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Awards and Achievements

Three cheers for three outstanding Roadrunners

Congrats to a Criminal Justice and Criminology professor, a communicator and School of Hospitality student employee.

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 exemplifies MSU Denver’s core values of community, access, diversity, respect and excellence (CADRE). Winners are recognized at the monthly President’s Cabinet meeting.  

Faculty winner 

J. Renee Trombley, Ph.D., assistant professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology and Faculty Fellow for the Justice Impacted Student Alliance

Nominated by Elise Krumholz, assistant director, Restorative Justice and Student Conflict Resolution, who wrote: 

“Dr. Trombley is deeply dedicated to developing a supportive network for students impacted by the justice system. She is leading efforts to envision how MSU Denver can now and in the future create opportunities for academic and personal success for students who have been incarcerated or on probation or parole or have otherwise been impacted by the legal system. This work is so important to MSU Denver’s open-access mission. She is bringing to life necessary and meaningful programs and services by creating partnerships with community organizations, the Department of Corrections and on-campus groups. 

“Dr. Trombley embodies the CADRE value of community. She often shares the meaningful relationships that affected her education journey and is striving to build opportunities for students to more easily find those relationships and get connected to support through programs and services addressing the unique needs of justice-impacted students.” 

Staff winner 

Whitney Simkins accepting Roadrunner Shoutout Award from Janine Davidson.

Whitney Simkins, Marketing and Communications project manager in Financial Aid 

Nominated by Long Huynh, chief enrollment officer, who said: 

“I am delighted to nominate Whitney Simkins for her exceptional work in enhancing our enrollment-management communication processes. Through her innovative approach and dedication, she has significantly improved our email, text and call outreach campaigns, while maintaining the highest standards of our brand. 

“Her efforts have led to a noticeable increase in open rates and engagement with students — texting outreach achieved a 170% year-over-year increase in student engagement and a 24% increase in proactive campaigns. 

“This achievement reflects not only Whitney’s commitment to excellence but also her understanding of enrollment-management communication and marketing and her ability to convey these values effectively through various communication channels.” 

Student-employee 

Valeria Sixtos accepting Roadrunner Shoutout Award from Janine Davidson.

Valeria Colin Sixtos, Work Study student in the School of Hospitality 

Nominated by Office Manager Stephen Barela, who wrote: 

“Val consistently provides superior service to guests inside our office and our building. She is quick to offer support to faculty and staff and is a resource for visitors wishing to hear a firsthand experience of MSU Denver and the Auraria Campus. Val provides valuable insight to her peers and serves as a positive example of professionalism by balancing her duties as a department employee with the demands of being a full-time student.  

“Val is always quick to volunteer for events affiliated with the School of Hospitality. She has served as a team leader for her peers as an on-site team lead, offering guidance and support. When Val has extra time while working, she is eager to learn new skills and offers to take on special projects for faculty. Val is one of three employees who have worked consistently in our department and is a well of knowledge to employees and visitors. She is an example of every one of the CADRE values on a consistent basis.” 

Nominate a colleague for the Roadrunner Shoutout Award