Associate Dean from the University of Utah Named Director of Colorado State University Continuing Education

Provost Peter Nicholls announced today that Richard Simpson, associate dean for academic outreach and continuing education at the University of Utah, has been named the new director of Colorado State University Continuing Education beginning Aug. 1.

Simpson has been at the University of Utah since 1983, beginning as an adjunct assistant professor of management at the David Eccles School of Business. In 1987, he was selected as assistant dean of the Division of Continuing Education, and in 1991 he was appointed associate dean of the division. Since 1995, he also has been an adjunct professor of political science.  

"I am delighted that we have been able to attract such an innovative leader in the field of distance and continuing education to our campus," Nicholls said. "I look forward to working with Rick in charting the future of educational outreach at Colorado State University."

Since 1978, Simpson has provided consultation, training and public service for a wide variety of organizations including educational institutions; state, county and city governmental offices; court systems; private sector energy and chemical companies; an airport authority; hospitals and health-care related groups; and a variety of private-sector enterprises. Simpson’s consulting expertise is in organization structure, management and supervisory practices, leadership and motivation issues, performance management systems, training and development practices, organizational development, team building and communications issues.

"Working in higher education, and continuing education in particular, has been a lifelong joy and passion for me," Simpson said. "Education is the means to vibrant and sustainable communities, better organizations and higher performing teams and  individuals. Universities and their outreach activities make it possible for individuals, groups, organizations and communities, from local to global, to leverage our research, teaching, service and extension resources into all varieties of excellence. I welcome a new chapter for me at Colorado State University in this exciting enterprise."

Simpson regularly teaches in the Executive Master of Public Administration Program at the University of Utah. He also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in areas of organizational behavior, administrative practices, organizational and industrial psychology, motivation and leadership.

Simpson received his bachelor’s in biology from Colorado College and his master’s in economics and doctorate in organizational psychology from the University of Utah. He also attended the management and lifelong education program at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Colorado State Continuing Education assists in the university’s outreach mission by providing distance and online access to the educational resources of the institution.  Programs at all levels – degree programs, certificate programs, credit courses and non-credit courses – are offered in Fort Collins, Denver and distant locations through a variety of delivery methods.  

For more information about Colorado State University Continuing Education, visit www.learn.colostate.edu, call (970) 491-5288 or toll-free (877) 491-4336.

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