The energy was high for Metropolitan State University of Denver’s first President’s Cabinet meeting of the academic year. President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., shared updates on major campus projects, including breaking ground on the new student housing complex in September and the Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Tower in January.
Meanwhile, Cabinet members finalized approval of MSU Denver’s Anti-Hazing Policy, ensuring compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act signed into law last December. The policy requires education, reporting and accountability measures related to hazing. It had received interim approval in May and now advances to Davidson for her signature.
Enrollment shows positive trends
Provost Matt Makley, Ph.D., underscored MSU Denver’s highest academic priority. “Our priority is and will remain retention and completion,” he said. “President Davidson identified retention as a priority long ago, and it’s time we made ground.”
Recent data reflect encouraging progress, as of this month:
- Undergraduate full-time-equivalent enrollment has increased 2.32% over last year.
- New-student enrollment rose 2.67%.
- Graduate head count grew 2.87%.
- First-year retention reached 68.6%, trending toward the highest in University history.
HR metrics highlight workforce strengths
Human Resources leaders presented the annual workforce snapshot, noting that our data around hiring and turnover are in line with national benchmarks.
- Voluntary turnover: 8.1%
- Median age: 45
- Gender: 59% female, 41% male
- Veterans: 9%
- Average tenure: nine years
Recruitment timelines averaged 42 days to fill staff roles and 60 days for faculty positions, with 63% of hires coming from external candidates.
Roadrunner Shoutouts celebrate excellence
Davidson opened the meeting by recognizing three members of the Roadrunner community with Roadrunner Shoutouts:
- Paul Anderson, affiliate faculty in the MBA program, was praised by a student for fostering insightful debate, meaningful life lessons and a high regard for students as learners and human beings.
- John Arnold, senior director of Communications, was honored for leading efforts that have earned the University more than 10 national awards, driving significant increases in content metrics and spearheading a redesign of the Early Bird site.
- Karissa Urdiales, graduate student in Cybersecurity, was recognized for her curiosity and attention to detail in her role as a student employee in University Advancement.
Davidson applauded their contributions, noting that their dedication exemplifies MSU Denver’s mission of access, excellence and student success.
