It was announced before he left former President Barack Obama's Cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture that Tom Vilsack was going to become president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Now comes word that Vilsack and his wife, Christie, are also taking on new roles in the Colorado State University System.

Tom Vilsack will join Denver Water and the Colorado State University System as a strategic adviser of food and water initiatives at the National Western Center, and as a global chairman for the International Board of Counselors on Food and Water Initiatives.

Christie Vilsack, a longtime education and literacy advocate and former senior adviser for international education at the U.S. Agency for International Development, will join the CSU System as senior adviser to the Chancellor for Educational Access and Presidential Visiting Scholar for Educational Access.

In the announcement of these appointments, Tony Frank, CSU president, commented: "The challenges that are facing our globe will need all of our best efforts and all of our best thoughts to identify sustainable solutions. We are excited to add these two incredibly qualified national leaders to our team, and to continue to elevate the conversation, and collaborate to create great impact for our state, our country and our world."

Christie Vilsack is a national leader in education and literacy, with a breadth of experience working on behalf of diverse populations. She has taught at every K-12 level, at the college level, and has also led a statewide literacy effort as Iowa's first lady. Before working for USAID, she ran a women's health research initiative — funded by the Buffett Foundation — to reduce unintended pregnancies for women living in rural communities, allowing many to pursue higher education as a result.

It was announced before he left former President Barack Obama's Cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture that Tom Vilsack was going to become president of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Now comes word that Vilsack and his wife, Christie, are also taking on new roles in the Colorado State University System.

Tom Vilsack will join Denver Water and the Colorado State University System as a strategic adviser of food and water initiatives at the National Western Center, and as a global chairman for the International Board of Counselors on Food and Water Initiatives.

Christie Vilsack, a longtime education and literacy advocate and former senior adviser for international education at the U.S. Agency for International Development, will join the CSU System as senior adviser to the Chancellor for Educational Access and Presidential Visiting Scholar for Educational Access.

In the announcement of these appointments, Tony Frank, CSU president, commented: "The challenges that are facing our globe will need all of our best efforts and all of our best thoughts to identify sustainable solutions. We are excited to add these two incredibly qualified national leaders to our team, and to continue to elevate the conversation, and collaborate to create great impact for our state, our country and our world."

Christie Vilsack is a national leader in education and literacy, with a breadth of experience working on behalf of diverse populations. She has taught at every K-12 level, at the college level, and has also led a statewide literacy effort as Iowa's first lady. Before working for USAID, she ran a women's health research initiative — funded by the Buffett Foundation — to reduce unintended pregnancies for women living in rural communities, allowing many to pursue higher education as a result.

Adviser on interface of ag and water
Tom Vilsack will support the growing educational partnerships at the new National Western Center in Denver. In addition, Vilsack will participate in lectures, policy discussions, and faculty and student collaborations, as well as establish an annual meeting at the National Western Center focused on the interface of agriculture and water with integration to climate smart agriculture initiatives.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock added: "With strengths in agriculture, water and innovation, Denver and Colorado are poised to play a critical role in the global challenges we face today, such as how to make the best use of our water and how to feed a growing population. The National Western Center will be a launching point for tackling these critical issues facing communities worldwide."

Tom Vilsack noted that agriculture holds the key to "finding solutions to the world's largest problems. I'm excited to represent the expertise and research capabilities of Colorado State University and pull together partners from around the world to participate."

In his new role, Tom Vilsack will also be responsible for forming and chairing the board of counselors to advise CSU, Denver Water and the National Western Stock Show on priorities around the interface of food, water, energy, the environment and human health. He also is tasked with helping formulate the vision of the new joint CSU-Denver Water facility at the National Western.

Both roles with CSU are part-time appointments.

Source: Colorado State University