The President’s Cabinet at Metropolitan State University of Denver recently reviewed progress on the 2030 Strategic Plan, examined the challenging FY27 budget landscape and debated revisions to the University’s social media policy.
Before turning to business at the Feb. 26 meeting, President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., recognized faculty excellence and campus momentum, including legislative engagement at the Capitol and AACSB reaccreditation in the College of Business.
Key Cabinet updates included:
- Strategic Plan momentum: Leaders heard updates on top line progress and reviewed the successful completion of 96% of its fall 2025 objectives.
- The University set a record for fall-to-fall retention among first-time, full-time students and achieved its highest-ever four-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students.
- MSU Denver improved its national social mobility ranking from 141 to 118 out of 1,398 institutions and remains No. 1 in Colorado.
- Early gains include surpassing first-year advising and academic-planning goals, and cutting DFW (drop/fail/withdraw) rates in targeted courses through intervention efforts.
- Academic Affairs update: Provost Matt Makley, Ph.D., acknowledged that periods of transition can bring discomfort, reaffirming that difficult decisions are being made thoughtfully with students at the center. He emphasized the responsibility to future-proof academic programs and position MSU Denver for long-term sustainability and impact.
- FY27 budget outlook: Assistant Budget Director Kwang Cho outlined a tight fiscal environment shaped by a projected $1 billion state deficit. MSU Denver faces an estimated $9–$10 million budget gap for FY27, driven by limited state funding and mandatory cost increases such as compensation and rising health insurance premiums. Leaders emphasized transparent budgeting, implementation of a new budget model and use of reserves to navigate uncertainty.
- Social media policy: The Cabinet returned the Social Media Policy for further revision, requesting clarification on when employees must use disclaimers on personal accounts, clearer definitions of political activity and adjustments to the 90-day inactivity rule for accounts.
- Shared governance updates: Student, staff and faculty leaders shared updates on student organization funding, staff engagement workshops, fall schedule planning and continued advocacy for high-impact programs such as teaching assistants and supplemental instruction.
Roadrunner Shoutout Award. Dr. Brian O'Hara. Photo by Polina Saran
Kudos to these outstanding Roadrunner Shoutout winners:
- Brian O’Hara, Ph.D., associate professor of Sociology, was recognized for blending academic rigor with real-world experience in his course Tourism and Society and for expanding hands-on learning through leadership of the Sociology internship program.
- Emma Forrest, grants management specialist in the College of Health and Human Sciences, was honored for bringing clarity, collaboration and strong compliance expertise to a complex grants portfolio that supports student success.
