We are excited to announce that Montez Butts has been hired as the Executive Director of the Lory Student Center! Montez joined the staff on August 3, 2026. In this role, he will provide strategic leadership for one of the university’s most dynamic campus communities. With more than 20 years of experience in residence life, student affairs, belonging initiatives, and student union leadership, Montez is recognized as a relational leader who believes authentic relationships, collaboration, and trust are the foundation of transformational leadership and student success. His career includes leadership roles at the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Colorado Boulder, where he has remained committed to cultivating welcoming, student-centered environments that foster connection, engagement, and belonging. As he joins the Colorado State University community, he looks forward to building meaningful partnerships and advancing the vital role student unions play as the heart of campus life.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Montez and his fraternal twin brother moved with their mother to Denver, Colorado, in pursuit of greater educational opportunities. Raised in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, he is a proud first-generation college graduate. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Human Communication. He later earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a specialization in Higher Education Student Affairs Leadership. Montez is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership for Educational Equity at the University of Colorado Denver, where his research focuses on the lived experiences of Black women executive administrators at predominantly White institutions.
Passionate about student success, student union leadership, leadership development, and creating cultures of belonging, Montez is committed to developing people, building strong partnerships, and fostering campus communities where every student, staff, and faculty member feels valued, connected, and empowered to thrive. His relational leadership approach centers authenticity, collaboration, service, and shared purpose, ensuring that institutional decisions are grounded in both people and mission.
A very special thanks to our search team: Dr. Ryan Barone, Amber Sanchez, Rob Patchett, Jakye Nunley, Amber Ramoz, Geoffrey Valdez, Ty Smith, and Jennifer Fisher.