Martha Calvert | CSU Spur

Early building closure The CSU Spur Hydro building and the Hydro Backyard will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Role: Sensory Manager, Food Innovation Center, CSU Spur

How are you connected to CSU Spur?

I am connected with CSU Spur through the Food Innovation Center, which is a program developed through the College of Agriculture. Our purpose is to support regional food businesses with their product development, quality testing, and sensory testing needs – which is where I come in! I manage and run all sensory testing services that we do at Spur, including sensory projects for research and extension, as well as sensory testing for actual food and beverage businesses.

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

I joined the Spur family in July 2023 because I wanted to support food and beverage businesses and researchers throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Colorado is home to a bustling food industry that is extremely health-conscious and is home to a diverse and unique agricultural system. I want to be a tool for a variety of food producers, growers, ranchers, and developers to understand sensory testing and know how to leverage it to improve the quality of their products. I also want to support researchers as they incorporate sensory testing into their projects, making them more interdisciplinary and impactful.

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

I expect the sensory testing program at Spur to grow and be an attractive option for not only researchers and businesses but also for the public. Sensory testing runs off volunteer taste testers. Participating in sensory testing is a great way for people to learn how to appreciate and train their palate, but also a way for them to get involved in the greater food system. But of course, I also hope that our sensory testing programs at Spur will be a great support for regional food and beverage businesses to improve the quality of their products.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

I hope that everyone in the greater Denver region comes to Spur at least once and sees all that it has to offer! Spur is a one-of-a-kind community that is setting the bar for innovation.

Hours

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2nd Saturday of every month: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (closed all other Saturdays)
Closed Sundays

Location

4777 National Western Dr.,
Denver, CO 80216

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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.

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.

We’ll see you Saturday!

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (April 13)! The theme is the Big Bloom.

Hope to see you there!