Presidential Executive in Residence Program

The Presidential Executive in Residence program advances excellence at CSU by bringing in renowned experts who have achieved extraordinary things in a variety of fields. The program engages top professionals in advisory roles for the university and provides direct connections for students, faculty and the community at large. Appointees serve for designated time periods and receive donor-funded stipends for their work with the university.

Carol Spahn

Carol Spahn
Former Peace Corps director Carol Spahn (left) was named as a Presidential Executive in Residence July 2025.
President Parsons named Former Peace Corps director Carol Spahn as a Presidential Executive in Residence in July 2025. Spahn’s work at the Peace Corps began in 1994, when she volunteered as a small business adviser in Romania. For the next 25 years, Spahn has supported underserved communities around the world through various leadership roles at the Peace Corps and other public and private sector organizations. Spahn’s appointment at Colorado State has special significance because of the University’s unique place in Peace Corps history. CSU has been ranked a top Peace Corps producing institution 11 times in the last 20 years, continuing a legacy that began in 1961, when two CSU researchers published a white paper that that led to the creation of the international organization. “Carol embodies the values of courage, adaptability, and service that are core to CSU’s land-grant mission,” CSU President Amy Parsons said. “Having her on campus as a Presidential Executive in Residence will provide our students with an extraordinary opportunity to learn from someone who has not only led through change – but who built her career on embracing it.” Full SOURCE story

Terrell Davis

Colorado State Athletic Director John Weber sits next to Terrel Davis.
Colorado State Athletics Director John Weber talks with Broncos legend, Terrell Davis, the new Presidential Executive in Residence and CSU Athletics Rambassador.

President Amy Parsons named Denver Broncos legend Terrell Davis as a Presidential Executive in Residence at Colorado State in August, 2024.

Davis, a Super Bowl and League MVP, Pro Football Hall of Famer and the man many Coloradoans know as TD, will be at Colorado State in a mentoring and leadership role. Davis will serve as “CSU Athletics Rambassador,” a unique position that will inspire and engage the Athletics Department and the entire CSU community.

Davis will be on the sidelines for home football games, work with student-athletes and coaches across all 16 CSU sports programs, speak to classes, engage with media, attend university events, and work with donors and stakeholders to secure new sources of support.

Since retiring from football, Davis has been active as both a philanthropist and entrepreneur.

Davis said, “I’ve come to understand the history and mission of CSU, I recognize a clear set of shared beliefs – this notion that you can change the world, improve your community and make a difference when you combine talent, creativity, hard work and determination. That resonates with me, and I’m honored to serve as CSU’s Athletics Rambassador.”

Full SOURCE story

Jenny Cavnar

A photo of Jenny Cavnar calling a Colorado State basketball game
Award-winning broadcaster and CSU alum Jenny Cavnar was named the university's first Presidential Executive in Residence in February 2024.
President Amy Parsons named award-winning Major League Baseball (MLB) Broadcaster Jenny Cavnar as CSU’s first Presidential Executive in Residence in February 2024. Cavnar, a CSU alum, entered her 18th season in MLB broadcasting and has been a trailblazer for women in the industry. In 2024, Cavnar marked a milestone of being named the first female primary play-by-play voice in MLB history when the Oakland Athletics announced her as its play-by-play announcer. She previously served 12 years as backup play-by-play announcer, pregame and postgame host and reporter for regional TV coverage for the Colorado Rockies. Cavnar is a five-time Emmy Award winner and was the first woman to win National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Colorado Sportscaster of the Year in 2021. She also made baseball history in 2018 as the first woman in 25 years to call play-by-play for a Major League Baseball game. She was the first female to provide analysis for a series of National League games in the radio booth. In addition to being the backup play-by-play broadcaster, she hosted the Rockies Pregame and Postgame Shows and served as a sideline reporter. Cavnar often can be heard as a voice on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM throughout the regular season and postseason coverage. In addition to her work in baseball, Cavnar calls men’s and women’s college basketball on FS1 and PAC 12 Networks. At CSU, Cavnar double-majored in business and speech communications. Full SOURCE story