The Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees on Friday accepted and celebrated one of the largest philanthropic gifts in University history, underscoring the community’s continued commitment to investing in MSU Denver’s mission.
The $10 million anonymous gift will help support the University’s first residence hall, which is being built on the north side of campus, across from Ball Arena. The gift is dedicated for ongoing building maintenance and housing scholarships, Shelley Thompson, associate vice president of University Advancement, told trustees.
“This planned gift is very, very inspiring for us,” Thompson said. “The goal of this donor is really to keep the cost of living on this campus within reach for as many of our students as possible.”
Thompson added that the gift will also include naming recognition that will be determined at a future date.
Summit House, scheduled to open in 2027, will include a new home for the University’s Classroom to Career Hub, food and retail options and 550 student beds. In addition to philanthropic support, the $117 million project is being funded primarily by a bond issuance that will be paid back with revenue generated by the residence hall, keeping construction costs outside the University’s general operation budget.
The anonymous gift equals the largest private contribution in University history. Last year, Gina and Frank Day also pledged $10 million to MSU Denver’s planned Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Tower, construction on which is expected to begin early next year.
“Our brand is strong, and people actually see that MSU Denver is a place worth investing in,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
Chair’s report: reflections on progress
Board Chair Kristin Hultquist opened the meeting by reflecting on the University’s momentum and the values shaping its future. She described a “palpable and intentional” change on campus during her five years of service.
Hultquist cited examples including the visual transformation of campus, expanded student orientation programs, growing campus pride and record student retention.
“We are creating a sense of belonging that palpably we can feel,” she said.
Legislative and budget outlook
Kaycee Gerhart, vice president for Government and External Affairs, outlined the state’s budget realities — reflected in the outcome of a recent legislative special session — and their impact on MSU Denver.
In addressing a $780 million shortfall created by federal budget legislation that was passed this summer, Gov. Jared Polis recently reduced state spending by about $250 million for the current fiscal year, $12 million of which was cut from Colorado’s public colleges and universities.
MSU Denver’s share of those cuts was $881,000, and Gerhart credited the University’s enrollment gains and progress in student retention and completion for allowing MSU Denver to absorb this year’s cuts. “Part of our resilience-building is focused on fueling that flywheel,” she said. “It helps us when things are good. It also clearly helps us when things are less good.”
Artificial intelligence and higher education
Trustees heard an update on how artificial intelligence is shaping teaching and learning at MSU Denver. Faculty members across disciplines are integrating AI into coursework, while tools such as Rowdy’s Roadmap will help students navigate advising and academic planning, said Sam Jay, Ph.D., executive director of Digital Learning.
He underscored the importance of preparing graduates who are fluent in AI-driven tools and ethics.
New hospitality degrees
In a unanimous vote, the board approved two new master’s-degree programs in the School of Hospitality:
- Master of Science in Event and Experience Management
- Master of Science in Hospitality Leadership
Trustees praised the move as a timely response to workforce demand in one of Colorado’s largest industries, further advancing MSU Denver’s mission of career-focused, accessible education.
Now that the Board of Trustees has signed off, the programs will go through other internal and external reviews, including review and approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Assuming that approval, they will become officially recognized degree programs that the University can promote and offer to prospective students.
Revised academic policy
The board also adopted updates to MSU Denver’s Academic Policy Enactment process, clarifying the difference between technical adjustments and substantive changes. The revisions are designed to streamline policy development and provide greater transparency for faculty and administrators.
President’s report: celebrating the flywheel
In her report to the board, Davidson highlighted progress on enrollment, student success and retention. She noted that, preliminarily, undergraduate full-time enrollment is up 3% and graduate enrollment up 4.2%, with first-time full-time retention at 68.7% — the highest in University history.
While some of those gains are expected to be pared down when the official fall census is announced, Davidson said they are a result of intentional strategies tied to the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan and focus on recruitment and retention, which fuel a “flywheel” of compounding success.
“This momentum shows that when we invest in access and persistence, our students thrive,” she said.
