Adams State Trustee Tandberg named interim president

ADAMS State named David Tandberg interim president on Thursday. Tandberg is a current Adams State Trustee and senior vice president of policy research and strategic initiatives at State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

He will guide Adams State through the upcoming academic school year while the university searches for its next president. Trustees decided on June 3 to terminate the contract of Cheryl Lovell.

“I want to thank the Board for entrusting me with this undertaking,” Tandberg said. “I was born in Leadville, grew up in Colorado, and consider Alamosa my second home. I am truly honored and can’t wait to be part of the community again.”

Tandberg will not be a candidate for the permanent role. That search is being led by Adams State Trustees Mark Martinez and Jonathan Marquez, both Adams State graduates and Valley natives.

“We look forward to Dr. Tandberg leading Adams State during this critical time,” said Adams State Trustee Board Chair Michele Lueck. “He is the right person to guide this university as we explore Adams State’s long-term success through a comprehensive national search for our next leader.”

Lueck also thanked Kent Buchanan, Adams State vice president of Academic Affairs, for serving as acting president before an interim president was named.

Tandberg is a 2002 graduate of Adams State and was appointed to the board of trustees in June 2020. “Adams State is an engine of opportunity that creates pathways to accomplishment and advancement for so many. It did that for me,” he said at the time of his appointment to the Adams State Board of Trustees.

When he became a trustee, Tandberg said he believes Adams State’s core mission is to offer high quality, accessible postsecondary education.

Adams State will be searching for its third president in eight years. The university also will be searching for a vice president of student affairs following the resignation of Henry Robinson who was in the position for a year.

Adams State’s announcement on Tandberg is here.

Earlier coverage: https://www.alamosacitizen.com/lovell-out-as-adams-state-president/

Vice President Student Affairs resigns: https://www.alamosacitizen.com/adams-state-vp-student-affairs-resigns/