President’s News and Updates

President Davidson’s fiscal year 2026 budget charge

Oct. 30, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

In fiscal 2025-26 (FY26), I’m focused on investing in programs and projects that spin the flywheel until sparks fly! Read the budget charge.

Election-season resources and graduate tuition benefit headline August President’s Cabinet

Aug. 30, 2024 | President’s Cabinet

During the first President’s Cabinet meeting of the fall semester on Aug. 22, Metropolitan State University of Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., focused on cultivating healthy and productive civic engagement. Read more.

What is fueling YOU this semester?

Aug. 19, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

President Davidson welcomes faculty and staff to a new semester and academic year, reminding everyone of the importance of MSU Denver’s people in fueling student success. Read more.

Fiscal year 2025 budget aligns with presidential and University priorities

I am pleased to share with you that the Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees approved our fiscal year 2025 budget,… Read more.

Encampment disassembled; University moves to restricted-access operations for Monday

May 19, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

For the past three weeks, I’ve been updating you on our efforts to find resolution to the encampment on the Tivoli Quad, which was in violation of a campus no-camping policy and created multiple disruptions to University operations… Read more.

Protesters pitch tents inside Tivoli during meeting with trustees

May 14, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

In the spirit of dialogue and transparency, members of our Board of Trustees met with MSU Denver’s student protesters today… Read more.

Cherishing Commencement Memories: A tribute to our graduates!

May 10, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

While there’s been a lot happening on campus, today’s Commencement reminded me of why we do what we do. Take a look at some of the memories we made today! 

Ensuring the safety of our community

May 8, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

On Tuesday evening, protesters entered MSU Denver’s Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building, blocking doors, beating on drums, chanting and disrupting campus operations … Read more.

Protesters escalate tactics

May 7, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

Earlier today, protesters entered the Tivoli Student Union, blocked entrances and created a disturbance. Police intervened to stop several demonstrators… Read more.

Demonstrators refused dialogue offer

May 6, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

In the spirit of dialogue and transparency, I want to update our community on the latest with the ongoing protest and encampment on the Tivoli Quad … Read more.

Productive dialogue continues

May 3, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

Earlier today, executive leaders of Auraria Campus institutions again met with student leaders of the ongoing protest and encampment … Read more.

Keeping our community safe while fostering ongoing dialogue

May 2, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

As antiwar demonstrations continue on college campuses nationwide, we’ve seen a wide range of tactics… Read more.

Update: Campus demonstration and dialogue

April 30, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

I intend to remain transparent in keeping our community updated on the protest happening on the Tivoli Quad… Read more.

Update: Campus demonstration and resources

April 28, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

As we start the last full week of classes before final exams and Commencement, I want to provide an update on the protest happening on the Tivoli Quad… Read more.

Update: Campus demonstration and resources

April 26, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

Earlier today, the Auraria and Denver police departments dispersed an encampment in front of the Tivoli Quad, where a demonstration was underway. The protest was similar to those taking place on college campuses… Read more.

Campus demonstration and resources

April 26, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

As you may have seen in news reports or on social media, the Auraria Campus is the site of a protest this week similar to demonstrations that have been occurring on college campuses around the country…. Read more.

Chicano Studies chair reinstated following personnel process review

Feb. 15, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

Following a thorough review of the situation and processes related to the appointment and removal of MSU Denver department chairs, I have reinstated Chicana/o Studies Department Chair Dr. Adriana Nieto. Read more.

Our state’s future depends on higher education

Jan. 10, 2024 | Davidson’s Desk

Leaving the military and Department of Defense to work at MSU Denver was more than a career change – it is a calling. I made this move because I firmly believe in the transformational power of higher education for individuals and for our nation as a whole. Read more.

MSU Denver celebrates gains in enrollment and retention

Jan. 17, 2024 | President’s Correspondence

We’ve recovered 
Enrollment for spring semester is UP about 3.5%.

We’ve stabilized 
Retention is up about 1%. d Kindn

Now, it’s time to launch! 

Read more.

MSU Denver welcomes three new Board of Trustees members

Jan. 12, 2024 

The Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees welcomes three new members this semester. Also, three existing board members have been reappointed to serve second terms, including Kristin Hultquist, who was elected by the board to replace Russell Noles as chair. Read more.

Reflecting on kindness and compassion

Nov. 8, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

Monday is World Kindness Day, an international observance that encourages people to bridge differences and focus on the common threads that bind us. It’s an opportune moment to pause and reflect on something that is all too often overlooked: our shared humanity and our innate capacity for kindness and compassion. Read more.

Announcing MSU Denver’s new provost

Oct. 30, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

President Davidson announces the selection of Laura Niesen de Abruña, Ph.D., as the University’s new provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, beginning Jan. 25.  Read more.

