Becky Takeda-Tinker, Ph.D.
President
Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker is the President of CSU Global. Formerly the Chief Education and Operations Innovation Officer at the Colorado State University System, in 2023 she returned to CSU Global, where she had previously served as the institution’s first President and CEO.
Dr. Takeda-Tinker employs strategic leadership strategies to drive operational, organizational, and student and business success. Her impact is evident in CSU Global’s position as the nation’s first online, fully accredited, state, nonprofit university.
Dr. Takeda-Tinker led the development and execution of various initiatives, including alternative credit programs, organizational training, client-based outsourcing initiatives, the creation of non-degree short programs for reskilling and upskilling, and building innovative pathways into CSU Global degree programs. These pathways were forged through partnerships with K-12 school districts, industry organizations, and third-party education and training organizations. Dr. Takeda-Tinker’s contributions have led to the graduation and degree completion of over 20,000 students within CSU Global’s first decade while still serving over 20,000 students worldwide without relying on state financial support.
Dr. Takeda-Tinker holds a Ph.D. in organization and management with a specialization in leadership, an MBA in finance, a post-graduate certificate in marketing management, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Audra Spicer, Ph.D.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Audra Spicer is the Provost of Colorado State University Global, where she leads CSU Global’s academic and university efforts, driving mission achievement in areas such as program management, job curriculum design and delivery, accreditation statuses, educational policies and processes, and faculty management.
With over a decade of experience at CSU Global, Dr. Spicer has held various roles, including Program Director, Lead Faculty, Writing Center Coordinator, secretary of the curriculum committee, and advisory board member.
Dr. Spicer earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts with a distinction in professional, technical, business and scientific writing from Northern Arizona University, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi’s Northern Arizona University chapter.
Acting Chief Operating Officer
Patti Arroyo, MBA
Acting Chief Operating Officer
Patti Arroyo serves as the Chief Operating Officer at CSU Global, overseeing budget, accounting, IT, Human Resources, and other administrative units. Arroyo brings over 30 years of experience in finance and administration, including roles in higher education. Before joining CSU Global, she was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Colorado.
Arroyo’s higher education experience includes roles as the director of budgets and auxiliary services and the director of continuous process improvement at FRCC. She also served as a consultant to the Colorado Community College System. Before her positions in higher education, Arroyo held leadership roles at GE Capital and ZS Associates.
Arroyo holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Acting Assistant Vice President, Student Achievement and Services
Jerid Counterman, M.S.
Acting Assistant Vice President, Student Achievement and Services
Jerid Counterman serves as the Acting Assistant Vice President of Student Achievement and Services at CSU Global, where he leads the Library and Academic Services. This includes online tutoring, the career center, and other operational components that enhance the experience for CSU Global students.
Counterman joined CSU Global in 2013 as a Student Advisor. Throughout his tenure in higher education, he has gained experience in residence life, academic advising, financial aid, career services, and university leadership.
Counterman earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Cornell College and his Master of Science in management from CSU Global. Proudly identifying as an alumnus of the institution, he is passionate about championing a student-centered approach.
Acting Chief Engagement Officer
Sandra Jones, Ph.D.
Acting Chief Engagement Officer
Dr. Sandra Jones serves as the Acting Chief Engagement Officer at CSU Global, overseeing external-facing departments for the university, including marketing, enrollment, admissions, media relations, communications, and community relations. With over 20 years of higher education experience, previously Dr. Jones has held leadership roles in external relations, student affairs, and fee-funded auxiliaries at the University of Colorado-Boulder, the University of California-Irvine, and the University of Southern California.
Dr. Jones has earned several awards for her engagement work, including a regional Golden Hub of Innovation Award and two Awards of Excellence from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education. She serves on the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is a P3•EDU fellow. This role connects her with thought leaders from various sectors, including higher education, government, associations, foundations, and corporations, fostering opportunities for learning, networking, and sharing best practices.
Dr. Jones graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UCLA, a Master of Education in postsecondary administration from USC, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration & policy from the University of California-Riverside, where she was a Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellow.
Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management Operations
Jim Smith
Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management Operations
Jim Smith serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management Operations at CSU Global. In his role as the university’s compliance leader, Smith oversees strategic partnerships, financial services, compliance, and procurement.
With over 20 years of experience supporting and leading finance and accounting teams across diverse businesses and industries, Smith brings valuable expertise to CSU Global. Before joining the institution, he served as the chief financial officer at the University of Arizona Global Campus, where he was responsible for overseeing the institution’s finance, accounting, and student financial services activities.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in finance from San Diego State University.