In her annual Welcome Back address last week, Metropolitan State University of Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., began by asking employees to get in formation — flight formation, that is.
After recovering and stabilizing following the Covid-19 pandemic, she said, the University is ready to double down on its founding mission: to prepare Coloradans for the modern workforce, with a laser-focus on student success.
“We have recovered from the disorientation of the Covid-19 spin, stopped our nosedive, and stabilized our systems, our enrollment and our mindsets,” Davidson told hundreds of faculty and staff members gathered at the King Center on Thursday. “All of you here today are the pilots of this grand formation, and our students’ success is the mission.”
After reciting the University’s three priorities – students, students, students – Davidson urged employees to reaffirm MSU Denver’s role as a student-centered teaching university and to strategically focus on student success, retention and workforce development.
There are two job openings for every available worker in the state, and 75% of jobs require post-secondary education. MSU Denver is poised to address this gap, and the University’s mission aligns well with Gov. Jared Polis’ vision of blurring the boundaries between education and industry.
“We are the solution to Colorado’s workforce needs and we are the place where changemaking happens,” Davidson said.
Building forward momentum
Davidson also made a surprise announcement. Efforts to “stop the drop” have paid off, with the retention curve flattening and enrollment up 1.48% compared to fall 2022. This means full-time, non-classified employees will receive a one-time, $800 stipend in their October paychecks.
“Higher enrollment provides resources to move the flywheel that serves our students,” Davidson said. “As we invest these added resources in … student services, retention improves, student outcomes improve, and our reputation and brand improve. We can work more efficiently and effectively on our student-centric mission. We have more resources to do our jobs — and to pay our people better. Most importantly, we help more students realize their dreams and turn more Coloradans into Changemakers.”
More from University leaders and partners
- Following Davidson’s remarks, Provost Ad Interim Marie Mora, Ph.D., and Will Simpkins, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs, moderated a conversation with the University’s six deans, giving each an opportunity to share their vision for the coming year – and crack a few jokes.
- Kaycee Gerhart, executive director of government affairs, took the stage with student Virginia Navarro, an Exercise Science major, to discuss how MSU Denver is working with local and state governments to carve pathways so that all Coloradans get the education they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
- Attendees heard from industry partners representing Hensel Phelps and the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association. Maluwa Behringer, executive director of Industry Partnerships within the Classroom to Career Hub, led a conversation on the value of collaborating with employers to pair theory with practice via experiential learning opportunities.
- University Communications and Marketing officially launched the “Changemakers Wanted” campaign, and Davidson welcomed the six inspiring students featured in the first round of ads to the stage. All Roadrunners are invited to share their own Changemaker stories for a chance to win concert tickets and be featured in the campaign.
Watch the Welcome Back recording to learn more and take the post-event survey to provide feedback that will help improve next year’s event.
President's Welcome Back 2023 from MSU Denver on Vimeo.