Metropolitan State University of Denver’s highest recognition event returns for its seventh year this spring — but the time to act is now. Nominations are open through Nov. 14 for the 2025 Roadrunners Who Soar Awards, which celebrate employees and teams who embody the University’s CADRE values and go above and beyond to support student success.
Employees are encouraged to nominate their deserving colleagues for either an individual Soar Award or a Team Roadrunner Award.
“I love to read all the wonderful nominations that are sent in,” said Stacy Dvergsdal, associate vice president for Administration and chief human resources officer “We have some incredible individuals and teams here at MSU Denver, and I can’t wait to recognize them for their contributions.”
About the awards
The Soar Awards honor and celebrate outstanding individuals who are living the University’s CADRE values, supporting student success and serving as excellent ambassadors for MSU Denver and the broader University community.
| Who’s eligible? | All employees, including faculty members, staff members, administrators, hourly employees and student employees, are eligible to be nominated. |
| Nominees should: | – Live and model the CADRE values of Community, Access, Diversity, Respect and Excellence – Impact student and/or employee success positively – Be high performers who are significantly impacting the success of their teams, offices and departments – Be excellent ambassadors of the University |
The Team Roadrunner Award is the University’s pinnacle team award and celebrates teams that exemplify effective and equitable working dynamics.
| Who’s eligible? | All teams of three or more individuals. |
| Nominees should: | – Foster positive professional environments where all members feel supported and valued for their shared and individual contributions. – Model collaboration and mutual accountability, creating spaces in which all members have opportunities to innovate and shine – Exemplify effective and equitable working dynamics. – Live and model the MSU Denver CADRE values – Demonstrate high performance and have significant impact on advancing the University’s mission – Have a significant impact on student and/or employee success |
Tips for nominators
- Review the refreshed CADRE value definitions, updated last year to enhance meaning, ensure inclusivity and provide clearer, more actionable guidance for employees.
- Use specific examples to outline how nominees are modeling each CADRE value, demonstrating their nominee’s work, efforts and accomplishments.
What to expect next
Following the close of nominations, submissions will be reviewed by the event committee and senior leadership. Selected honorees and finalists will be notified in early 2026 and the awards ceremony will be held in the spring; specific date to follow.