President’s priorities kick-off budget planning cycle

Oct. 24, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

President Davidson shares priorities to kick-off the fiscal year 2025 budget planning cycle.  Read more.

Launching Student Success together this fall

Aug. 29, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

President Davidson welcomes faculty and staff back to campus by reinvigorating our founding purpose, to prepare our students to meet Colorado’s workforce needs.   Read more.

Davidson's Desk: Affirming education access

June 29, 2023 | Davidson’s Desk

The Supreme Court handed down its highly anticipated decision on affirmative action in higher education admissions today, striking down the policy in a monumental moment for education. Fortunately, because MSU Denver is an open-access institution, the decision will have no impact on who we will admit and won’t alter our efforts to prepare Colorado’s workforce. Read more.

Trustees approve Fiscal Year 2024 budget

June 7, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

The Board of Trustees has approved an exciting new budget for Metropolitan State University of Denver, highlighted by employee compensation increases and strategic investments that will catalyze our enrollment momentum as we launch the University forward. Read more.

Launching Student Success

May 11, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

Two years ago, we introduced our “Recover, Stabilize, LAUNCH!” framework as we were finalizing our 2030 Strategic Plan. The biggest key to our launch is student retention, the one thing in our flywheel from which everything else turns. Read more.

Davidson's Desk: Colorado is desperate for workers. Higher ed is the answer.

March 16, 2023 | Davidson’s Desk

Colorado’s 2022 Talent Pipeline Report said there were two job openings for every available worker last year, an immediate challenge that also brings into question the long-term sustainability of the state economy. We have an urgent need to invest in our education system – our state’s future. Read more.

Workload task force, goals and timeline

Feb. 16, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

The purpose of this note is to provide an update on the process and timeline for the way forward on faculty workload. Read more.

Reaction and resources following Feb. 13 school shootings

Feb. 14, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

I am at a loss to describe how I’m feeling after a spate of shootings and lockdowns at schools near and far yesterday. Colorado School of Mines was on lockdown for five hours early Monday while police searched for an armed fugitive who killed a police K-9; a Denver East High School student was shot near the school in the afternoon and remains hospitalized; and at least three Michigan State University students were killed and several more injured during a mass shooting last night. Read more.

Preparing an inclusive and swift path forward on faculty workload

Feb. 13, 2023 | President’s Correspondence

President Davidson provides an update on MSU Denver’s plans to address faculty workload. Read more.

Higher ed leadership letter to Joint Budget Committee

Jan. 9, 2023 | Letter to the Joint Budget Committee

Colorado’s college and university leaders sent a joint request to the state’s Joint Budget Committee asking for an increase of $144.7 million in state operating funding for higher education and 4% in tuition authority as part of the annual budget cycle. Read more.

Dec. 19, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

It is the final week of the fall semester here at Metropolitan State University of Denver — classes are finished, faculty members are finalizing grades, and staff members are finishing their last tasks of the year before the University closes for winter break. Read more.

Supporting our LGBTQ community

Nov. 22, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

On the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, this tragedy unfolded at an LBGTQ club in our own state following last week’s senseless student killings at the universities of Virginia and Idaho. As a proud ally committed to the robust and resilient LGBTQ community, my heart simply breaks. Read more.

Mourning victims in Idaho and Virginia

Nov. 14, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

I am devastated by the loss of seven college students killed at the universities of Idaho and Virginia on Sunday. Two campus communities 2,500 miles apart are in mourning today, reeling from tragic acts of violence and shelter-in-place directives that have become far too frequent in American schools. Read more.

Living with honor this Veterans Day

Nov. 10, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

The theme for Veterans Day 2022 is “Honor.” This theme was chosen by the Department of Veteran Affairs to “reflect the military value and tradition of answering the call to duty.”… Read more.

Going beyond land acknowledgements for Native Heritage Month

Nov. 1, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

While it is important that we acknowledge the original inhabitants of the land where our campus sits, universities can go beyond acknowledgements and actively serve modern-day Native Americans who are underrepresented on campuses across the country… Read more.

Colorado higher ed leaders call for legal status for Dreamers

Oct. 19, 2022 | Letter to Colorado’s Congressional delegation

There is an urgent need to pass legislation providing permanent legal status for Dreamers following the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that deemed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy unlawful… Read more.

Davidson’s Desk: Hispanic Servingness

Oct. 4, 2022 | Davidson’s Desk

National Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time for Hispanic-Serving Institutions like Metropolitan State University of Denver to pause and reflect on what it really means to serve our valued Latino community… Read more.

President's Budget Priorities

Aug. 26, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

I am excited to announce details about the 2022–23 Phase II budget approved by the board, including increased compensation for employees…
Read more.

