Dec. 18, 2025
The Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System on Thursday confirmed Dr. Rhonda Epper as the 17th president of CSU Pueblo. Epper will officially begin on March 23, 2026.
“I am truly honored to become part of CSU Pueblo and to make Pueblo my home,” Epper said. “CSU Pueblo has always struck me as a hidden gem, home to a caring community, dedicated faculty and staff, and students who represent the future of Colorado. I look forward to supporting the university’s continued growth and to sharing its powerful story across the state and beyond.”
Epper, who served as president of Trinidad State College in Trinidad, Colo. since June 2019, continued: “Having worked and lived in Southern Colorado, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the pride, resilience, and potential of this community. I’m excited to build strong relationships with Pueblo’s leaders, families, and businesses as we work together to shape a vibrant future for the university and the region it serves.”
At Trinidad State College, Epper led the campus through transformational growth, overseeing a $45 million capital campaign, guiding the college’s renaming, and strengthening regional economic partnerships.
She launched the institution’s first bachelor’s degrees, expanded high-demand workforce programs, stabilized enrollment and finances post-pandemic, and achieved the highest graduation rate gains in Colorado’s community college system.
“I’m happy to offer heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Epper and the CSU Pueblo community. Dr. Epper rose to the top from an outstanding pool of candidates because she brings just the right combination of experience, passion, and knowledge to the role,” said CSU System Chancellor Tony Frank. “I look forward to working with her and believe she will be a great leader for a university that truly deserves someone of her caliber at the helm.”
Epper also has a history of serving the state of Colorado through higher education. Prior to being president at Trinidad State, Epper was provost and vice president for academic affairs at the Community College of Denver, one of several leadership roles she held over many years with the Colorado Community College System. She also served as chief student success and academic affairs officer for the Colorado Department of Higher Education and as a regional director for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
John Fischer, chair of the CSU System Board of Governors, was struck by Epper’s “extraordinary track record” in higher education.
“Her proven ability to secure transformative funding, and commitment to student success and academic innovation position her to advance CSU Pueblo’s mission and impact for years to come,” Fischer said, “After a thorough, national search informed by extensive listening sessions with the community, the Board is confident Dr. Epper is the right leader for CSU Pueblo.”
The Board of Governors announced Epper as the sole finalist for president on Dec. 4, following listening sessions with the CSU Pueblo campus community and a national search in which the 12-person search committee interviewed 12 candidates and brought forward four candidates for interviews with the Board of Governors.
In accordance with Colorado law, there is a mandatory 14-day notice and waiting period following the announcement of a finalist before the Board of Governors can enter into an employment agreement.
Rico Munn, who served as Interim President of CSU Pueblo since February 2025, will return to his role as CSU Fort Collins’ Vice President for Metro Denver Engagement and Strategy as of Jan. 1, 2026. CSU Pueblo Provost Gail Mackin will serve as Interim President until Epper’s start date on March 23, 2026.
Click the following links for Dr. Rhonda Epper’s headshot and CV, and a Q&A with Dr. Epper.
