Manuel Del Real, Ph.D., is always in motion. A natural activator, Del Real can’t overlook a problem that needs solving. Since joining Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2020 as executive director of HSI Initiatives and Inclusion, he has poured his energy into building structures and systems that tackle challenges head-on and ensure that sustainable solutions exist beyond him.
“I want to leave things better than I found them,” Del Real said. “It’s not about me; it’s about making sure what we build today lasts beyond us. That’s what service is all about.”
Grounded in his north Denver roots, Del Real has a passion for community that stems from his upbringing. “My parents lived in the north side for 45 years,” he said. “Their stories and their sense of community shaped me.”
Del Real fondly recalls his father’s relationship with Don Juan, the owner of Rosales Mexican Bakery, a local institution. “My dad is from Mexico, and when he came here, he made friends with Don Juan right away. He was very welcoming,” Del Real said. “Even now, when my dad goes to the bakery, Don Juan’s daughters recognize him. They’ll say, ‘We know who you are.’ It’s these stories, this sense of connection and belonging, that I want to hold on to and carry forward.”
Manuel Del Real, Ph.D., meets to discuss MSU Denver HSI Initiatives during a Community Cabinet meeting. Photo by Josh Geurink
As a Denver Public Schools student, Del Real took college courses on the Auraria Campus through the Upward Bound program. When he headed to the University of Denver for college, where he founded the first Latino-based fraternity in DU’s history: Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc.
“I’m not the kind of person who says, ‘Here’s a problem; someone else will solve it,’” Del Real said. “If I see a gap, I think about what needs to happen to fix it.”
Through the fraternity, Del Real honed his skills in time management, social justice and public service. A mentor encouraged him to consider higher education as a career, and a fraternity brother recruited him to Iowa State University, where he earned his doctorate. Since then, Del Real has made academia his professional home, helping students feel the sense of belonging he worked so hard to build for himself.
Championing MSU Denver’s Hispanic-serving vision
At MSU Denver, Del Real is a key force behind the University’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a status granted to colleges where at least 25% of undergraduate students identify as Hispanic or Latinx. But for Del Real, being an HSI is about more than a percentage. “Servingness is not a checkpoint,” he said. “It’s an ongoing process. My goal is for every student at MSU Denver to feel supported, to know they belong and to have an amazing experience.”
Manuel Del Real at the LatinX graduation ceremony on May 1, 2024. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Under Del Real’s leadership, MSU Denver has strengthened its support for Hispanic students, who now make up 37% of the University’s student body — the highest percentage of any higher-education institution in Colorado. He has helped the University secure over $15 million in HSI grant funding to enhance student access, support and success. Del Real also spearheaded MSU Denver’s successful application for the 2023 Seal of Excelencia certification, making it the first institution in Colorado to achieve this prestigious designation.
Del Real’s work extends to fostering collaboration across institutions. He co-founded the Colorado HSI Consortium and led efforts to host the state’s inaugural HSI Summit, bringing educators together to share strategies for equity and student success.
Balancing busyness with purpose
Beyond his work at MSU Denver, Del Real’s calendar reflects his deep commitment to service. He is a past president of the Colorado Coalition for the Educational Advancement of Latinxs, supports multiple student organizations as an advisor and still finds time to lend his expertise to his neighborhood homeowners association.
“People always ask me, ‘How do you sleep?’” Del Real said with a laugh. “It’s all about time management — and passion. I genuinely love what I do.”
Despite his packed schedule, Del Real’s enthusiasm remains constant. His energy fuels his mission to create lasting change, whether by mentoring students, building systems for success or advocating for equity.
“My family and my faith have always taught me the importance of giving back,” he said. “If I can help others, if I can make their lives better, that’s what drives me.”
With the systems he builds and the initiatives he launches, Del Real’s legacy at MSU Denver is clear: a commitment to empowering others and creating solutions that last.
