When Elizabeth Hinde, Ph.D., became the founding dean of the School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2014, she was handed a blank slate and a bold mission. Under her leadership, the school has become a national model for teacher preparation and innovation.
Now, after more than 40 years in education, Hinde is preparing to retire in August 2026.
“It has been an absolute joy,” Hinde said about being the founding dean.
“The support and encouragement of University leadership, especially the trustees and president and various provosts over the years, along with the outstanding faculty and staff of the School of Ed, has made my job fulfilling and my whole experience over the last 12 years truly wonderful,” she said.
MSU Denver has been training teachers since 1968. In 2014, the University’s Teacher Education Department evolved into the School of Education, which has grown into one of MSU Denver’s most impactful and visible programs. Hinde’s leadership helped steer that growth through community partnerships, visionary projects and an unwavering commitment to equity in education.
“Founding a school is no small task,” said Provost Matt Makley, Ph.D. “Dean Hinde went to work immediately, both internally and externally, to grow the school for the benefit of students, faculty and the broader community. She will be remembered as a strong, fearless leader who advocated for practical, forward-thinking solutions to Colorado’s and the nation’s most pressing educational challenges.”
A career of innovation
Hinde is proud of the many accomplishments the School of Education has made, particularly the Office of Education Solutions. The first and only one of its kind in the nation, the office houses award-winning, research-driven programs that address systemic challenges in education while being fiscally self-sustaining.
Initiatives like Call Me MiSTER, the Anna Jo Garcia Haynes Legacy Project, Inclusive Higher Education Solutions, and the STEM Ecosystem have earned national attention and provided powerful new pathways for marginalized students and future educators.
“These programs are not only innovative,” Hinde said, “they’re making a measurable difference in the lives of students and in the profession. That’s what matters most.”
Her legislative advocacy has also reshaped the student experience. Hinde helped spearhead reforms that reduced the number of required Praxis tests for teacher licensure and streamlined background checks, saving students time and money. Her work helped MSU Denver set a statewide standard for teacher preparation that puts equity and access at the forefront.
“She built the school’s reputation at the state legislature and among peer institutions,” Makley said. “And she did it while staying true to her values and her belief in the promise of American public education.”
Hinde’s legacy at MSU Denver also includes the development of the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships, which has become a model for other teacher-preparation programs across the country. Her efforts to grow grant funding, build strategic alliances and advocate for public education have shaped not only the School of Education but also the University’s broader role in Colorado.
“Every day, I’ve seen our faculty and staff working countless hours to make students’ experiences and lives better,” she said. “They’re remarkable for their love of our profession and their sense of urgency to help others through education.”
Retirement plans
Though she will step down as dean in 2026, Hinde will remain involved with the School of Education through its state reauthorization visit in the fall.
As she looks toward retirement, Hinde said she plans to travel, spend time with family and continue consulting in children’s media and educational leadership. But she’s quick to note that she’ll miss the daily work and community at MSU Denver.
“The stage is now set for the next dean to be able to move the School of Education forward to have an even greater impact,” she said. “This school will be a gift to the next dean, as it was to me.”
