Leadership

Becky Takeda-Tinker, Ph.D.

President

Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker is the President of CSU Global. Formerly the Chief Education and Operations Innovation Officer at the Colorado State University System, in 2023 she returned to CSU Global, where she had  previously served as the institution’s first President and CEO.

Dr. Takeda-Tinker employs strategic leadership strategies to drive operational, organizational, and student and business success. Her impact is evident in CSU Global’s position as the nation’s first online, fully accredited, state, nonprofit university.

Dr. Takeda-Tinker led the development and execution of various initiatives, including alternative credit programs, organizational training, client-based outsourcing initiatives, the creation of non-degree short programs for reskilling and upskilling, and building innovative pathways into CSU Global degree programs. These pathways were forged through partnerships with K-12 school districts, industry organizations, and third-party education and training organizations. Dr. Takeda-Tinker’s contributions have led to the graduation and degree completion of over 20,000 students within CSU Global’s first decade while still serving over 20,000 students worldwide without relying on state financial support.

Dr. Takeda-Tinker holds a Ph.D. in organization and management with a specialization in leadership, an MBA in finance, a post-graduate certificate in marketing management, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics.

Audra Spicer, Ph.D.

Provost

Dr. Audra Spicer is the Provost of Colorado State University Global, where she leads CSU Global’s academic and university efforts, driving mission achievement in areas such as program management, job curriculum design and delivery, accreditation statuses, educational policies and processes, and faculty management. 

With over a decade of experience at CSU Global, Dr. Spicer has held various roles, including Program Director, Lead Faculty, Writing Center Coordinator, secretary of the curriculum committee, and advisory board member. 

Dr. Spicer earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts with a distinction in professional, technical, business and scientific writing from Northern Arizona University, and an MBA from Columbia Southern University. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi’s Northern Arizona University chapter.

Patti Arroyo, MBA

Acting Chief Operating Officer

Patti Arroyo serves as the Chief Operating Officer at CSU Global, overseeing budget, accounting, IT, Human Resources, and other administrative units. Arroyo brings over 30 years of experience in finance and administration, including roles in higher education. Before joining CSU Global, she was the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Front Range Community College (FRCC) in Colorado.

Arroyo’s higher education experience includes roles as the director of budgets and auxiliary services and the director of continuous process improvement at FRCC. She also served as a consultant to the Colorado Community College System. Before her positions in higher education, Arroyo held leadership roles at GE Capital and ZS Associates.

Arroyo holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Jerid Counterman, M.S.

Acting Assistant Vice President, Student Achievement and Services

Jerid Counterman serves as the Acting Assistant Vice President of Student Achievement and Services at CSU Global, where he leads the Library and Academic Services. This includes online tutoring, the career center, and other operational components that enhance the experience for CSU Global students.

Counterman joined CSU Global in 2013 as a Student Advisor. Throughout his tenure in higher education, he has gained experience in residence life, academic advising, financial aid, career services, and university leadership.

Counterman earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Cornell College and his Master of Science in management from CSU Global. Proudly identifying as an alumnus of the institution, he is passionate about championing a student-centered approach.

Sandra Jones, Ph.D.

Acting Chief Engagement Officer

Dr. Sandra Jones serves as the Acting Chief Engagement Officer at CSU Global, overseeing external-facing departments for the university, including marketing, enrollment, admissions, media relations, communications, and community relations. With over 20 years of higher education experience, previously Dr. Jones has held leadership roles in external relations, student affairs, and fee-funded auxiliaries at the University of Colorado-Boulder, the University of California-Irvine, and the University of Southern California.

Dr. Jones has earned several awards for her engagement work, including a regional Golden Hub of Innovation Award and two Awards of Excellence from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education. She serves on the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is a P3•EDU fellow. This role connects her with thought leaders from various sectors, including higher education, government, associations, foundations, and corporations, fostering opportunities for learning, networking, and sharing best practices.

Dr. Jones graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UCLA, a Master of Education in postsecondary administration from USC, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration & policy from the University of California-Riverside, where she was a Chancellor's Distinguished Fellow.

Jim Smith

Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management Operations

Jim Smith serves as the Vice President of Strategy and Risk Management Operations at CSU Global. In his role as the university’s compliance leader, Smith oversees strategic partnerships, financial services, compliance, and procurement.

With over 20 years of experience supporting and leading finance and accounting teams across diverse businesses and industries, Smith brings valuable expertise to CSU Global. Before joining the institution, he served as the chief financial officer at the University of Arizona Global Campus, where he was responsible for overseeing the institution’s finance, accounting, and student financial services activities.

Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in finance from San Diego State University.

Tanae Acolatse, Ph.D.

Lead Program Director/Program Director, Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Dr. Tanae Acolatse is the Lead Program Director for the administrators in the Business and Leadership programs at CSU Global. Additionally, she holds the position of Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program. Dr. Acolatse has been dedicated to higher education for over ten years and joined CSU Global in 2013 as a faculty instructor in the accounting undergraduate program.

Before joining academia, Dr. Acolatse worked for over 20 years in the paper industry as an accountant and in leadership positions in financial accounting and business analysis.

Dr. Acolatse earned a Ph.D. in philosophy management/accounting concentration from Walden University, an MBA from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration/accounting from Talladega College. She serves on the board of directors of three nonprofit organizations, holding positions as board chair and finance chair.

Matthew Brown, Ph.D.

Lead Program Director/Program Director Computer Science

Marlise Sipes, MBA

Registrar

Marlise Sipes serves as the University Registrar at CSU Global. In this role, she oversees both student record management and transfer evaluation. With over 14 years of higher education experience across various student-centered departments, Sipes plays a key role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of student records. 

Sipes holds dual undergraduate degrees in finance and marketing from Walsh University and earned her MBA from Capella University. She joined CSU Global in 2022. 

Sabrina Casas, M.A.

Director of Student Success

Sabrina Casas is the Director of Student Success at CSU Global. In her role, she helps support student persistence and retention initiatives. Before this, she held positions as a Success Counselor, Student Success Manager, and Organization Development and Training Specialist. Casas has been with CSU Global since 2015.

Casas holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from Montclair State University and a graduate degree in counseling from Kean University.

Paul Mascareñas, MLS, MNM

Assistant Librarian and Academic Resources Manager

Paul Mascareñas is the Assistant Librarian and Academic Resources Manager at CSU Global’s Writing Center, bringing 15 years of experience in higher education. In his role, Mascareñas manages a team of writing consultants, who also serve as teaching faculty. He also oversees and manages the third-party online tutoring service, which provides subject support around the clock.

Mascareñas earned a master’s in library science from Emporia State University and a master’s in nonprofit management from Regis University. He has been with CSU Global since 2012.

Jeff Wahl, MLIS

Director of Library Services

Jeff Wahl is the Director of Library Services at CSU Global. With over a decade of experience as a library director for Front Range Community College and prior work as a law librarian at various Denver law firms, he combines insights from both academic and fast-paced legal environments in his work at CSU Global.

Wahl holds a master’s in library science from Emporia State University and a Bachelor of Science in music from the University of Colorado at Denver. A Colorado native who grew up on a farm near Akron, Colorado, he now resides in Broomfield, Colorado, with his wife, Victoria, and their four children, who are all cats. When not immersed in library work, he enjoys playing guitar, reading, bicycling, and hiking.

Roger Seflinger, PMP

Director of Information Technology

Roger Seflinger is the Director of Information Technology at CSU Global, overseeing the IT, Information Engineering, and Office of Institutional Effectiveness departments. His purview includes the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, Software Development, and Data Science departments. He has been with CSU Global since 2019. 

Seflinger holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from California State University, Northridge. He has spent over 20 years in higher education and the entertainment industry. Holding PMP certification, he is a Project Management Institute, Denver Chapter member.

Carrie Wood, CPA

Controller

Carrie Wood, CPA, is the Controller at CSU Global. In this role, she oversees accounting and finance operations, ensuring the accurate preparation of financial statements and reports. With over 15 years of experience in accounting, Wood has devoted more than a decade to higher education, working both in administration and as an Associate Professor of Accounting. 

Before joining CSU Global, Wood held positions as the chief financial officer of a nonprofit organization, as controller of a national manufacturing company, and roles in public accounting. In 2012, she obtained her CPA license and remains an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Institute of CPAs. 

Wood holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in accounting from Strayer University. Additionally, she earned a Master of Science in higher education administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Lydia Kloiber, M.A., CCEP, CFE

Director of Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation and Accreditation Liaison Officer

Lydia Kloiber is the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation and Accreditation Liaison Officer at CSU Global. In this role, she ensures that the university complies with all federal, state, and CSU-System regulatory requirements. Kloiber supports internal audit requests and compliance information inquiries from the CSU System office and external agencies, while also assisting department leaders with institutional policy updates and third-party contract reviews. 

With over 28 years of diverse experience in higher education, spanning four-year universities, community colleges, and online education, Kloiber is well-versed in regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.  

