This month’s highlights include national book honors and standout performances in journalism, public speaking and scientific research, showcasing the breadth of talent at MSU Denver.
Elizabeth Kleinfeld’s memoir essay ‘Driftwood’ featured in Best Emerging Writers 2024
Elizabeth Kleinfeld, Ph.D., professor in the Department of English, has been named a finalist in The Masters Review’s annual Best Emerging Writers anthology. Guest judge Gina Chung selected her memoir essay as one of 10 works featured in the 2024 collection, which celebrates exceptional short fiction and nonfiction from emerging writers around the world.
Published in print and online, the anthology showcases work that explores themes of power, intimacy and resilience. Kleinfeld’s inclusion reflects her continued excellence in creative writing and her impact on contemporary nonfiction.
Ibrahim M. Aref and Nels Grevstad, Ph.D., departments of Biology and Mathematics and Statistics
Aref and Grevstad co-authored a peer-reviewed research article in Seeds titled “Effectiveness of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination of Nine Acacia Species from Al-Baha Region in Saudi Arabia.” The study explores germination treatments for nine Acacia species native to arid regions, offering insights valuable to ecological restoration and sustainable land management amid climate change, overgrazing and fuelwood harvesting.
Nels Grevstad, Ph.D., contributes to study on corvid behavior in wolf sanctuaries
A recent collaborative study on the interactions between wolves and scavenging birds features statistical analysis by Nels Grevstad, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The research, conducted in partnership with the University of Colorado Denver, observes the behavior of common ravens and black-billed magpies at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center.
Richard Sandoval, Ph.D., deciphers Maya hand signs as early form of signed language
Richard Sandoval, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, has published groundbreaking research revealing that hand signs depicted in Maya monuments represent numerals tied to dates on the ancient Long Count calendar. The findings, published in Transactions of the Philological Society, argue that the signs reflect an Indigenous American signed language — making it the only known ancient script not based on a spoken language and potentially the oldest record of a widely used signed system.
Met TV team wins Emmy for Headline News
Congratulations to the Met TV team, recipient of a 2025 Heartland Emmy Award in the Headline News category for its exceptional coverage in “Donald Trump Gives Speech in Aurora.” The award recognizes excellence in student journalism and highlights Metropolitan State University of Denver’s commitment to hands-on, real-world learning in media production.
Shoutout to the award-winning team:
- Alfredo Sanchez, faculty advisor
- Alex Petrich, anchor
- Ytzel Vasquez, camera operator
- Benjamin Butler, photographer
- Cecilia Perez-Najera, producer
Laura Girdner, Master of Professional Accountancy ’24, wins MSU Denver’s 3MT Competition and represents University statewide
Recent Master of Professional Accountancy graduate Laura Girdner earned first place in MSU Denver’s 2025 3-Minute Talk (3MT) final competition, becoming the first MPAcc student to do so. Girdner’s winning presentation distilled complex accounting research into an engaging, one-slide talk that captivated a multidisciplinary audience. She was advised by Dr. Andrew Holt and supported by Accounting Department Chair, Dr. Greg Clifton.
Following her campus win, Girdner advanced to the Colorado Statewide 3MT competition and co-presented her research at the Small Business Institute National Conference in New Orleans. Her achievements demonstrate academic excellence, public-speaking skill and dedication to advancing scholarship beyond the classroom.
The Metropolitan staff recognized for excellence in student journalism
The Metropolitan student newspaper earned a 2025 Society of Professional Journalists Region 9 Mark of Excellence Award in the General News Reporting (Large) category for its coverage of “Palestine protests and arrests escalate at MSU Denver.” The story was selected as the top collegiate news report across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Judged by media professionals, the award honors reporting that demonstrates exceptional accuracy, storytelling and public impact. As first-place winner, The Metropolitan staff will advance to the national SPJ competition, where its work will be considered alongside top entries from all 12 U.S. regions.
Jesse Perez earns 3rd place at Ron Rizzuto Innovation Challenge
Representing the College of Business, first-year student Jesse Perez earned third place at the 2025 Ron Rizzuto Media+Tech Collective Innovation Challenge. As the only undergraduate finalist, Perez competed against graduate students from the University of Denver and Colorado State University, offering bold, actionable strategies to help broadband providers stay competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The annual competition challenges students to address real-world media and technology issues, with this year’s theme focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in driving personalization and market relevance. Industry leaders praised Perez’s innovation and presentation skills, and the achievement secured MSU Denver a $1,000 prize and internship access with top regional companies including Comcast, Spectrum and Starz.
Dennis L. Rudnick, Ph.D., earns national book award for ‘Resisting Divide-and-Conquer Strategies in Education’
Dennis L. Rudnick, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Elementary Education and co-director of the Educators of Principle program, has received the 2025 Outstanding Book Award from the Society of Professors of Education for his edited volume “Resisting Divide-and-Conquer Strategies in Education: Pathways and Possibilities.”
Published by Myers Education Press, the book critically examines how divide-and-conquer tactics are embedded in the U.S. education system and offers conceptual, historical and practical insights into resisting these mechanisms. The volume includes contributions from scholars across the country and a foreword by educational theorist Zeus Leonardo. Designed for use in undergraduate and graduate education and social-science courses, the text explores ideological, policy-based and liberatory strategies for promoting equity and justice in education.
David Yee, Ph.D., publishes debut book on urban inequality in Mexico City
David Yee, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of History, has published his first book, “Informal Metropolis: Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl and the Making of Greater Mexico City,” with the University of Nebraska Press. The book presents the first comprehensive history of housing inequality and informal urban development in modern Mexico City.
Drawing on years of archival research and oral histories, Yee traces how migrant families built one of the world’s largest informal settlements on a dried lake bed and fought for land rights, water access and livable conditions. The work offers critical insights into the structural forces behind urban inequality and the rise of grassroots movements in Mexico. Christina Jimenez, professor at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, praised the book for its timely relevance in understanding migration and inequality across the U.S.-Mexico border.
