Rico Munn has been named the next chancellor of the Colorado State University System. He will serve as executive vice chancellor until June 30, 2027, when current system chancellor Tony Frank retires.
As chancellor, Munn will be the chief executive officer of the university system, which includes the flagship CSU campus in Fort Collins, CSU Pueblo, and the fully online CSU Global. He will be responsible for the overall management of the system and spearhead government relations on behalf of the system and its campuses.
Munn recently concluded a nearly year-long tenure as interim president of CSU Pueblo. He currently serves as CSU’s vice president for Metro Denver engagement and strategy. Previously, he was chief of staff to CSU President Amy Parsons.
From 2013-2023, Munn was superintendent of Aurora Public Schools, where he oversaw a 25 percent increase in graduation rates, a 50 percent decline in dropout rates, and a 70 percent decline in expulsions. Earlier, Munn served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
“The institutions of the CSU System have an extraordinary legacy of serving Colorado — a legacy I am honored and excited to help carry forward,” said Munn. “During this transition, my focus will be on deepening relationships with stakeholders across the system by listening carefully to the needs of our campuses, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners. I’ll also work to develop a clear-eyed understanding of the external challenges ahead so that our institutions are positioned to respond thoughtfully and strategically on behalf of the state and communities we serve.”
Munn is a graduate of what is now Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, where he majored in secondary education. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law.
