conflict management, and caregiving communication, and she serves as an affiliate faculty member and area lead for the Health Communication concentration in the School of Public Health. Since joining CSU in 2017, Meara has received several awards for her research, teaching, and service, including being named the 2021-2022 Provost Award for Faculty Excellence Teaching Scholar. Outside of work, Meara enjoys reading, hiking, listening to podcasts, and traveling with her husband and golden retrievers.
Jennifer Martin
Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Strategic Planning and Culture Change
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor in Meat Safety and Quality. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining the Colorado State University faculty in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer has an active research program focusing on the quality and safety of meat and related products. Martin’s program specifically seeks to explore opportunities and the development of solutions with and for industry stakeholders. In addition to research, Jennifer works closely with the stakeholders in the meat and livestock sectors across Colorado and nation. Jennifer also serves as the co-leader for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development and innovative educational program within the College of Agricultural Sciences which seeks to provide novel career pathways for the agri-food industries. She also plays an active role in on campus programs, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, and numerous Department and University committees.
Susan Matthews
Deputy Director, Colorado State Forest Service, Warner College of Natural Resources
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Institutional Accreditation
Mentor: Jan Nerger
Bio: Susan Matthews is the Deputy Director of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) a department within the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. She joined the CSFS in 2014 and has overseen agency programs and staff in several Associate Director positions before becoming Deputy Director. Matthews joined CSU after working for the USDA Forest Service for over 30 years in leadership positions in Idaho, Montana, California, North Carolina and Florida. Her six years of service on the Society of American Foresters Committee on Accreditation, most recently as Committee Chair, provided valuable insight into program accreditation. Susan and her husband enjoy exploring new destinations, visiting their adult children, and spending time outdoors.
John McGuire
Associate Professor, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Pronouns: he, him
Project: Employee Health & Well-being
Mentor: Robyn Fergus
Bio: Dr. John McGuire has a vast array of performance and teaching experiences. He has performed with many orchestras around the world, most notably the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, the Fort Worth Symphony, the New World Symphony in Miami, FL, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. John has also toured internationally with the acclaimed Fortress Brass Quintet, of which he is a founding member.
As a soloist he was awarded the title “Yamaha Young Artist,” has been a finalist in the American Horn Competition and has appeared as a guest artist at many workshops, festivals and schools across the world. With several world-premiere performances to his credit, John is a passionate proponent for the creation of new solo horn literature as well as a sought-after contemporary music performer. His 2020 album “Lines At Dusk” can be found on the Novello Records label.
John currently serves as Associate Professor of Horn at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. His major professors were Charles “Skip” Snead, William Capps and Dale Clevenger.
Kelly McKenna
Associate Professor, School of Education – Adult Education and Training Program
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Performance Management
Mentor: Robyn Fergus
Bio: Dr. Kelly McKenna is an associate professor in the Adult Education and Training Graduate Program in the School of Education. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Technology and earned a master’s degree in Education and Human Resource Studies with a specialization in Adult Education and Training. Dr. McKenna is a Global Teaching Scholar, whose teaching experience includes face-to-face, hybrid, and online instruction. Her research interests lie in the field of adult and higher education, with research objectives aimed to support adult learners in their educational and occupational endeavors by creating optimal learning environments and facilitating successful student experiences. She focuses on distance education with attention to technology enhanced teaching and learning and online learning communities.
Heather Reimer
Associate Director, Departments of Central Receiving
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Professional and Leadership Development
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: Heather Reimer is the Associate Director at the Departments of Central Receiving. For the past five years, Heather has led a staff of 25 colleagues, who through their stewardship and commitment to excellence deliver reliable and diverse solutions to CSU in logistics and operational programs. With over 20 years’ experience in corporate, non-profit, and higher education management, her greatest joy is developing people. Heather believes it is imperative to engage with colleagues where their unique qualities and talents are highlighted, enabling them to reach their most fulfilling professional aspirations. In 2019, Heather received the AP Star Award for her commitment and work in alternative transportation, including managing The Spoke, an on-campus educational bike shop. Heather enjoys living on her urban farm with her husband, Nathan, where they have two dogs, a cat, and many flocked friends. You also might find her hiking, biking, or enjoying their tiny home near Pike National Forest.
