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Sarah Millonig

Sarah Millonig headshot.

Role: Associate Director, One Water Solutions Institute

How are you connected to CSU Spur?

The CSU One Water Solutions Institute is focused on connecting our world-class research and innovative software solutions to solve real-world water and environmental challenges. We recently embarked on a new journey at the CSU Spur campus and are now co-located in the Hydro building. Here, our team is launching a variety of initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges at the local level. Our work is centered around engagement and innovation in three primary activities at Spur:

  1. The Water Technology Accelerator Platform (Water TAP for short) is a first-of-its-kind, cutting-edge facility for testing water treatment technologies on different water sources to study the best ways we can clean and reuse water. Here, we develop fit-for-purpose water recycling approaches and technologies to improve community resilience.
  2. OWSI offers cloud-based software solutions and a suite of customized online tools for managing water and linked environmental resources in a changing world. Our services are used to assist with strategic and tactical decision-making for sustainable management of water, land, energy, and other connected resources. We provide web-based software and online tools to holistically assess water and other linked resources.
  3. Our team provides an array of workforce development activities and conducts a variety of in-person training events, online and hybrid courses, and professional certification programs. We educate and prepare water resource leaders for solving complex problems. Our students receive real-world training that prepares them to face tough challenges in their careers.

As associate director, I assist with the management, implementation, and coordination of several national research centers and CSU programs, and I am responsible for business development, program management, and project administration for the team. I am the lead contact for the team’s CSU Spur activities, including partnership development, programming and project administration, communications, and tours.

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

OWSI has been engaged with Spur planning and design since 2017! We participated in some of the initial stakeholder engagement activities with the local GES community, conducted an initial sustainability analysis for NWC, and were very closely involved in the design and construction of the Water TAP. I am privileged to have been on this journey for so many years and am thrilled to see it all come to life! We moved into Hydro when it opened in January 2023 and have been on-site daily ever since.

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

We facilitate collaboration between the University and outside partners including public, private, and non-governmental organizations through a variety of technical research, software development, training, and educational activities. Our activities and engagement with the Spur ecosystem have jump-started several new collaborations with external partners representing the energy, agricultural, and water resources industries while simultaneously expanding our existing relationships with state and local governments, municipalities, and water utilities. We have started implementing several exciting research projects focused on fit-for-purpose water use and One Water strategies in both the Water TAP and Hydro Backyard.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

This campus and its community are truly unique. The awe that I see on visitors’ faces every day – from the youngest minds to seasoned researchers, industry leaders, and lifelong learners – inspires me to continue pursuing my dream of making a difference in the world. Physically and intellectually engaging with all ages and backgrounds is not something CSU researchers can always do. Spur makes this a reality; everything we do is on display, science is in action, and our research is accessible to everyone who visits the campus. The Spur focus on the food-energy-water-health nexus draws attention to these important intersections for creating resilient communities. I have brought family, friends, and kiddos to this campus many times – everyone walks away inspired and eager to come back and learn more!

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