Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Roadrunner Shoutout series highlights the excellent and important work happening at all levels of the University. Each person nominated has played a distinguished role in exemplifying MSU Denver’s core values of community, access, diversity, respect and excellence (CADRE). Winners are recognized at the monthly President’s Cabinet meeting.
August marks the first Roadrunner Shoutout Awards of the 2023-24 academic year, and the initiative will run through May.
Congratulations to our first winners of the year and welcome back, Roadrunners!
Staff winner
Jeremy VanHooser, associate director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Michael Benitez, Ph.D., vice president of Diversity and Inclusion, wrote in his nomination:
“I can’t say enough about Jeremy’s contributions to the important diversity work that goes on at MSU Denver. Jeremy goes above and beyond his role to assist and assure that MSU Denver’s signature diversity programs are executed with the highest quality. Since my arrival here two years ago, I have observed Jeremy leading/co-leading planning and coordination of the Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Professorship, the Latinx Graduation Ceremony, the Higher Education Diversity Summit and the First Annual EDI Report for the University, among others. This in addition to assisting with and contributing to the success of the Richard Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship, the Tenure Track Super Club and the Music and Race Music Social Justice Series. Jeremy is one of the most dependable, thoughtful and astute professionals I have had the privilege to work with in my career. His attention to and deep knowledge of programming and technology are invaluable assets to the MSU Denver campus community.”
The second nominator was Will Simpkins, Ed.D., and the Leadership team in the Office Manager to the Vice President for Student Affairs, who wrote about Jeremy:
“Hands down, you are an event planning extraordinaire! From planning HSI Week to the MLK Breakfast and everything in between, we see the great work that you do from start to execution. You are a great collaborator and partner, and we appreciate you inviting our students and staff into the process to ensure that voices and ideas are being included and represented. We know that event planning is not easy, so we appreciate your attention to detail and the way you show up. Lastly, we also appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge, resources and ideas so that we can add to our tool kits — our events can only be better because of this.”
Faculty winner
Karen Marie Jaramillo, lecturer of Chicano/Chicana studies
Nominated by the Student Affairs Leadership Team, which wrote:
“Thank you, Karen, for being a true thought partner and collaborator with the Student Affairs branch. We respect your commitment and dedication to our Roadrunners within the classroom, and we also appreciate your efforts and leadership in supporting our Pathways to Possible Program. Many of our underserved high school students now have an opportunity to jump-start their post-secondary education.
We are also grateful for your work and advocacy with Displaced Aurarians — your history, stories and lived experiences bring so much depth and value to these discussions. With your perspective, lens and expertise, you’re able to support others’ ability to see how decisions may impact this particular community, and you challenge how we might think and/or approach the situation differently. We hope to continue to find ways to honor and support the Displaced Aurarian community, and we thank you for all that you’re about to do!”
Student-employee winner
Ethen Krebs, site coordinator at the Center for Urban Education
Nominated by Crystal Armendariz, previous program manager at the Center for Urban Education, who wrote:
“Ethen Krebs is a stellar example of a student going above and beyond the job description! He works for the Center for Urban Education as the site coordinator and mentor/tutor for our after-school program in one of our DPS schools: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. He works with middle- and high school students and has built great relationships with them. He has been with the program since spring 2022 and is one of our star team members! He handles data coordination, homework completion and students’ check-in/check-out processes. He has taken the initiative to work with them individually by conducting regular grade checks and navigating through the obstacles with grades by working closely with the school liaison in helping students bring their grades up. Ethen is instrumental in creating enrichment activities such as chemistry and science experiments and other fun activities, such as games with academic components such as math and language arts. I can rely on Ethen with additional projects and training new staff with the assurance of extensive efforts upon completion. He truly deserves this Shoutout!”