Nicole Poncelet-Johnson

Nicole Poncelet headshot

Role: Director of Water Quality and Treatment, Denver Water

How are you connected to CSU Spur?

Denver Water’s new water quality laboratory will be in the Hydro building at the CSU Spur campus. I’ve assisted with project management for the new lab and its overall operations and future research that will come out of collaboration between Denver Water, CSU and other partners at the site.

When did you get involved with Spur and why is it important to you?

In 2018, Denver Water decided to move our water quality lab because our current lab is reaching the end of its useful life without a major remodel. This new facility in the Hydro building gives us flexibility for research and collaboration in addition to being more efficient in the work we do — we currently perform more than 70,000 tests a year — to ensure the water we deliver to 1.5 million people every day meets our high-quality standards.

What outcomes have you seen or do you expect from work at Spur?

Water impacts agriculture and public health and vice versa, so the fact that the Hydro building is close to the other two Spur buildings — Terra and Vida — means there are many opportunities to learn more about how these three areas connect and affect each other. Through that, we can create more sustainable practices and assist the region in using water and agriculture in ways that don’t have a detrimental effect on public health and the environment.

We can help Colorado evolve for the next 100 years.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

Building our new water quality laboratory at Spur allowed us to create a flexible analytical space that can grow and adapt as needs and challenges change. And with the location, we’ll be right there with other scientists, helping us to research issues and solutions. Additionally, I’m really excited by the prospect of working with the kids in the communities surrounding the CSU Spur campus and inspiring them to pursue science.

JOCELYN HITTLE

Associate Vice Chancellor for CSU Spur & Special Projects, CSU System

Jocelyn Hittle is primarily focused on helping to create the CSU System’s new Spur campus at the National Western Center, and on supporting campus sustainability goals across CSU’s campuses. She sits on the Denver Mayor’s Sustainability Advisory Council, on the Advisory Committee for the Coors Western Art Show, and is a technical advisor for the AASHE STARS program.

Prior to joining CSU, Jocelyn was the Associate Director of PlaceMatters, a national urban planning think tank, and worked for the Orton Family Foundation. She has a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton, and a Masters in Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Jocelyn grew up in Colorado and spends her free time in the mountains or exploring Denver.

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TONY FRANK

Chancellor, CSU System

Dr. Tony Frank is the Chancellor of the CSU System. He previously served for 11 years as the 14th president of CSU in Fort Collins. Dr. Frank earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wartburg College, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. and residencies in pathology and toxicology at Purdue. Prior to his appointment as CSU’s president in 2008, he served as the University’s provost and executive vice president, vice president for research, chairman of the Pathology Department, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He was appointed to a dual role as Chancellor in 2015 and became full-time System chancellor in July 2019.

Dr. Frank serves on a number of state and national boards, has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, and has been honored with state and national awards for his leadership in higher education.

Dr. Frank and his wife, Dr. Patti Helper, have three daughters.

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