President Joyce McConnell Leaving CSU After Reaching $1.5 Million Agreement

President Joyce McConnell is parting ways with Colorado State University at the end of this month, The Denver Post reports.

McConnell became CSU's 15th (and first female) president in 2019, replacing Dr. Tony Frank, who still serves as Chancellor of the CSU System.

According to the publication, McConnell's choice comes as a mutual decision between her and CSU, which involves a $1.5 million separation agreement. She will also leave her position as a professor with CSU's College of Natural Resources.

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"[CSU] is truly a great, world-class institution with significant statewide and global impact," said McConnell in a statement via The Denver Post. "I thank each of you for making this one of the top universities in the world."

During her tenure, McConnell fought back against a 2019 blackface incident and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she garnered $400 million in research funding and kickstarted the renovation of CSU's Clark Building.

Dr. Frank addressed McConnell's impending departure in his own statement, published by CBS4:

After much deliberation, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System and President Joyce McConnell have decided to part ways and President McConnell will be leaving CSU as of June 30, 2022. The Board thanks President McConnell for her efforts leading the university, particularly during challenging and unprecedented times. The Board wishes President McConnell all the best in her future endeavors.

The Rocky Mountain Collegian, CSU's student newspaper, noted that, per the separation agreement, neither McConnell nor CSU "may make a statement that reflects negatively on the other or speak publicly about the separation except to express gratitude."

CSU is expected to appoint an interim president in the coming days.