This new program connects students with experienced business leaders through mentorship and professional development.
October 26, 2026
What does it take to turn a business degree into a successful career? For students, the answer often goes beyond what they learn in the classroom. It also means building confidence, making professional connections and learning from people who have navigated the business world firsthand.
That’s the idea behind the new Executive in Residence Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver’s College of Business. Launched this fall, the program connects students with experienced executives who can help them explore career paths, develop professional skills and prepare for life after graduation.
The goal is simple: give students greater access to the knowledge, guidance, and connections that can help them succeed.
The inaugural program brings together students and executives with decades of leadership experience across different industries. This fall, David Walker and Lou Rosen are working directly with students through individual mentoring sessions, group discussions and professional development opportunities.
Their backgrounds offer students different perspectives on leadership, business strategy and navigating complex professional environments. Together, the executives help students connect business concepts to the realities of working in and leading organizations.
Lou Rosen brings more than 35 years of experience leading global manufacturing, engineered products and industrial technology businesses. His career includes serving as president of Gates’ Americas business, leading a private-equity-backed manufacturing company as CEO and holding senior commercial leadership roles at Brink’s.
Rosen’s expertise includes business strategy, organizational development, operational improvement and helping companies grow. Through mentoring, he brings a practical perspective to conversations about leadership, making business decisions and turning strategy into action.
David Walker brings more than 35 years of executive leadership experience across the aerospace, defense and intelligence industries. His background includes driving multibillion-dollar business growth, leading domestic and international business development, and developing global supply chain strategies.
Walker has experience navigating complex business decisions, high-stakes negotiations and collaboration across large organizations. His perspective gives students an opportunity to learn more about executive leadership and the skills needed to succeed in demanding professional environments.
The program’s theme, Building Your Career and Your Confidence, reflects its focus on helping students prepare for life after college.
For its inaugural fall 2026 cohort, students were selected by their professors to participate in this unique mentoring opportunity. These students have demonstrated strong potential, and the program gives them a chance to build on that foundation by learning directly from experienced business executives.
Through individual mentoring with David Walker and Lou Rosen, students can discuss their career goals, ask questions about the business world and gain insight into the challenges and opportunities that come with professional leadership.
The experience also includes small-group sessions and a speaker series covering business topics and career challenges. Students help shape those conversations by identifying subjects relevant to their interests and future goals.
Rather than a traditional classroom experience, the program offers students a space to explore possibilities, learn from one another and build the confidence to take their next steps.
The Executive in Residence Program reflects the MSU Denver College of Business’s commitment to preparing students for opportunities beyond graduation.
By bringing experienced business leaders directly to students, the college is creating opportunities for meaningful mentorship while strengthening its connections with the business community. Those relationships can help inform future workforce preparation and open doors to additional industry engagement.
A business education is about more than earning a degree. It’s about developing the knowledge, skills and confidence to put that degree to work. Through initiatives like the Executive in Residence Program, the College of Business is finding new ways to help students prepare for their futures.
Support comes from MSU Denver’s College of Business, offering flexible programs with real‑world projects and support. Committed to empowering graduates to lead, solve, and inspire.
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