Recently appointed Deputy Provost Marie Mora, Ph.D., might be new to Metropolitan State University of Denver, but her impressive résumé showcases her commitment to learning, strengthening institutions of higher education and creating spaces and opportunities for all students and educators.
Mora has been a faculty member at public institutions of higher education for 27 years. Many of those institutions have had Hispanic-Serving Institution status and large first-generation, nontraditional and adult-learner populations. Like many leaders, she was drawn to MSU Denver because of the University’s work to be a social-mobility leader and its commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
“It is difficult for me to see where DEI work stops and other work begins — DEI needs to be fully integrated into Academic Affairs and across the institution or professional discipline,” Mora said. “One person can indeed make a difference, and I am honored to have helped open doors for others for whom they might have remained shut.
“Moreover, I am very excited to have the opportunity to work closely with Provost Alfred Tatum, who has made a clear and demonstrated commitment to DEI, not only as an academic administrator and leader but also as an accomplished scholar,” she continued. “It will also be exciting to work under President Janine Davidson, who is a champion of the role public universities play in holding the line on the American dream.”
“Dr. Mora, an intellectual and administrative leader of high repute, will have a positive impact on MSU Denver for years to come,” Tatum said. “This was a game-changing hire for our University.”
Résumé snapshot
- Mora helped lead the inaugural strategic-planning process at the University of Texas Rio Grande, including drafting the institution’s vision, mission and values.
- A founding member and former president of the American Society of Hispanic Economists and a recipient of the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, Mora led initiatives to diversify the economics profession and promote gender and racial equity among STEM and other faculty members at her institutions.
- Serving in the provost’s role at the University of Missouri-St. Louis during the pandemic required Mora to collaboratively make tough budgetary decisions while minimizing the impact on student success. She also was part of that university’s first-ever strategic enrollment-planning process.
- As a member of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education board of directors, Mora is developing an in-depth understanding of educational and economic issues experienced by Hispanics/Latinos in higher education across the country.
- Her research has helped inform policy discussions around labor-market outcomes, education, health and economic security, and she has shared her insights with the White House, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, various Federal Reserve district banks and others.
- She continues to research the socioeconomic outcomes of different Hispanic/Latino populations, including Puerto Ricans on the island and mainland.
Mora spoke with the Early Bird recently about her experience as an economist and her early days in the Denver area and shared a fun fact about her first-ever publication.
EB: How will your expertise as an economist, specifically one who has studied socioeconomic issues surrounding communities of color, inform your work as deputy provost?
Mora: Since many of MSU Denver’s students are part of the demographic groups I have studied, I have deeper insights into how MSU Denver can provide educational and experiential opportunities that will increase access to good jobs, economic security and the likelihood of better health outcomes. Moreover, I was recently invited to serve on the Academic Advisory Board of the Economic Policy Institute. Their focus on low- and middle-income workers is particularly relevant to MSU Denver, given the students we serve. I will be able to use information I learn from working with the other board members and the EPI staff to help inform decisions we make at MSU Denver.
EB: What excites you about joining not only the University community but also the Denver community?
Mora: Denver is an amazing metropolitan area, and I’m excited about its diversity. I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and am excited to be back in the Southwest! When I was in elementary school, my parents moved (our family) a few times before returning to Albuquerque, including to Littleton. This will date me, but I went to first grade in Castle Rock since the elementary school in Littleton was under construction. I’ve been to Denver over the years to attend various conferences as well.
EB: Is there anything you’d like your new colleagues to know about you?
Mora: One fun fact is that my first publication was not an academic-journal article but a couple of recipes published in Bon Appétit when I was in graduate school. I still enjoy cooking. My husband and I also love traveling.