CSU Global Signals Shift from Enrollment to Outcomes with New VP Role

DENVER, CO – November 25, 2025 – In a move that reflects a significant strategic shift across the online higher education landscape, Colorado State University Global has promoted veteran insider Jerid Counterman to the newly created role of Vice President of Student Achievement and Academic Operations. The appointment signals a deliberate pivot from a historical focus on enrollment growth to a new imperative: delivering and demonstrating measurable student return on investment (ROI).

Counterman, who has been with the 100% online public university since 2013 and is an alumnus himself, will now lead all initiatives related to student engagement, program completion, and career success. The creation of his role is emblematic of a broader trend where institutions, facing a saturated market and increased scrutiny, are restructuring leadership to prioritize tangible student outcomes over sheer enrollment numbers.

"Jerid embodies the student-first approach that defines our university," said Dr. Audra Spicer, Acting President at CSU Global, in the announcement. "His leadership has already been transformative in building programming, services, and communications that improve student engagement and outcomes, and we are confident he will continue to drive success in this new role."

The New Currency: Student ROI

For years, the primary metric of success for many online universities was rapid enrollment growth. However, as the market has become crowded with competitors like Western Governors University (WGU) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), the focus has shifted. The new currency is student success, measured in concrete terms: graduation rates, post-graduation employment, salary increases, and manageable debt. Universities are now in a race to prove their value, and executive roles are being redefined to meet that challenge.

The title “VP of Student Achievement” is becoming more common as institutions build frameworks dedicated to combating student attrition and ensuring learners don't just enroll, but also complete their programs and advance their careers. CSU Global’s decision to appoint a leader specifically tasked with overseeing student ROI places it squarely within this movement. The university’s model, designed for working adults and post-traditional learners, depends on demonstrating that the investment of time and money leads to professional advancement. Publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard shows CSU Global graduates have a median earning of $76,813, significantly higher than the national midpoint for four-year college graduates, lending credibility to its ROI-centric model.

Data as the Bedrock of Student Support

At the heart of this strategic shift is the sophisticated use of data analytics to personalize and scale student support. The press release credits Counterman's “data-informed approach” with improving retention, and his track record provides a clear blueprint for how technology can be leveraged to foster student success in an online environment.

In a previous role as Director of Student Experience, Counterman spearheaded the implementation of an AI-powered chatbot and two-way texting platform. This technology was not merely a passive Q&A tool; it was designed to proactively engage students, especially those who might be at risk of “quietly disappearing” from their online courses. According to a case study on the project, the system answered over 45,000 questions in its first year and achieved a 50% engagement rate with targeted communication campaigns, providing the university with invaluable data on student needs and intentions while saving significant staff hours.

This data-driven methodology is likely a key factor behind the university’s reported 84% average retention rate for FY25—a figure reflecting students who have taken at least one course in three consecutive terms. While this internal metric differs from federal reporting standards, which often fail to accurately capture the journey of non-traditional students, it highlights the institution's intense focus on continuous student engagement. By linking academic operations like tutoring and library services directly with student achievement outcomes, Counterman’s new role aims to create a seamless support ecosystem where data predicts student needs and resources are deployed proactively, not reactively.

Stability and Strategy in a Time of Transition

The promotion of a 12-year veteran and alumnus also sends a powerful message about institutional stability and strategy, particularly as it occurs while Dr. Spicer serves as Acting President. Promoting from within signals a commitment to the university’s established, student-centric culture during a period of leadership change. It suggests a strategy of doubling down on what the university views as its core strength—a holistic and operationally excellent approach to online student support.

By placing a leader with deep institutional knowledge and a proven record of data-driven innovation at the helm of student success, CSU Global is making a clear statement about its priorities. The goal is no longer just to provide access to education, but to architect a system that ensures every student has the support structure needed to cross the finish line and achieve a tangible return on their educational investment.

"CSU Global's mission is about empowering students to achieve their personal and professional goals, and I am excited to continue leading our student services and academic operations to enable their success," Counterman stated. "Our focus will remain on building flexible, career-relevant, and streamlined operational structures and resources that allow every student to succeed from their first course to graduation and beyond."