Welcome Back – Marking 60 years of excellence!

Dear Roadrunners,

Welcome to a fresh academic year at Metropolitan State University of Denver! I hope you were able to take some time this summer to relax and recharge before we dive back into our work as a leader in social and economic mobility for students. When our students succeed, the state of Colorado succeeds, and YOU are a vital part of that.

We are beginning a new era here on campus this fall, with the groundbreaking for our Student Housing building (which includes a home for the Classroom to Career Hub) and the Health Institute Tower. And the Auraria Campus has several projects underway!

It doesn’t end with physical infrastructure; we’re moving into the next phase of implementation on the new student-information system, where we’re taking the lessons learned from our Workday rollout to improve the SIS transition. These long-term investments, both physical and digital, are funded separately from our operational budget, allowing us to enhance our campus and innovate without affecting the resources that support our daily work.

We’re also keeping a close eye on external forces. State and federal budget changes will pose challenges, but we are in a strong, healthy position. Our Government Affairs team and campus experts are working tirelessly to make sure legislators understand the exceptional value you deliver every day. We’ll meet these challenges with creativity and innovation, together.

We are the third-largest but most important university in Colorado. Here’s what our collective impact looks like:

• 112,000+ alumni.
• MSU Denver graduates earn 73% more on average annually compared with high school graduates in Colorado.
• 96% of our students are from Colorado, and 75% stay here long term.
• We are the Number ONE transfer destination for Coloradans.
• Nearly $1 billion in collective economic impact annually.

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent lives changed, communities strengthened and a future made brighter because of the work you do every day.

We know our faculty and staff are the driving force behind our success, which is why we’re committed to a talent-first model that truly sets us apart — making this a place where accomplished professionals, scholars and educators want to work. Nearly 70% of our expenses go directly to supporting employees, and 100% of classes are taught by faculty, giving students direct access to experts in their fields. This approach — rare among universities — delivers more personalized instruction, deeper mentorship and richer learning experiences that prepare students for real-world success.

I can’t wait to reconnect in celebration of our 60th anniversary and discuss priorities for the year with Provost Makley at our Fall Welcome Back on Aug. 28. We’ve been rising to the challenge of preparing Coloradans for the workforce for 60 years, and I have no doubt this one will be no exception. Let’s begin this semester with the creativity, energy and brilliance that define Roadrunners everywhere.

Be brilliant,

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.