The Boards of Trustees has announced the finalists to be the next president of Colorado Mesa University (CMU): Mr. John Marshall, Dr. Abel Chavez and Dr. Mirta Martin.
Their full resumes can be read here:
Here is a quick look at the candidates:
Marshall
Marshall has been the Vice President for Student Services at CMU since 2008, before becoming the COVID-19 Response and Planning Principal in 2020 when the pandemic began.
Marshall earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from CMU and a Master of Public Administration from CU Denver. Among his other various positions he’s served at CMU, he also was an Instructor of Political Science from 2008-2020.
Chavez
Chavez is currently the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success at Western Colorado University, as well as the Dean for the School of Graduate Students.
Chavez earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from CU Denver, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business and a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental and Civil Engineering from the University of Denver. He also has an Associate of Science degree from Front Range Community College.
Martin
Martin is currently the President of Fairmont State University. She also was the Senior Education Adviser to former Mexican President Vicente Fox and to Centro Fox, from 2017 through 2019.
Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Duke University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond. She also earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
“The Board of Trustees created a Presidential Search Committee comprised of trustees, faculty and students,” CMU Public Relations Director David Ludlam said. “The committee worked to launch and advertise the national search. Once applications were submitted, the committee reviewed and rank ordered the candidates.”
The President helps set university culture, and will have a significant impact on the daily lives of students.
“The President of CMU sets priorities in terms of budget, focus and culture. The Presidents’ priorities can manifest through processes like the long-range planning and or strategic planning initiative that will occur in the coming year or so,” Ludlam said.
The next president will be announced in May.
