CSU Chancellor Tony Frank has announced that he will retire June 30, 2027. In December, the CSU System Board of Governors decided to start the search for a new chancellor to provide a clear succession plan well in advance of Frank’s retirement. This ensures that the System and its campuses are positioned to move forward with minimal disruption and with a clear focus on the System’s priorities and goals, as established by the Board of Governors.
An internal search was used by the CSU System Board to ensure continuity in key relations at a time when funding challenges are at the forefront, to maintain momentum around critical objectives, and to build on the progress already underway while still bringing new energy and vision to the role. The Board was confident in the quality of the internal pool and felt it was both prudent and strategic to first determine whether a highly qualified candidate — one who is already familiar with our state, institutions, and culture — would be ready to lead as the next chancellor before embarking on a national search.
The chancellor is the CEO of the CSU System, which includes three campuses – the flagship CSU campus in Fort Collins, led by President Amy Parsons; CSU Pueblo, where Dr. Rhonda Epper was recently named president; and the fully online CSU Global, where Audra Spicer serves as interim president. The chancellor works closely with the Board of Governors on overall leadership and management of the CSU System, based in Denver, while also spearheading government relations on behalf of the System and its campuses.
Rico Munn is a proven leader, committed to the CSU System, who also brings a strong statewide network and experience at all levels of government relations. In assessing the necessary characteristics needed for the next chancellor, the Board determined that Munn was uniquely qualified for the role. His experience includes serving as the state’s top higher education officer, a longtime superintendent of one of the state’s largest and most diverse school districts (2019 Colorado Superintendent of the Year), past chair of a governing board of a public university system, interim president of a public university campus, and chief of staff at an R1 university campus – all on top of a successful legal career. Munn’s full CV is available here.
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. The Board announced Munn as the sole finalist on February 6, 2026.
Munn’s contract and broader transition plan will be negotiated following the two-week waiting period and formalization of the selection by the Board.