Courtney Schultz
Associate Professor, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Warner College of Natural Resources
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Project: Climate Change Project Analysis
Mentor: Alan Rudolph
Bio: Courtney Schultz is an associate professor of forest and natural resource policy in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. She studies fire management, collaborative forest restoration, and climate adaptation on US forestlands. Her research group, the Public Lands Policy Group, is dedicated to applied research on federal policy changes affecting public lands. She has written articles on forest and fire management for Science and The Conversation and testified before Congress on forest management and climate change. She directs the CSU Climate Adaptation Partnership, an interdisciplinary group of researchers and center leaders working to develop innovative research and support scientist-policymaker communication about the challenges of living with climate change in arid regions like the US West. In her free time, Courtney loves to cook, garden, and spend time outside. She is an avid naturalist and loves hiking, stargazing, birding, and landscape painting. Every few years, she visits East Africa, where she runs a small non-profit that supports low-income, rural kids in attending high school and college.
2021-2022 Leadership Fellows
Erika Benti
Transportation Professional, Parking and Transportation Services
Allison Cantwell
Associate Director of Research, Institute for Research in Social Sciences
Sonali Diddi
Associate Professor, Department of Design and Merchandising; Core Affiliate Faculty Member, School of Global Environmental Sustainability
Andrea Duffy
Assistant Vice Provost, Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President
Emma Eckley
Developer, Student Information Systems Team, Information Systems Department
Amber Krummel
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, and CSU Monfort Professor
Scott Shrake
Assistant Vice President for Strategy, Office of the President; Director, Institute for Entrepreneurship, College of Business
Elizabeth Sink
Master Teaching Instructor, Communication Studies Department, College of Liberal Arts
Erika Benti
Transportation Professional, Parking and Transportation Services
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Project: Internal Communications
Mentor: Yolanda Bevill
Bio: Erika Benti is an active transportation professional with CSU Parking and Transportation Services. For the past four years she has worked connecting students to sustainable transportation options and working with an amazing team to develop innovative safety, education and encouragement programs at CSU, including the President’s Vision Zero Task Force, Rams Ride Right and CSU Moves. A proud CSU graduate (’07), Erika has 11 years of experience in the field of transportation demand management in Portland, Denver, Los Angeles and now Fort Collins. She currently serves as president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association for Commuter Transportation. She loves spending time outdoors with husband Matt and two-year-old son, Charlie.
Allison Cantwell
Associate Director of Research, Institute for Research in Social Sciences
Project: Strategic Transformation and Planning
Mentor: Alan Rudolph
Bio: Allison M. Cantwell is associate director of research for the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRISS) and faculty affiliate in the Department of Sociology at CSU. She joined IRISS in 2019 and has collaborated with a number of faculty, staff, graduate students, and community partners to design and implement data collection and analysis for actionable recommendations. Cantwell joined CSU after seven years at the University of California where she most recently served as Assistant Vice Chancellor of Institutional Research at UC, Riverside. Her career in higher education has focused on leveraging data to tell stories in support of strategic decision-making, program improvement, and student success.
Sonali Diddi
Associate Professor, Department of Design and Merchandising; Core Affiliate Faculty Member, School of Global Environmental Sustainability
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Project: Community Development
Mentor: Blake Naughton
Bio: Sonali Diddi is an associate professor in the Department of Design and Merchandising and core faculty in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. Her research focuses on sustainable clothing production and consumption. Her research-based, interdisciplinary, and systems thinking-informed approach to sustainability-related issues in the textiles and apparel industry recognizes its ever-changing dimensions in an increasingly diverse and challenged society and global economy. Sonali seeks ways to engage with the local community to gain a sense of the broader relevance of her research. She was an expert consultant for BBC Radio (UK), New York Academy of Sciences and invited international speaker for numerous events. Outside work, Sonali enjoys cooking and sharing it with family and friends.
