Building FY27: Invest in people. Fund what works. Find efficiency.

Dear Roadrunners, 

Looking across campus this fall, you see the energy of new and returning students, proof of our enrollment growth and record high retention. You also see the bustle of construction. These visible signs of progress remind us of both our momentum and our responsibility to safeguard our financial future as state and federal pressures mount.

As we build our fiscal 2027 budget, my charge to you is:

Align people with priorities: Metropolitan State University of Denver is a people-centric operation, with about 70% of our expenses directly funding our excellent employees. We must retain top talent and ensure the work we’re each doing is fueling the flywheel. In doing so, I ask you to think about how we can more effectively use people and align their roles for real impact. If you have a vacant role on your team, review the position and consider how the role can best serve our priorities.

Proven student success: We must continue to focus on proven student success measures, using data to demonstrate successful student outcomes. Don’t just tell the campus that an effort drives retention — demonstrate it through data, and that’s where we’ll put our funding.

Elevate the Roadrunner experience: We need to deliver an exceptional experience to every Roadrunner, with every interaction building a sense of belonging. As we allocate our resources for fiscal 2027, which runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, we want to hear how the funds will help you deliver extraordinary service.

We have to continue to do things better and more efficiently. Anticipated shifts in state revenue will require us to assess our efforts collaboratively. We need to break down silos and take a holistic view — identifying duplicative programs, removing barriers and channeling resources where they will have the greatest impact.

As we begin our fiscal 2027 budget development, my challenge to you all is to think about people first and where they can make the biggest difference. Use data to prove what works, and bring ideas to help us function even more smoothly in service to our students. Learn more about the University’s budget process, and share ideas with your department leaders or UPBAC representative to help shape MSU Denver’s future.

Sincerely, 

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President, MSU Denver