Metropolitan State University of Denver is applying for the 2026 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement.

The framework recognizes institutions for their diversity and commitment to their local communities. MSU Denver has long since declared its commitment to the public as an anchor institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution and has developed deep and far-reaching ties throughout the Denver metropolitan area and across Colorado.  

With support from MSU Denver leadership, Elizabeth Parmelee, Ph.D., associate vice president of Undergraduate Studies, and Vincent Piturro, Ph.D., professor of English, are leading a task force whose members will spearhead the two-year Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement application process.  

Members include:

  • Cecily Cullen, director and curator, Center for Visual Arts 
  • Jason Eric Miller, Ph.D., professor, English 
  • Toni Aho, assistant director of equity and student-leadership programs, Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion  
  • Tracy Sagalow, studio staff, Art 
  • Waleska Rivera-Shon, experiential-learning program manager, Classroom to Career Hub 

Launching the task force 

On Sept. 14, members held a kickoff gala where task-force members were announced and two faculty members were recognized for their commitment to community engagement.  

Congratulations to the winners of the Faculty Senate Awards for Civic and Community Engaged Excellence:  

  • Christina Foust, Ph.D., chair and associate professor, Communication Studies 
  • Nicole Predki, advisor, senior lecturer and co-director of Dance Program, Theatre and Dance 
  • Leslie Merrill Schmidt, advisor, senior lecturer and co-director of Dance Program, Theatre and Dance 

Get involved

Help the task force with the Carnegie application by adding your CCE projects in the online platform Collaboratory. The platform gathers data on civic- and community-engaged programs and projects and allows MSU Denver to track engagement and impact.  

Please contact Cheyenne Calderon, Collaboratory student-support staff, for help in establishing a Collaboratory profile for logging a project.  

For questions about the application and the overall process, please visit the Carnegie Application website.