Early Bird

MSU Denver welcomes Eric Mason

Mason will serve as interim vice president for Strategy, Marketing and Communications.

By Lindsey Coulter

May 27, 2021

Eric Mason joined Metropolitan State University of Denver last week as interim vice president for Strategy, Marketing and Communications.

“Eric brings such a depth of knowledge to MSU Denver, with a career that spans multiple leadership roles across multiple industries,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “I’m excited to hear his ideas for navigating change and how we can build on the foundation Cathy Lucas helped lay with our 2030 Strategic Plan.”

Since 2008, Mason has advised organizations on growth, change management, transitions, strategic development and more. Throughout his career, he has served as co-founder and CEO of RateCoaster, Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, and Headwaters Center and River Journey, and as interim CEO of SpaceAgent. He is currently the interim CEO of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, managing director of Marker Hill Capital, and serves as a startup mentor. He brings decades of expertise in strategy, team, business and partnership development to help the SMC team navigate the transition of leadership, ensuring the team is soundly structured after the pandemic, and also will support the University’s transition back to on-campus operations.

“While strategy work has been a fundamental component of the responsibilities of the (SMC team), this transition period offers an opportunity to reevaluate the strategic elements and orientation,” Mason said. “Given the vast workings of the SMC, we want to ensure the strategy function has its sights focused on the goals and objectives of the University. This is a critical period for MSU Denver and higher education in general, and it seemed to be the perfect time to tighten up the strategic intent of the institution.”

Another of Mason’s primary goals is to assist the University in the search for a permanent vice president.

“The mission is pretty straightforward: ensuring the institution's strength is sound to deliver a high-quality education to students of all types,” Mason said. “It is not often you get an opportunity, even a brief one, to contribute to something that can impact this many lives. I have been fortunate to learn and navigate challenges in numerous small and large organizations throughout my career and, perhaps even more importantly, help solve those challenges for the long term. I thrive working with teams to empower them to be their best and enjoy themselves simultaneously."

Mason is a U.S. Army veteran who holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University. He also completed the Princeton University Executive Management, Business Administration and Management program.