Colorado State University Pueblo Alumna, Shelli Brunswick Announced as Commencement Speaker
Release Date: March 11, 2022
Pueblo— Colorado State University Pueblo welcomes Shelli Brunswick, Space Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, for the Spring 2022 on-campus Commencement ceremonies at the ThunderBowl on Saturday, May 7. Commencement will include two separate in-person graduation ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
“CSU Pueblo is honored to welcome back an incredible mentor, role model, and trailblazer like Shelli. Her voice and vision will bring astronomical perspectives to graduates as they set out on their new, life-changing journey,” said CSU Pueblo President Timothy Mottet.
Brunswick graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CSU Pueblo while establishing her career in the U.S. Air Force. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Brunswick began her profession in the U.S. Air Force as a high school graduate and continued into a 29-year career as a space acquisition and program management leader, and as a congressional liaison. She joined the Space Foundation as Chief Operating Officer in 2015 and worked as the Acting Chief Executive Officer from 2016 to 2017.
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to provide information, education and collaboration for space exploration and space-to-Earth industries that define the global space ecosystem. Space Foundation operates three main divisions, the Symposium 365, the Center for Innovation and Education, and the Global Alliance, that work to incorporate business, government, education and local communities.
Among her many honors and awards, Brunswick was the recipient of WomenTech Network’s 2021 Global Technology Leadership Award, AreoTime’s 2021 Aviation Achievement Award, and the Colorado Springs Business Journal’s Women of Influence 2020 Award.
Brunswick is no stranger to large audiences. She has delivered more than 100 speeches and presentations in 2021 alone on navigating career success and workforce development to audiences in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
This year’s two Commencement ceremonies will have no guest limit for graduates. However, tickets for the ceremony must be reserved in advance by visiting the official Commencement website. The ticketing site will open for graduates on March 18.
The 8:30 a.m. ceremony will recognize the graduates of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and the Division of Extended Studies. The 12 p.m. ceremony will recognize the graduates in the College of Health, Education and Nursing, and the Hasan School of Business.
“Commencement is a day of celebration for the students and their families. It is also a day of celebration for the faculty and staff members who see the fruits of their labor in those soon-to-be graduates,” said Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Mohamed Abdelrahman. “We watch proudly as our students stride to receive their diplomas with a hopeful smile on their faces to the cheers of their loved ones. Commencement is a happy day!”
While masks will not be required, CSU Pueblo continues to work closely with the Pueblo Department of Health and Environment for campus and ceremony updates.
For more information about Commencement please visit the Commencement website here. Additional details and updates will be communicated through student email, campus communication, the university website, and official CSU Pueblo social media accounts.