Andrea Duffy
Assistant Vice Provost
Project: Strategic Planning
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: Andrea Duffy joined the CSU faculty in Fall 2010 and served as director of International Studies from 2013-2021, when she accepted a Fellowship in the Office of the President working on the university’s Courageous Strategic Transformation. She is currently assistant vice provost in the Office of the Provost, focused on key initiatives including the Academic Master Plan and the Student Success Initiative.
Andrea holds a B.A. in Modern European History from Princeton University and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University with specializations in European, Middle Eastern, Ottoman, and environmental histories. She has studied nearly a dozen languages, has lived in France and Turkey, and has visited more than 30 countries across five continents. She has a thirst for knowledge, curiosity about the wider world, and passion for international experiences and intercultural interaction. She continues to learn and to travel whenever she can. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and ultra-running.
Emma Eckley
Developer, Student Information Systems Team, Information Systems Department
Project: IT Strategic Planning
Mentor: Brandon Bernier
Bio: Emma Eckley is a developer on the Student Information Systems team within the Division of IT. Since 2019, she has supported the Joint Banner Project to integrate student systems and IT-supported business processes between CSU-Fort Collins and CSU-Pueblo. Emma earned her bachelor’s in wildlife biology and master’s in computer information systems from CSU. She began her career in Geographic Information Systems, before transitioning to her current role. Emma is an avid backpacker of the Gore Range and spends many weekends exploring its alpine lakes with her husband. She is learning to hunt and is excited to support her protein diet from sources provided by the land. Emma also enjoys experimenting with plant-based recipes.
Amber Krummel
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, and CSU Monfort Professor
Project: Strategic Transformation and Planning
Mentor: Alan Rudolph
Bio: Amber Krummel is an associate professor of chemistry and associate chair of operations in the Chemistry Department. Her research focuses on interrogating chemical structures and dynamics in complex environments, using nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy and imaging techniques, applying ultrafast laser development, nonlinear spectroscopy and microscopy to address questions in biology and materials science. Krummel is a Monfort Professor whose work has been recognized nationally, including the Sloan Research Fellowship, NSF CAREER Award, and DOE Early Career Award. She teaches courses spanning introductory chemistry to upper-level graduate courses in physical chemistry and spectroscopy. Outside work, she serves on national and international executive committees in her field and maintains industrial partnerships within the energy industry.
Scott Shrake
Assistant Vice President for Strategy, Office of the President; Director, Institute for Entrepreneurship, College of Business
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Project: Strategic Planning
Mentor: Jenelle Beavers
Bio: Scott Shrake serves as executive director of CSU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, business development, and commercialization for students, faculty, and community members across Northern Colorado. He also oversees the College of Business executive education program, helping create cutting-edge programing in areas where CSU is world class. In the classroom, he serves as an affiliate faculty member for the Richardson Design Center, teaching introductory and capstone courses in Design Thinking. Scott earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh’s Sustainability and Green Design Group. Outside work, Scott enjoys biking the Colorado mountains or spending time outdoors with his wife and their dogs.
Elizabeth Sink
Master Teaching Instructor, Communication Studies Department, College of Liberal Arts
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Project: Basic Needs & Food Insecurity
Mentor: Blanche Hughes
Bio: Elizabeth Sink is a master teaching faculty in Communication Studies with a passion for facilitating healthy engagement across diverse identities. She has taught at CSU since 2004. Elizabeth’s teaching practice strives to promote investigation of one’s own cultural identity, to develop communication-based competencies, and to advance students’ motivation for effective positive involvement in communities. Her scholarship and curriculum-development advances inclusive communication and practical engagement between people who orient differently around religious and non-religious beliefs. Elizabeth and family also enjoy backpacking and camping. She is a dog-person who enjoys deep breaths, traveling, rock painting, water sports, microwavable slippers (for her forever-cold toes), bluegrass music and acapella singing at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.