Watch Fall 2024 Commencement Livestream

Header image for Davidson's Desk president's newsletterApril 5, 2022

Greetings,

I have often said in my nearly five years at MSU Denver that this University is the best-kept secret in the state. MSU Denver opened in 1965, more than 100 years after Colorado’s first university was established, so it has had some catching up to do in terms of name recognition and reputation.

Just over a year ago, we celebrated our 100,000th graduate, and more than half of those alumni live within 25 miles of campus. They work in our schools and hospitals, own businesses, serve Coloradans through nonprofit and government jobs, and so much more. Roadrunners have a huge positive impact on their communities, and more and more people are starting to take notice. We just hosted our annual Day of Giving and exceeded our donor goal with gifts from 1,144 people. If you're one of those people or you contribute to MSU Denver in any way, thank you for being part of the Roadrunner family!

That’s why I’m kicking off this quarterly newsletter now – I want everyone to know about the amazing things Roadrunners are doing, before and after graduation. I want you to see world-class expertise in action from MSU Denver faculty and hear the lengths that our hard-working staff go to in order to serve students. This is a truly excellent institution with a critical mission in Colorado, and that’s what this platform will be used to demonstrate. This is also the place to get early insights into partnership opportunities, innovative student-support programming, and key events and initiatives highlighting public service, social justice and education trends, among others.

I’ll also be breaking down my thoughts on news and topics important to the Roadrunner community such as the crisis in Ukraine or “Breaking down bias on International Women’s Day.”

Below you will find news from campus, including stories from our award-winning website RED, covering the latest Colorado news and culture. You’ll see curated examples of “MSU Denver in the news,” where local and national media are covering issues that matter featuring Roadrunners and campus experts. Then you’ll find select upcoming events that I encourage you to put on your calendars, so you can be a part of the great things going on at MSU Denver.

Thanks for staying in touch!

Sincerely,

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President, MSU Denver

Want to receive Davidson's Desk via email? Subscribe here.


MSU Denver in the News

Ukraine is changing the world order, just not how Putin hoped (Bloomberg)
Fiona Hill, former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, spoke at the President's Speaker Series at MSU Denver about Vladimir Putin's "post-imperial, post-colonial land grab" in Ukraine.

'What is the face of fentanyl?' (Denver7)
Faculty experts from MSU Denver were joined by clinical social workers, lawmakers, medical professionals, counselors, public school representatives and more for a campus panel on the dangers of fentanyl and prevention measures.

MSU Denver Food Pantry working to reach more students (9NEWS)
Food insecurity is on the rise, with 29% of students at four-year colleges affected, according to a recent national survey from the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice. MSU Denver is trying to help with its food pantry.

Amazon partners with Colorado institutions to provide hourly employees tuition reimbursement (Denver Gazette)
Amazon has expanded its Career Choice program to offer its hourly employees fully funded college tuition in partnership with more than 140 colleges and universities, including MSU Denver.


Stories from MSU Denver

Promise of free tuition aims to eliminate financial barriers to college
MSU Denver expands financial aid program that will make higher education more accessible to hundreds of Coloradans.

Jazz great and influential music educator Ron Miles dies at age 58
Legendary Denver trumpeter and cornetist was among the greatest improvisers and composers of his generation.

On the front lines of exploitation
How the next generation of hospitality professionals is leading the fight against human trafficking.

Russian invasion test the international order
MSU Denver President Janine Davidson, former undersecretary of the Navy, says NATO alliance and nuclear weapons dictate the terms of involvement in Ukraine.



Upcoming MSU Denver Events

April 7-8, 2022
HEDS365: Higher Education Diversity Summit
Learn about strengthening the Auraria Campus as a Hispanic-Serving Institution at this free two-day event hosted by MSU Denver, in partnership with Community College of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. The summit theme is “Leaning Critically Into HSI/MSI (Minority-Serving Institution) Servingness” and the event aims to bring institutions on Auraria together to collaborate on better ways to serve a diverse student population. Register for HEDS365.

April 18, 2022 | 2-3 p.m.
President's Fireside Chat with Mayor Hancock
You're invited to attend a President’s Fireside Chat with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock hosted by President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. Mayor Hancock and Davidson will have an engaging discussion on the relationship between MSU Denver and the City and County of Denver, the importance of civic engagement and public service, a reflection on the Mayor’s 11 years in office and more. RSVP for the fireside chat.

May 13, 2022 | 9:30-11:30 a.m., 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Spring Commencement
Celebrate MSU Denver graduates at the Denver Coliseum, featuring keynotes from Rep. Leslie Herod (morning ceremony) and Yolanda Ortega (afternoon ceremony) as well as student award winners. MSU Denver will also present former trustee Rob Cohen, the chairman and CEO of IMA Financial Group Inc., with the Marathon Award. More info on Spring 2022 Commencement.