Press Release: Appoints Munn to Head of Dept. Of Higher Ed
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 2009
CONTACTS
Karen Gerwitz, 303.894.2338, karen.gerwitz@dora.state.co.us
Holly Shrewsbury, 303.866-6386, holly.shrewsbury@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER APPOINTS RICO MUNN TO HEAD DEPT. OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Gov. Bill Ritter announced today he has named Rico Munn as the new executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Munn has served since 2007 as executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, managing the business side of Colorado's government and ensuring consumer protection. He will assume his new duties Nov. 2.
"Rico has done an outstanding job leading and improving the Department of Regulatory Agencies," Gov. Ritter said. "He also has a passion for education and the strong management skills necessary to help us build the best higher-education system in the country. This is a crucial time for higher education, as we embark on a long-term master planning process. This process will include a comprehensive discussion about how best to establish a sustainable funding model that will keep college affordable and accessible for all Coloradans. Rico's keen intellect and strong leadership skills make him an ideal advocate for higher education and a perfect fit for this new role."
From 2002 to 2007, Munn represented Colorado's First Congressional District on the State Board of Education, which provides oversight for Colorado's K-12 public education system. He also served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law. Munn earned his law degree from DU in 1996 as a Chancellor's Scholar, and has a bachelor's degree from Midland Lutheran College.
"The Governor is committed to ensuring the long-term success and stability of our system of higher education," Munn said. "I share that commitment. I'm honored that he has asked me to lead the Department forward as we create a system of higher education that expands opportunities for Coloradans in every corner of the state."
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is home to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and it oversees 27 public institutions of higher learning, where 220,000 students are enrolled. The department also oversees several student loan programs.
Greg Ferland, who is currently deputy director at the Department of Regulatory Agencies, will serve as DORA's interim director.