Colorado Mesa University is made up of go-getters, movers and shakers. The campus culture is based on the common belief that higher education is a pathway to a better future. With a students-first mentality, faculty and staff dedicate their time and talents to help shape and prepare today's students to be tomorrow's leaders. To do that, dynamic, healthy organizations evolve and change as do the people within them. With news of an exciting new senior leadership team, CMU is more prepared than ever to kick off the Fall 2021 semester.
After conducting a national search, Colorado Mesa University President Marshall announced that respected community leader Robin Brown will join CMU as Vice President of Development and CMU Foundation CEO.
"Robin is a proven leader with vast experience building and guiding dynamic teams and advancing strategic goals. From her work serving as the executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership to leading a major capital campaign for The Historic Avalon Theatre, we're thrilled to have Robin join the team and look forward to watching her thrive in her new role," said President Marshall.
Robin's experience managing economic development and fundraising initiatives will serve CMU and the CMU Foundation well. She knows the culture of western Colorado and loves calling Grand Junction home.
“The diversification we’ve seen in our economy over the last five years is a direct result of the growth of CMU programs and partnerships with our local industries. Growing CMU is the best economic development investment we can make as a community. I’m excited to continue my work making sure everyone knows Grand Junction is leading the charge across sectors, a big one being higher education,” said incoming-CMU Vice President of Development and CMU Foundation CEO Robin Brown.
Her experience planning and managing events for the Downtown Development Authority, promoting western Colorado through the launch of Spoke+Blossom magazine and eight years serving our country in the US Army, proves her ability to create and foster strong relationships built on a common vision. Robin will officially begin her role on September 1.
Those who have been immersed in the campus community know Jody Diers. Jody dedicated the last seven years to making sure students felt safe and welcome in her previous role as the director of residence life. Her great work continues as she becomes the next Vice President for Student Services.
"If you've met Jody, you know she's going to do whatever it takes to ensure our students are healthy, happy and that they are prepped and ready for the future. She's perfect for the position and we're excited that she is continuing the important work she started," said President Marshall.
Jody will provide leadership, management and administrative direction for the university's comprehensive student services division. She will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to continue the great work occurring across campus to support and serve students both inside and outside the classroom. Prior to CMU, she was a local high school principal in Mesa County Valley School District 51. She has a deep passion for students, creating community and is well-versed in tackling the many challenges the face our diverse campus.
Kim Medina joined the CMU team as the assistant vice president for enrollment management (AVPEM) in early July. Kim brings with her the knowledge and experience that comes with a distinguished career spent in higher education. She's worked at a range of institutions in Colorado growing enrollment and improving the student experience. As the AVPEM, Kim will oversee the Admissions Office and report to Vice President for Student Services Jody Diers. Additionally, Kim will leverage her broad experience to help CMU's ongoing work to improve enrollment management efforts to attract and retain students. This is a homecoming for Kim, who began her career with CMU years ago. We are grateful for her timely return.
Nationally recognized for her work during the pandemic, Dr. Amy Bronson will serve in Academic Affairs as the assistant vice president for research and innovation while continuing to lead the Physician Assistant program and CMU's Infectious and
Communicable Disease Committee. As committee chair, she will lead the university's ongoing COVID-19 response and work with community partners and the Broad Institute to continue building on our Safe Together, Strong Together plan.
"Early on in the pandemic I was tasked with a number of responsibilities. As a campus we had to be innovative and resourceful and because of that work we were able to be keep campus open, safely," said Dr. Bronson. "This institution believes in its people, and I am honored to continue pushing this campus forward through innovation, research and collaboration."
In all the excitement it's not lost on the management team that one of their members is moving on to serve a purpose close to his heart. After serving CMU for 16 years, including the past four as executive director for marketing and communications, Mike Mansheim announced that his last day at CMU will be August 27.
"Mike's creativity, leadership and determination has been integral to CMU's growth and evolution. Mike has always given 110% in everything he does, and he will be greatly missed. But where he is heading is just another example of how CMU and the individuals who work here give back to the larger community," said President Marshall.
Mike has served in a volunteer capacity with a variety of non-profits through his tenure at CMU, including the Colorado Health Network, which since 1983 has sought to innovatively meet the evolving needs of Coloradans living with and at risk of acquiring HIV and other health conditions. Mike's deep belief in giving back to the community spans a variety of areas but he's always been a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community and a big supporter of healthcare initiatives. Mike will remain in Grand Junction as the regional director for the Colorado Health Network.
The leadership team is actively preparing for the start of the Fall 2021 semester and is looking forward to a promising school year.