Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper recently appointed Wendell Lorenzo Pryor of Salida and Denver and Michele J. Lueck of Englewood to the Board of Trustees for Adams State University. Pryor will assume the position held by Mary K. Griffin, for a term expiring December 31, 2016 and Lueck assumes the position held by Valentin "Val" Vigil, for a term expiring December 31, 2019. Griffin and Vigil resigned early in the academic year.
"Both of these new trustees bring very relevant experiences to Adams State that both complement our mission and will further our success," said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure.
The Board of Trustees for Adams State University makes policy for the school and oversees its operation.
Pryor believes his experience in higher education as an adjunct professor/lecturer/senior fellow will allow him to better understand the challenges the Adams State is facing. "In addition, with regard to workforce development, my experience in economic development and human resources can assist in the identification of career pathways for students to gain employment in emerging industries such as unmanned aerial systems and vehicles, agriculture, and technology. Also, I have advocated for un-served and underserved populations and promoted entrepreneurship, which are areas of awareness and opportunity for the university."
As a parent, health care expert, and employer, Lueck will offer a variety of perspectives while serving on the Adams State Board of Trustees. She has always been a strong supporter of public education and understands the importance of an informed electorate as well as educated consumers, particularly health care consumers. "I see the need to train and nurture our next generation of workers and leaders in an ever-changing economy. My commitment to invest in public education and to chart the strategic direction of ASU will assist our growth and development."
Lueck is the president and CEO of the Colorado Health Institute. She joined the organization in November 2010, bringing nearly 20 years of health experience. Over the course of her career, she has worked for organizations that inform health care delivery and policy decisions with research, data and insight. Previously, Lueck held leadership roles in two health-related nonprofits located on Colorado’s Western Slope. And before entering the nonprofit world, she worked at Sg2 and Thomson Reuters. She has consulted with many nonprofits including the Children’s Health Foundation, the Aspen Medical Foundation and the Redford Center (previously the Sundance Preserve). Leuck has an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a master’s degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Lueck has two specific goals as trustee, to help the university create a solid financial foundation and ensure Adams State’s programmatic and academic offerings meet the needs of southern Colorado, its residents – particularly under-represented minorities, first-generation students and low-income students – and the state as a whole. "Contributors to our economy and society in years to come will be flexible, adaptive and strategic thinkers," Lueck said. "Cultivating critical thinking and equipping students with the skills they need now and in the future is paramount."
Pryor, currently the director of the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation, is an adjunct professor/lecturer with the University Of Colorado School Of Public Affairs, and was recently appointed as a Senior Fellow for the Buechner Institute with the School of Public Affairs. He retired as the State of Colorado Civil Rights Director, and has extensive executive level management experience in civil rights, human resources and nonprofit management in Colorado and California. He is a former lobbyist, a social entrepreneur and served as the Chair of the Foundation Board and a member of the Board of Directors for Innovage, a senior care organization. He has served on numerous boards and commissions. He has a law degree from the University of Denver, Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, and undergraduate degree from Western State Colorado University. He does consulting with law enforcement, and underrepresented and underserved populations. Most recently, he consulted on broadband deployment to rural areas and provided training on racial bias to the City of Boulder, Colorado Police Department.
His primary goal while an Adams State BOT is to serve the Board and President to create a sustainable organization.
