A visionary and transformational higher education leader with nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Pirius joined Red Rocks from the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). There, he served in several leadership positions—most recently the vice chancellor for academic and student affairs—and was involved in legislative efforts to improve college affordability and expand Colorado workforce development programs, including Care Forward Colorado and Career Advance Colorado.
Prior to his time at CCCS, Dr. Pirius impacted students and communities in the Minnesota State system. He held succeeding positions at North Hennepin Community College, concluding his time there as vice president for academic and student affairs. He began his 20-year community college career at Inver Hills Community College, where he advanced from director of enrollment to associate dean to dean of students over the course of seven years. Dr. Pirius’s first post-college job was in the academic records department of Minneapolis-based Walden University. There, he worked his way up to director of graduate admissions.
A graduate of the prestigious Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship and a passionate advocate for education, Dr. Pirius has served on several boards and commissions, including the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Alliance Executive Committee and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Currently, he is a board member for Complete College America and the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation.
Dr. Pirius holds a PhD and a Master of Arts in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Russian studies and environmental studies from Gustavus Adolphus College.
