Pueblo, Co – Colorado State University Pueblo is navigating a leadership transition after President Armando Valdez resigned last week, following the results of an independent investigation that found he had violated university policy. The CSU System Board of Governors confirmed Valdez’s resignation in a press release, stating that, despite his disagreement with the findings, the president had lost the confidence of the Board and the system leadership. Valdez’s decision to step down was described as an effort to allow the university to move forward without further disruption.
Valdez, who assumed the presidency in late 2023 to complete the term of his predecessor, Timothy Mottet, had served just over a year in the role. Mottet resigned after seven years as president. Before his appointment, Valdez had been a member of the CSU Board of Governors, resigning from his seat to apply for the presidency in 2023. A nationwide search for a new leader had initially failed to identify a viable candidate, leading the Board to select Valdez after a second round of interviews.
Despite his relatively brief tenure, Valdez’s resignation adds to the growing list of higher education leadership changes. In recent years, the role of college and university president has become increasingly volatile. According to a 2023 study, the average length of time presidents remain in office has dropped to 5.9 years, down from 8.5 years in 2006. As challenges such as financial instability, political pressures, and the changing landscape of higher education continue to mount, the position of university president has become more demanding than ever.
In light of Valdez’s resignation, the CSU System Board of Governors has appointed Rico Munn as interim president. Munn, a former superintendent of Aurora Public Schools and former executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role. He is also familiar with the university system, having served as CSU’s Vice President for Metro Denver Engagement and as the past chair of the CSU Board of Governors.
Board Chair John Fischer expressed confidence in Munn’s ability to guide CSU Pueblo during this transitional period, emphasizing his understanding of the university’s mission and his leadership skills.
“The challenges facing higher education today require strong leadership, and we are confident that Rico Munn’s experience and insight will help steer CSU Pueblo through this time of change,” Fischer said.
The CSU Board of Governors has not yet outlined the next steps in their search for a permanent president, but the process is expected to be detailed at a later date. With the current climate for university presidential searches as challenging as ever, recruiting a permanent leader for the institution will not be an easy task. The ongoing trend of high turnover among university presidents is reflective of the broader challenges facing higher education in the U.S. today, according to experts.
As CSU Pueblo looks toward the future, the university community awaits further updates on the search for permanent leadership and how it will adapt to this new chapter under interim leadership.
