MSU Denver is a leader in developing mutually beneficial industry partnerships and impactful philanthropic investment opportunities. Through sustained engagement with local and regional partners, the Corporate and Foundation Relations team seeks to support students’ academic and career goals while expanding the university’s positive economic, cultural, and social impact.
The CFR team brings a collaborative and integrated approach to developing partnerships based on shared mission, common vision, and innovative spirit. Engage with MSU Denver to solve business challenges and gain a competitive edge through diverse talent pipelines, innovative projects, and thought-provoking research, as well as strong academic programs, continuing education opportunities, or strategic philanthropic support.
Why Invest in MSU Denver?
An investment in MSU Denver is a social and economic investment in Colorado, improving the lives of
residents while contributing to the state’s economic future. As the only public, four-year, open-access university in Colorado—and one of the most affordable—MSU Denver is uniquely positioned to transform lives through high-quality, accessible education as it realizes its vision of being a nationally-recognized leader of social mobility.
This unique higher-education model attracts a unique student body. Many undergraduates fall outside the mold of the traditional college student, whether they transfer from another institution, are already working full-time, or are pursuing their degree later in life. Further, the University was officially designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in 2019 and has one of the most diverse student bodies in the state. Through its dedication to student access, MSU Denver has built itself into an institution that opens doors for all, meeting students where they are and launching them toward where they want to go.
Additionally, MSU Denver plays a vital role in the Colorado economy. In the past decade, Colorado has faced an education crisis, often labeled the “Colorado paradox.” Despite the influx of companies and professionals flocking to Denver and beyond, the local talent pool is undereducated as it relates to current workforce needs. The University stands tall among its competitors in addressing imbalance, as 97% of its 95,000 graduates come from Colorado, and over 80% stay in the state after graduating. Thus, the vast majority of the $134.9 billion generated by MSU Denver alumni throughout their careers has been infused into the local economy, along with the University’s $703.4 annual economic impact.
Success Stories
In partnership with Bank of America through their Progresando initiative, MSU Denver is recruiting and retaining Latinx students interested in health-related careers. By participating in cohorts housed within MSU Denver’s Health Institute, students receive a network of support and peer connections, mentorship, as well as paid internship opportunities that alleviate the financial burden that accompanies often unpaid but required experiential learning in many health fields. Retention rates for students who participate in this cohort program range from 86% to 100%, which vastly exceeds overall student retention rates of 63-67%. With Bank of America’s support, MSU Denver is able to scale the cohort size, thereby increasing the number of students engaged in the program, supporting a diverse healthcare workforce, and increasing health access among traditionally underserved communities.
In support of MSU Denver’s newly launched graduate program of Speech-Language Pathology, the Scottish Rite Foundation has partnered with the University through its Treasure Chest Program, a family-focused language and literacy program designed to supplement and foster parent-child interaction through parent education, support, and high-quality materials, books, and activities to families of preschool-age children. This support will enhance the SLHS Department’s existing family-centered communication services, allowing the department to reach an more children and families and increase hands-on learning opportunities for graduate students.
MSU Denver has partnered with the Western Union Foundation to develop an Immigrant Services Scholarship program. Built on a network of support offered by MSU Denver’s Immigrant Services, the program improves accessibility to higher education for immigrant students through scholarships, peer mentoring, and wraparound support. Participants are thoughtfully engaged through social and leadership development opportunities, fostering a sense of community and encouraging personal and professional growth throughout their college experience. This works in tandem with a variety of career engagement activities through the Classroom to Career Hub that ensure students are well-prepared to enter post-graduate life.
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