The Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees on Friday approved a new University budget that balances affordability, employee support and student success.
The balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 positions MSU Denver to meet reserve requirements while continuing to invest in strategic priorities through tuition revenue, operational efficiencies and returns on previous investments, Andrew Rauch, executive budget director, told the University’s governing board.
The fiscal 2027 budget includes:
- A 2% across-the-board compensation increase, effective July 1, for eligible faculty and nonclassified staff members, including part-time administrative staff members and tenured and tenure-track faculty members working fewer than 40 hours per week.
- A 3.5% resident and nonresident undergraduate tuition increase.
- Strategic investments that strengthen enrollment, retention and student success.
University budget planners, including the University Planning and Budget Advisory Committee, last month recommended slightly lower pay increases and spending on new student recruitment and support efforts. But stronger-than-expected revenue and lower-than-expected mandatory costs improved the University’s financial outlook, creating more flexibility for investment.
“This budget reflects the University’s strong financial position and our commitment to balancing affordability with strategic investment,” Rauch said. “Because of continued enrollment growth, record retention and careful financial stewardship, we are able to support our employees, invest in student success initiatives and maintain the reserves necessary to ensure MSU Denver’s long-term sustainability.”
Former Gov. Roy Romer reflects on public service, new MSU Denver partnership
Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer joined trustees following the announcement that he will donate his gubernatorial papers to MSU Denver’s archives as part of a new partnership with the Romer Institute of Evidence-based Policy.
Romer, who helped establish MSU Denver as a young state legislator, said the project is about helping future leaders learn from the culture, values and decision-making practices that shaped his administration.
“You learn so much by listening, listening carefully to other people,” Romer said. “We had an ethic in our administration in telling the truth, in abiding by the truth, in searching for the truth.”
Trustees honor retiring dean, Elizabeth Hinde, Ph.D.
Trustees recognized Elizabeth Hinde, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education, ahead of her retirement after a distinguished career serving students, faculty and the University.
“She is one of the university’s most significant success stories,” Chair Jerry Glick said. “She championed practical, forward-looking solutions to education’s most pressing challenges while never losing sight of the students at the center of that work.”
Hinde thanked colleagues throughout the School of Education and reflected on the collaborative culture that shaped her leadership.
“The faculty and staff from the School of Education, from then until now, are the most brilliant and passionate people,” Hinde said. “I just said yes to their ideas.”
Board approves tenure and promotion recommendations
Trustees approved tenure and promotion recommendations for 26 faculty members.
- Shailesh Ambre, Ph.D.
- Kristen Atkinson, Ph.D.
- Cassandra Bailey, Ph.D.
- Biff Baker, D.M.
- Devika Banerji, Ph.D.
- Alex Boodrookas, Ph.D.
- Michael Botyarov, Ph.D.
- Joseph Feldman, Ph.D.
- Philip Ficsor, D.M.A.
- Caitlin Fine, Ph.D.
- Jangwoo Jo, Ph.D.
- Jade Luiz, Ph.D.
- Jesse Lunsford, Ph.D.
- Adam Melnick, J.D.
- David Merriam, Ph.D.
- Julia Mitchell, M.F.A.
- Daniel Moore, Ph.D.
- Paris Prestridge
- Andreea Prundeanu-Thrower, Ph.D.
- Maria Alejandra Quijada, Ph.D.
- Logan Schuetz, Ph.D.
- Kiyan Shafieizadeh, Ph.D.
- Smita Singh, Ph.D.
- Mohammad Valipour, Ph.D.
- Andrew Walton, Ph.D.
- David Yee, Ph.D.
The board also approved emerita and emeritus status for eight retiring faculty members.
- Susan Bertelsen, Ed.D.
- Colleen Colles, Ed.D.
- Cindy Dormer, Ph.D.
- Don Gilmore, Ed.D.
- Elizabeth Hinde, Ph.D.
- Elizabeth Kleinfeld, Ph.D.
- David Ruch, Ph.D.
- Mary Sawaya, Ph.D.
Other updates
- Trustees approved changing the name of the Classroom to Career Hub to recognize the Kemper Family Foundation’s $3.5 million gift. The newly named Kemper Classroom to Career Hub reflects the Kemper Family Foundation’s support for MSU Denver’s work to connect students’ classroom learning with career opportunities.
- Trustees approved six new academic credentials, including new artificial intelligence programs in the College of Business, three graduate certificates in the School of Hospitality and a bilingual education specialist concentration in the School of Education. The board also approved discontinuation of the STEMpath Cybersecurity Certificate.
- Trustees received an update on the 2026 legislative session, including news that lawmakers extended direct state funding for the Auraria Higher Education Center through July 2027.
- Updates to MSU Denver’s mandatory student fee structure were also approved. The changes simplify student billing by combining the Campus Recreation fee into the Health and Wellness fee and expanding Intercollegiate Athletics fees to online-only students, better aligning fee support with how students access programs, services and community today.
- The meeting also included discussions on the University’s artificial intelligence action plan and strategy initiatives designed to position MSU Denver for growth and impact.
