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Greg Newman

Greg Newman headshot.

Role: Coordinator of Engagement Technology for CSU Spur and Director of CitSci.org

How are you connected to CSU Spur?

I initially began leading the South Platte Bioblitz as a volunteer three years ago  and have been developing an exhibit at Spur that will showcase community-driven work that CSU is collaborating with across the globe as part of the Global Mapping Project. The Global Mapping project is also advancing a Colorado mapping project that will share stories of what CSU is doing across the state and with which partners, including many projects in the vicinity of the new Spur campus.

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

I started volunteering for the Bioblitz three years ago, and I also started working on the Global Mapping project at that time. Spur is important to me because it embodies a passion of mine to totally rethink the role of a University in the world. Spur challenges us to rethink collaboration, engagement, and action and re-envision how we can co-create action in society together with partners who are the true champions of change for improved livelihoods, ecosystems, and communities. My work in community science is synergistic with the vision of Spur whereby members of the community work together alongside partners at Spur to study phenomena of interest and concern to them. These collaborations then co-create projects that gather data and information to guide evidence-based decision making about issues requiring informed decisions that will affect the quality of life of members of the community.

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

I expect outcomes that improve the livelihoods and quality of life of community members. I envision outcomes that span the gamut from improving economic vitality, ecosystem services, and public health.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

I want people to know Spur is a truly OPEN campus that is open to all and that is re-envisioning how a University operates. I want people to know there are job opportunities at Spur, that the campus is striving to be a truly sustainable campus, and that its mission is to improve the well-being of people, economies, and the ecosystems they depend on for a high quality life where they can thrive.

KAREN SCHLATTER

Director, Colorado Water Center

Karen Schlatter was appointed director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University in 2025, after joining the Center as associate director in 2023. Schlatter brings academic, nonprofit, and public sector experience in managing complex water challenges with a deep commitment to building partnerships and the ability to engage in conversations across Colorado’s water community. She joined CSU from the University of Florida Water Institute where her work included facilitating multi-stakeholder/academic teams to achieve shared goals around water management through collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Prior to her role at UF, she served as associate director of the Colorado River Delta Program at the Sonoran Institute, where she focused on building cross-sector and international partnerships to support large-scale ecological restoration, effective binational water management, and community engagement in the Colorado River Delta region. Schlatter earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from McGill University and a Master of Science in environmental studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She served as an agricultural extension volunteer in the Peace Corps in Paraguay.

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TOM VILSACK

Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation

Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, will become the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack will focus on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.

In 1998, he became the first Democrat to be elected as the Governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. During his two terms as Governor, he created an $800 million, 10-year economic development incentive program—the Iowa Values Fund. His administration worked with schools, medical providers, businesses, faith-based organizations and other entities to expand healthcare coverage to more than 90,000 previously uninsured children.

He became the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture, from 2008-2017 and 2021-2025, respectively. Only five people in U.S. history have served in the Cabinet longer, and during his tenures, the United States Department of Agriculture set records for U.S. agricultural exports and provided food assistance to millions of Americans. He helped expand food and nutrition access through summer feeding programs for children and additional support for fruit and vegetable purchases through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. As Secretary, he worked to develop new and superior markets for small and mid-sized farms, allowing those operations to remain viable and in turn, strengthening and growing rural communities.

Governor Vilsack has long been connected to the World Food Prize Foundation, having served on both the Council of Advisors and the Board of Directors. His insights and acumen were vital in shaping our mission and initiatives. His leadership and experience will be instrumental in expanding the Foundation’s international reach and continuing the mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.

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CSU Spur is turning 2! Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.

It’s our anniversary!

It’s our anniversary! CSU Spur has been fully open to the public, sharing hands-on, family-friendly activities around food, water, and health for two years. Join us on Saturday, Jan. 11, for 2nd Saturday activities, including desserts, a mariachi performance, face painters, horses on treadmills, veterinarians in surgery, scientists in labs, and more. The celebration is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and CSU Spur will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; no registration required, all public activities are free.

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is presented by Canvas Credit Union.

We’ll see you Saturday!

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (May 9), and this month, the theme is Spur in Bloom. Join us for flower-themed arts and crafts, horse demonstrations, interactive activities focused on topics like sustainability and gardening, the return of the Market at the Center, and more!

Explore 2nd Saturday activities