Armando Valdez officially named 16th president of CSU Pueblo

James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
·3 min read

Armando Valdez was unanimously chosen to be the 16th president of Colorado State University Pueblo at a CSU System Board of Governors meeting on Friday, Dec. 15.

Valdez a USDA-Rural Development state director and former member of the CSU Board of Governors, succeeds outgoing President Timothy Mottet, who has led the university since 2017. Valdez will assume the presidency on Feb. 1, 2024.

A national search for CSU Pueblo's next president was launched in August. After the search yielded no viable candidates, Valdez resigned from his position on the CSU Board of Governors to be an eligible candidate for president.

Valdez was named the sole finalist for the presidency on Nov. 30 and was appointed to the position following a state-mandated 14-day waiting period. Valdez will be finishing the remaining 2 ½ years on Mottet's term.

"I actually can't think of anyone who cares more about Southern Colorado than Armando Valdez," said Kenzo Kawanabe, treasurer of the CSU Board of Governors. "He is the right person with the unique skill set to lead the university at this time."

Newly appointed CSU Pueblo President Armando Valdez visits with community members during a "meet-and-greet" on December 15, 2023
Newly appointed CSU Pueblo President Armando Valdez visits with community members during a "meet-and-greet" on December 15, 2023

New president hopes to expand upon CSU Pueblo's current success

Valdez is a native of the San Luis Valley who runs Valdez Land & Livestock, LLC near the town of Capulin with his family. He has over two decades of experience in higher education — most recently at Adams State University.

As president of CSU Pueblo, Valdez said he plans to build upon the university's current successes.

"I want to come in and I want to listen," Valdez told the Chieftain. "I want to learn... I want to see and really absorb the success that CSU Pueblo is experiencing at this moment, and then find out areas where I can support, complement and enhance what's currently happening."

Valdez supports the continuation of 'Vision 2028' — a 10-year initiative that began in 2018 under Mottet's leadership. Vision 2028 seeks to establish CSU Pueblo as the "People's University of the Southwest" by improving the university's accessibility, affordability and community relationships.

Additionally, Valdez said he hopes to "elevate" CSU Pueblo's status as a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution and work in a mutually beneficial relationship with the CSU System's flagship university in Fort Collins.

"They may be the flagship, but we are not going to be just in the shadow of a CSU Fort Collins," he said. "We are going to work as the regional comprehensive, the Hispanic Serving Institution of the of system and assert that role. We each have our roles."

Newly appointed CSU Pueblo president Armando Valdez speaks to faculty, staff and community members in the Occhiato University Center on December 15, 2023.
Newly appointed CSU Pueblo president Armando Valdez speaks to faculty, staff and community members in the Occhiato University Center on December 15, 2023.

Compensation, enrollment among challenges named by Valdez

After being appointed president, Valdez addressed a crowd of CSU Pueblo faculty, staff and community members inside the Occhiato University Center ballroom foyer. He told listeners that he was "not going to dodge" employee concerns about compensation.

"I am very employee centered," Valdez said. "I want to ensure that we are empowering, that we are being supportive and advocating for the opportunities of our employees... How do we find a constructive effort to make (rewarding employees) happen? I am committed to making that happen."

Valdez told the Chieftain that enrollment could be another challenge in coming years for universities across the nation.

"During the Great Recession, back in the 2007-2008 time period — there was a demographic shift," he said. "The birth rate went down. We know we are approaching that traditional college age cliff, so I think we are going to have to be very innovative to see how we serve our communities."

"What do we look at in terms of providing certificate programs, stackable credentials — ways that individuals that are working and maybe non-traditional are finding success and finding support in a college environment?" he said.

More about Valdez: Armando Valdez named sole finalist to replace Timothy Mottet as CSU Pueblo president

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Armando Valdez named 16th president of CSU Pueblo