Office and district sought? Colorado University Board of Regents, Third Congressional District
Name: Tilman “Tillie” Bishop
Party affiliation: Republican
Website: Left blank
E-mail: tmbishop@bresnan.net
Age: 73
Last degree earned: MA degree at UNC
Occupation: Mesa County Commissioner (last year of a four year term).
Hobbies: Outdoor recreation and activities, collecting coins.
Family: Wife, Pat; son, Barry.
How long have you lived in Colorado? Where did you live before? I have lived in Colorado all my life. Fifth generation Coloradoan.
Last book read: “The World is Flat” by Thomas L. Friedman
Civic Involvement: Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce; Lions Club; Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Western Colorado Museum; and Western Botanical Garden Society.
Major endorsements: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Why are you running? With my strong background and credentials, I bring some exceptional experience to the CU Board of Regents, such as: public education, higher education, legislature, local government and working with nonprofit foundations and organizations.
What are the top three challenges facing Colorado or the institution you seek to represent?
1. Under funding of higher education – specifically the University of Colorado system and learning to live without Amendment C when it ends in five years.
2. Regaining the confidence of the students, faculty, administration, staff and citizens of Colorado.
3. Getting the University of Colorado (Boulder) back on track of being the university it should be and can be.
What would you do to improve diversity at CU campuses by drawing in underrepresented students?
I would improve and expand some of the current programs and recruitment practices for diversity, especially in the rural and underserved areas of the state and look for new and innovative ways of attracting diversity to the four campuses.
University of Colorado President Hank Brown has given the university a C plus for openness and accountability to the public.
What would you do to improve CU?’s image and restore public trust? I would open up to the public CU’s (system) budgeting process. I would seek some way to televise the Board of Regents board meetings. I would set a time frame (every three/four years) for reviewing and updating all of the university’s public policies and more.
