MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Joyce McConnell, West Virginia University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, will be heading west ahead of next fall.
Colorado State University on Friday announced McConnell as its 15th president and the institution’s first female president. The institution’s Board of Governors and McConnell agreed to a five-year deal.
“CSU is a national leader in higher education, and the achievements of its students, faculty and staff collectively have built a powerful momentum and an upward trajectory of success for generations of Rams to come. I look forward to being a part of that journey with you,” McConnell said in a statement.
“My decision to leave West Virginia and West Virginia University after more than 20 years of service to both the university and the state was not an easy one, but Colorado State University’s mission, values and character presented an irresistible opportunity to lead one of the nation’s great land-grant universities into the future.”
McConnell has served in her current position since July 2014, where she oversaw university budgets, built partnerships and led efforts to improve Title IX education. She also served as dean of WVU’s College of Law.
McConnell will take her new position on July 1. Colorado State University’s current president, Tony Frank, will begin serving as chancellor of the university system the same day.