Metropolitan State University of Denver continues to garner national recognition for its leadership in serving and advocating for undocumented students.
MSU Denver was one of only six institutions in the nation to receive the inaugural SUCCESS Award from TheDream.US, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, and Immigrants Rising on March 29. The award recognizes institutions that are supporting undocumented students’ access and success on their campuses and beyond. MSU Denver General Counsel David Fine, J.D., accepted the award on the University’s behalf alongside representatives from Bunker Hill Community College, The City University of New York, Dominican University, Florida International University and University of Houston.
In a statement, the awarding organizations applauded MSU Denver’s Immigrant Services Program, noting that “the staff there have been exceptional in their work with students, in their proactive support of undocumented and immigrant students, securing additional funding and more.”
“Every time MSU Denver is recognized for its commitment to our undocumented and DACA students, it reaffirms that the work is valuable and necessary, but really it’s all for our Roadrunners,” said Manuel Del Real, Ph.D., executive director for HSI and Inclusion at MSU Denver. “It’s also important to remember that this work happens, and this award represents the vision, commitment and efforts of numerous faculty and staff members as well as student employees and peer advocates.”
Since achieving Hispanic-Serving Institution status in 2019, MSU Denver has led the way in expanding educational access for undocumented and DACA-recipient students, investing in the Immigrant Services Program, establishing the Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program, pursuing federal funding to create new learning opportunities for all students, celebrating campus diversity through HSI Week festivities and more.
The University is also the only higher education institution in Colorado and region to earn the prestigious Seal of Excelencia and has been named a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award winner for 10 consecutive years. In 2023, the University also earned Fulbright HSI Leader designation. As of 2023, more than 35% of MSU Denver students are Latino.
“Earning this kind of national recognition puts MSU Denver in great company, and I am heartened to know how many institutions share our vision for a more inclusive and equitable future for higher education,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “Our commitment to the values and vision that led to this recognition make our programs and educational offerings stronger for all students.”