Kloiber earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a Master of Arts in student personnel administration from Columbia University Teachers College. She holds certifications as a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Ryan Anderson

Acting Associate Director of Strategic Engagement Operations

Ryan Anderson serves as the Acting Associate Director Strategic Engagement Operations at CSU Global, where he oversees the  day-to-day operations the Enrollment, Student and Financial Services, and Admissions departments.

Joining CSU Global in 2015 as an Enrollment Counselor, Anderson created the Quality Assurance department and assumed the role of Quality Assurance Manager in 2019. In 2021, he advanced to his current position. 

Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership from CSU Global. He attributes his education and training to fostering a student-centered perspective that guides decision-making in his role.

Mallory Bruns, M.S.

Associate Director of Enrollment

Mallory Bruns is the Associate Director of Enrollment. In this role, she oversees the daily operations of the Enrollment Department and works to improve the student experience as new students make their way to CSU Global.

With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Bruns brings valuable experience working with diverse student populations. She has been with CSU Global since 2008 and has served in various roles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Augustana College and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from CSU Global.

Amanda Elliott, M.A., M.S. 

Associate Director of Financial Aid and Student Finance Advising

Amanda Elliott is the Associate Director of Financial Aid and Student Finance Advising at CSU Global. In this role, she leads the Financial Aid Operations and Student Finance Advising teams within the Student Financial Services department. 

Elliott joined CSU Global in 2020 as a Financial Aid Advisor and worked in several roles within the department. 

Elliott earned a bachelor’s degree in archaeology & classics from the American University of Rome, a Master of Arts in nonprofit management from Notre Dame of Maryland University, and a Master of Science in finance from CSU Global.

Jana Hayhurst

Senior Director of Strategic Marketing & Enrollment

Jana Hayhurst is a brand and product marketer with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. Currently, she serves as the Sr. Director of Strategic Marketing & Enrollment at CSU Global. In this role, she oversees all marketing and enrollment initiatives including recruitment efforts, marketing, advertising, creative development, and brand experience.

Hayhurst’s journey in higher education marketing brought her to CSU Global following a successful tenure at the University of Arizona Online. During her time there, she played a key role in building and shaping the marketing team in the early years of Arizona Online's growth. 

Hayhurst holds a Bachelor of Arts in media arts from the University of Arizona and is pursuing a master's degree in organizational leadership.

Samira Karyampudi, MBA

Director of Enterprise Partnerships

Samira Karyampudi is the Director of Enterprise Partnerships at CSU Global. In this role, she leads a partnership team that fosters collaborations and establishes key stakeholder relationships in corporate, military, and education sectors. 

In the corporate realm, the team focuses on creating workforce upskilling opportunities, while in the military sector, the emphasis is on supporting veterans' education and developing specialized training. In the education sector, the team engages with institutions to facilitate dual enrollment, teacher upskilling, and collaborative academic programs.

Karyampudi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Carolina University and an MBA from Argosy University.

Jessica Roeger
Associate Director of Student Accounts & Military Services

Jessica Roeger is the Associate Director of Student Accounts & Military Services at CSU Global. In this role, she oversees both the student accounts services team and the military benefits team within the Student Financial Services department. 

Roeger joined CSU Global in 2016 and has held various positions, including Invoicing Specialist, Military Benefits Specialist, Military Team Lead, and Student Billing Services Manager. She earned her undergraduate degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy.

Jenna Tarleton

Director of Communications and External Relations

Jenna Tarleton is the Director of Communications and External Relations at CSU Global. In this role, she advances CSU Global’s reputation among key stakeholders by overseeing internal communications, public relations, community engagement, and sponsorships.

Tarleton joined CSU Global in 2021 as External Relations Manager. Previously, she served as an account executive at Ogilvy, where she was part of the Public Relations & Influence Group, serving various clients across the health, consumer goods, education, technology, and government sectors.

Tarleton holds a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Abby Wernicki, Ph.D.

Acting Sr. Director of Admissions and Student Financial Services

Dr. Abby Wernicki is the Acting Senior Director of Admissions and Student Financial Services at CSU Global, overseeing all aspects of admissions, financial aid, finance advising, student accounts and military services for new and continuing students. With over a decade of experience in leadership roles within higher education, Dr. Wernicki has contributed her expertise to four-year institutions and community colleges, directing undergraduate and graduate enrollment divisions. 

Before joining CSU Global, Dr. Wernicki oversaw the student affairs and enrollment departments as part of the executive leadership team at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Wernicki holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Randolph College and earned her Master of Arts and Ph.D. in philosophical and theological studies from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. With over 15 years of part-time teaching experience, her academic background enriches her perspective in the field of enrollment.