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Jim Bradeen

Jim Bradeen headshot.

Role: Associate Vice President for Spur Strategy and Professor of Agricultural Biology, CSU Fort Collins

How are you connected to Spur?

I coordinate, support and grow Spur’s educational, research, and programing originating from the CSU campus in Fort Collins. I also work closely with CSU Spur leadership, the CSU System office, and with external stakeholders in the Denver metro and across the state of Colorado.

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

I joined CSU and CSU Spur in April of 2022. I joined this amazing team because I believe in what Spur stands for: life changing educational opportunities and world changing research accessible to EVERYONE. Spur is something big and new that is built on our bedrock institutional commitment to the land grant promise. No other university is addressing the wicked challenges we collectively face in quite this way. And I want to do everything in my power to help it thrive.

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

CSU Spur is very much in a “start up” phase and we are likely to see many grand impacts in the near future. I expect the Spur educational portfolio to grow, providing “K to Gray” educational opportunities including K-12, CSU degree programs and classes, certificate programs and upskilling opportunities, and educational programs for tourists, alumni, and other lifelong learners. Spur will also grow to be a trusted community partner providing new educational pathways and fostering research opportunities for industry engagement.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

CSU Spur has to be seen to be believed! While many institutions have big ideas to address our global challenges, the CSU System has made it happen. Every visit to Spur will be unique and you will learn something each and every time you visit.

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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Celebrate the Fourth of July at Spur!

CSU Spur is hosting its first Fourth of July party! Join us at 5:30 p.m. on July 4 for a live DJ, local barbecue, activities for kids, and a view of celebrations across the city from the Terra rooftop.

Tickets are $5.

Get your tickets

We’ll see you Saturday!

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (Aug. 8), and this month, the theme is Back to School Bash. Join us to make your own pencil pouch, pick up some school supplies, and participate in hands-on STEM activities and experiences designed to spark curiosity in learners of all ages.

Explore 2nd Saturday activities