Leaders at Metropolitan State University of Denver addressed budget realities, outlined a new University-wide approach to artificial intelligence and highlighted alumni achievements at the April President’s Cabinet meeting last week.
They also reviewed results from MSU Denver’s recently released annual Employee Engagement and Leader Effectiveness Survey.
President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., opened the meeting by recognizing Roadrunner Shoutout winners and celebrating recent milestones, including Colorado’s new state poet laureate, Crisosto Apache, and the announcement of Spring Commencement speaker Stephen Lease, founder of Goodr sunglasses — both MSU Denver alumni.
Switching gears to University finances, Davidson noted in her opening remarks that while the state budget outlook is more stable than expected, flat funding continues to require careful prioritization and long-term stewardship. Davidson also announced the formation of an AI readiness “team of teams” to meet the rapidly evolving challenges and seize the emerging opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, Provost Matt Makley, Ph.D., highlighted faculty accomplishments, including the success of the integrated Castro Professorship 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform event, and he announced the revitalization of the Academic Affairs Leadership Team, which will focus on aligning priorities and addressing key challenges.
Cabinet updates included:
- A review of recent employee engagement survey results that showed a strong sense of pride and purpose in work, and opportunities around interdepartmental cooperation, efficiency and communication.
- Discussion about the Faculty Senate academic program approval and discontinuation policy, including removal of the Board of Trustees approval requirement for new minors and concentrations within major programs.
- Strategic Plan progress on coordinating cross-functional alignment across strategic pillars, refreshing implementation of Pillars III, IV and V, and validating top-line institutional goals.
Other updates from cabinet members included:
- Faculty Trustee Mona Mocanasu, Ph.D., was reelected to a second term.
- Strong Open House engagement and improvements to new student onboarding that allow earlier registration.
- Progress on the Student Code of Conduct review and advancement of student housing planning, with hiring and design work underway.
Upcoming events:
- May 5: Howdy Rowdy Spring BBQ for all faculty and staff on Tivoli Quad
- May 15: Spring Commencement at the Denver Coliseum
- June 4: Roadrunners Rise campaign celebration on the JSSB lawn
Kudos to these outstanding Roadrunner Shoutout winners:
Rebecca Dobbin, Roadrunner Shoutout Award recipient, stands with Janine Davidson, Ph.D. Photo by Polina Saran
Rebecca Dobbin, director of Financial Business Operations in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, was recognized for her leadership during the transition to Workday and for strengthening processes, supporting faculty members and advancing strong stewardship of University resources.
Melanie Lopez Macarena, Roadrunner Shoutout Award recipient, stands with Janine Davidson, Ph.D. Photo by Polina Saran
Melanie Lopez Macareno, student peer mentor in the Immigrant Services Program, was recognized for representing MSU Denver at the national level with the President’s Alliance and for her leadership, advocacy and fundraising support of immigrant-serving programs on campus.
