About Dr. Lovell

Dr. Cheryl D. Lovell is CEO and President of For Success in Leadership and Life providing executive coaching and independent consulting on leadership, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and public policy. Dr. Lovell is a Certified Strengths Coach with Gallup working with individuals, small teams, and large organizations to maximize their talents to achieve their mission. She is also a trained facilitator in the Speed of Trust through FranklinCovey. She was President of Adams State University and Rocky Vista University. She has held leadership roles at public and private universities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and brings 30+ years of executive leadership. Dr. Lovell was the Chief Academic Officer for the State of Colorado and a former Professor of Higher Education and academic administrator. Dr. Lovell is a CEO, author, and turnaround leader who has proven successes in creating, inspiring, and leading innovative strategies allowing individuals and organizations to successfully adapt, grow, and thrive.  

Thoughtful, reflective leader with proven, successful executive leadership skills and administrative insights necessary for effective executive leadership in dynamic academic environments. Accomplished higher education background with vast experiences in university administration, academic leadership, and postsecondary public policy providing a rich contextual foundation for addressing complex issues and opportunities. Innovative, entrepreneur focus with leadership based on a strengths framework. Expertise in collaborative academic administration coupled with extensive experience and knowledge of higher education administration and leadership, student learning and development, and faculty development. Committed to collaboratively leading quality educational environments supporting critical thinking and analyses, citizenship and moral values, and global perspectives for all, especially for women and diverse populations.

Extensive executive leadership experiences in progressively challenging settings with 35+ years of professional work in higher education. University President at two different types of institutions. Experiences in a variety of settings including specialized, focused universities, large research universities (both public and private) as well as regional comprehensive institutions, state systems of higher education, and national higher education agencies all geared towards the improvement of postsecondary education. Strong academic leadership in addition to an extensive scholarly record.

President and CEO, January 2016-Present – For Success in Leadership and Life – Providing executive coaching and independent consulting on leadership, strategic planning, assessment, organizational effectiveness, and public policy. Certified Strengths Coach with Gallup working with individuals, small teams, and large organizations to maximize their talents to achieve their mission. Also providing small and large team training in The Speed of Trust as a trained facilitator through FranklinCovey.

President, June 2018-June 2022 – Adams State University

     KEY OUTCOMES: Increased CFI Score from <1 to 4.88 (on a 5.0 scale); Achieved HLC accreditation; Increased Moody’s outlook; Created Academic Divisions netting in new meta majors leading to new stackable credentials; Created new degrees; Secured state funding to replace IT system in unique consortium; Secured first ever Congressional designated federal earmark to support new Mechanical Engineering degree; Improved alumni relationships and donor connections; launched first ever Adams Gives Day; see below for additional outcomes

           Professor, Higher Education Administration & Leadership, June 2019-Nov 2022 – Adams State University

Special Advisor to the Chancellor & to the Chief Academic Officer, January 2016-June 2018 – Colorado State University System

     KEY OUTCOMES: Increased collaboration among institutions within the CSU System to maximize system effectiveness; Increased communication among the institutions within the CSU System to create degree pathways for students, for admission, and enrollment management; Increased System wide discussions on sharing IT infrastructures across the institutions within the CSU System; Increased collaborations for new or enhanced articulation and transfer agreements among the institutions within the CSU System; Increased System productivity gained through academic collaborations

President and CEO, December 2012-December 2015; President Emerita, December 2015-Present – Rocky Vista University

     KEY OUTCOMES: Achieved inaugural HLC institutional accreditation; Created new health sciences degrees to complement the medical school; Began the work to establish another medical school in another state; Elevated RVU’s profile and increase awareness of the new university; Increased diversity in admission; Established innovative collaborations with health related organizations and entities to support the growth and expansion of RVU

Chief Academic Officer, February 2010-July 2011 – State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Higher Education

     KEY OUTCOMES: Led statewide academic and student affairs policy initiatives to promote access, accountability, and quality in Colorado higher education; Led collaborations on aligning the P-20 “system” of education in Colorado to lead implementation of CAP4K; Led and oversaw the approval of new academic programs, teacher preparation program authorization and reauthorization, and approval of educator effectiveness programs; Led the successful acceptance of 13 Statewide Articulation Agreements; Directed the Colorado College Access Challenge Grant; Led the Technology, Information/Data System, and Research staff to carryout policy research

Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, and Interim Dean, 1999-2009 – University of Denver

Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, September 1995-December 2012 – University of Denver

Postsecondary Public Policy roles with: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS); State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO); Florida Board of Regents (Academic Labor Relations Division); President’s Office Florida State University

Student Affairs Professional roles with: West Georgia College, East Texas State University, University of Arkansas

Thank you to all the colleagues, friends, and family who clipped a few articles about my work over the last four years. It has been encouraging to read them. It is heartfelt to be reminded of the many outstanding things we did, we accomplished, and we celebrated. Please see and hear the word “we” as these articles may feature me as President but they are about the University and are not possible without the many students, faculty, and staff who dedicated themselves to the university. It takes everyone to work every day to fulfill the mission of the institution.

University Presidents are the first to be blamed when anything goes wrong within and about the institution. That is understood as it can be an unfortunate part of the role sometimes and I humbly accept responsibilities for shortcomings. They can also be the first to get recognized when good things happen. It is important to note, understand, and say it loudly — it is all members of the team who made the good stuff happen. 

Much appreciation and respect to everyone who made the good things happen. Keep doing them as our students need your best every day.  

Below are just a few highlights of the last four years:

The Importance of Giving and Leading by Example

Appointment as Interim President and then President

Launching the Centennial Celebration of ASU

Turnaround, Recovery, and Gaining Momentum

The Power of Transformative Change

The Importance of Recognizing Others

Leading Through a Pandemic – How to without a Playbook

Understanding the Importance of Regional Comprehensive Rural Universities – Stewards of Place

Critical to Share Information, Communication about the Campus with others

International Partnerships Matter

National Leadership expands institutional profile