“It’s a law! You can now officially call yourselves Metropolitan State University of Denver,” then-Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed 10 years ago today after signing SB12-148. The bill officially sealed the institution’s transition from college to university, kicking off a decade of growth, success and academic excellence.
From college to university
In July 2010, MSU Denver received final approval and accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission to proceed with three planned master’s-degree programs, the institution’s first-ever graduate-level offerings. The inaugural programs responded directly to community needs and included Teacher Education, Professional Accountancy and Social Work. Their establishment also qualified the institution for University status and prompted leaders to seek the first name change in the then-college’s history.
Fall 2011 Commencement marked a transformative milestone in MSU Denver’s history — the graduation of its first five graduate students in Professional Accountancy and Teacher Education.
The next big milestone came April 18, 2012, when the institution officially became Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Becoming a higher-education leader
MSU Denver has been busier than ever this past decade working to become a top-choice institution for Colorado students and beyond. In the past decade, MSU Denver has:
- Added more than 32,200 new Roadrunners to the alumni family, surpassing the 100,000-graduate milestone.
- Increased first-generation enrollment from 31.5% to 57.7%.
- Increased the undergraduate student-of-color population from 31.6% to 50.3%.
- Debuted more than 40 new majors and seven new graduate programs.
- Expanded the campus footprint to include the
- Hospitality Learning Center.
- Assembly Athletic Complex.
- Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building.
Since becoming MSU Denver, the institution has taken even more strides toward academic excellence and has become a leader in higher education, driving important conversations, legislation and change. Among many successes over the past decade, MSU Denver faculty members, staff members, trustees, alumni and students have:
- Led the charge on the passage of the ASSET bill; committed to becoming an anti-racist institution; become a national leader in diversity, equity and inclusion; and defended Dreamers and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act.
- Created Pathways to Possible and helped older learners complete degrees.
- Earned Hispanic-Serving Institution status.
- Honored the history of our campus through the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship.
- Partnered with industry leaders to create new learning opportunities.
- Reduced financial barriers to education.
- Become a leader in serving military and veteran students.
- Created opportunities in STEM education for women and minority students.
- Helped reimagine community health, wellness, mental health and emergency response.
- Engaged students in the democratic process and in public service.
- Shown our LGBTQIA+ pride.
- Advocated for the humanities.
- Helped students experiencing homelessness and hunger.
- Hosted inspiring TEDxMSUDenver events.
- Pioneered more accessible ways to learn.
- Celebrated artists, authors, musicians and creatives.
Looking to the future
“The Roadrunner spirit has carried the University for nearly six decades, preparing a well-educated workforce for Colorado,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “Now is the time for MSU Denver to reach its full potential. Through innovative and transformative education, the University will prepare each person who enrolls to pursue their dreams of greater social and economic mobility while also building a more equitable Colorado.”
Over the next 10 years, MSU Denver intends to amplify national awareness of its signature educational experience of meeting students where they are, while enhancing its role of providing affordable and transformative undergraduate and graduate education for any student in pursuit of the American dream.
Learn more about what’s on the horizon for MSU Denver by visiting the 2030 Strategic Plan website.