Amy Parsons is the 16th President of Colorado State University. Prior to being named CSU President in 2023, Parsons served for 17 years in senior executive leadership roles at CSU and the CSU System. She combines her higher education background with private sector leadership experience, as well as a background in law.

Under Parsons’ administration, CSU launched Spur Start and the Ram Transfer Academy, novel programs that enhance access and student success for Denver metro and transfer students. She established the Executive in Residence program, engaging renowned experts in advisory roles for the university. Parsons facilitated CSU’s transition to the Pac-12, elevating the university on a national stage and strengthening CSU’s reputation for academic and research excellence. Under her leadership, CSU has broken records in fundraising, student enrollment, retention, and research and sponsored project expenditures. The university has also achieved new highs in visibility and reach and athletics attendance. In addition, CSU has received national recognition as a “Dream School;” was designated as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion; was honored with the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Designation; has won dozens of national awards for public relations and social and digital media content; and received a record 5th Platinum rating in sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Parsons currently serves in leadership positions for local, state, and national organizations that span business, cultural, and athletics interests. This includes service on the NCAA Committee on Infractions; the Alpine Bank Board of Directors; the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Board of Trustees; the Denver Sports Advisory Committee; the Colorado Business Roundtable Board of Directors; the U.S. Committee for Economic Development Board of Trustees; the Salazar Center for North American Conservation External Advisory Board; the Mountain West Board of Directors; the Pac-12 Board of Directors; and the Institute for Shipboard Education Board of Trustees (Ex-Officio Member).

Prior to her appointment as President, Parsons served as executive vice chancellor of the CSU System from 2015-2020; vice president for university operations at CSU from 2009-2015; and deputy general counsel and associate legal counsel at CSU Fort Collins from 2004-2009. She worked as a litigation attorney for Denver-firm Brownstein, Hyatt, & Farber (now Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck) from 1999-2004.

During the 2024-2025 year, Parsons received the CU Law Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, was named Zeta Tau Alpha National Alumna of the Year, was inducted into CSU’s Inaugural Class Circle of Legends, and was recognized with Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business award.

Parsons holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from CSU and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado. In addition to being a CSU alumna, Parsons is a proud Ram parent. She was born in Colorado and grew up in Wyoming.