Free Expression and Inquiry

Aug. 8, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

I strongly believe that free expression and inquiry, which should flourish at universities, are key to maintaining a healthy civic society, and indeed our diverse democratic republic. It was in this spirit that I convened a task force with broad representation across our University community to create a Free Expression Statement…
Read more.

Davidson's Desk: Investing in public service

July 8, 2022 | Davidson’s Desk

As a political scientist and career public servant, I believe deeply in the value of our participatory democracy. But in times like these, I realize we cannot take the strength of our democratic system for granted. We must be active stewards of the processes that make our society work. This is why I am so passionate about our growing programs for public service at MSU Denver…
Read more.

Davidson’s Desk: New insights from MSU Denver’s president

April 5, 2022 | Davidson’s Desk

Get new insights from President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., in Davidson’s Desk, launched this week to provide the broader Denver and Colorado community with important MSU Denver news and thought leadership. The quarterly e-newsletter will share her thoughts on topics important to Coloradans….
Read more.

Breaking down bias on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

Happy International Women’s Day! For over 100 years, March 8 has been marked around the world as a day of solidarity among women. Higher education has played a key role in improving the lives of women and will continue to be essential as we confront the post-pandemic world. Read more.

Davidson's campus message on Ukraine

March 2, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

I know many of you are closely following the violence in Ukraine, as am I. Many Americans are scared or confused, wondering whether the U.S. could directly engage militarily or if the conflict could spread to additional countries in Europe. The Russian invasion has been jarring to us all, even military experts such as myself who have been following the buildup to this moment for decades. Read more.

Welcome to the spring 2022 semester

Jan. 25, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

Welcome to a new year and a new semester at Metropolitan State University of Denver! I am thrilled to see so many faculty members, staff members and students back on campus, especially in light of the challenges of this past year and some of the ongoing stresses of Covid-19. Read more.

Honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Jan. 17, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of history’s most inspiring and influential civil rights leaders. Dr. King’s example of sacrifice, service, and conviction in the face of great injustice reminds us that positive change is possible when we join together, in solidarity. Read more.

Higher Ed Leadership Letter to Joint Budget Committee

Jan. 7, 2022 | Letter to the state’s Joint Budget Committee

Thank you for your investments in higher education last year, along with your work to increase higher education funding above inflation at every opportunity over the past five years. You deserve credit and our gratitude for prioritizing higher education in light of the many other demands you face each session. Your investments allowed us to address equity gaps and deferred investments, hold tuition flat in many cases, and to provide the high-quality services our students deserve. Read more.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance

Jan. 5, 2022 | President’s Correspondence

Metropolitan State University of Denver will be closed Jan. 17 so that Roadrunners can observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MSU Denver has historically observed MLK Day in December as part of an alternate holiday schedule to provide employees an extended winter break; this closure will be in addition to the December observance. Read more.

Support for Roadrunners impacted by Marshall and Middlefork Fires

Dec. 31, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

Once again, our community has been inflicted with disaster and tragedy, leaving us heartbroken as we embark upon a New Year. Hundreds of homes, businesses and community pillars have been lost and thousands of Coloradans impacted by the Marshall and Middlefork Fires including many MSU Denver students, faculty and staff. 

For Roadrunners who have been directly impacted, we are here for you. Read more.

Happy holidays from President Davidson

Dec. 10, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

We have much to celebrate at Metropolitan State University of Denver this holiday season. Reflecting with Rowdy on our journey through 2021, I’m beyond grateful for the amazing students, faculty, staff and community members who supported our mission in the face of continued pandemic-related challenges. Read more.

Kelly Brough joins MSU Denver as CSO

Dec. 1, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

MSU Denver is pleased to announce that Kelly Brough, former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, has accepted the position of chief strategy officer. She will officially join the University community today. Read more.

Take time to reflect and rejuvenate

Nov. 23, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

In recognition of the hard work and dedication of our nearly 3,000 faculty and staff members, all MSU Denver offices will close Wednesday at 1 p.m. so that Roadrunners can spend a little extra time with their loved ones. Read more.

Serving each other this Veterans Day

Nov. 11, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

In addition to thanking our veterans for their service today, it is my hope that we take this moment to pause and consider how deciding to serve others and living for a cause greater than oneself – values that are embedded in the fabric or our military and our nation – might fuel our efforts to overcome our differences and face today’s great challenges together. Read more.

MSU Denver extends Displaced Aurarian Scholarship

Nov. 4, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

I am pleased to affirm MSU Denver’s commitment to providing free education for all Aurarians and their direct descendants displaced by forcible removal from the Auraria neighborhood. Read more.

MSU Denver supports DACA rule change proposal

Nov. 1, 2021 | Federal government comment submission

MSU Denver formally submitted a public comment in support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rule that would reinforce work authorization for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Read more.

One-time budget priorities announced

Nov. 1, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

The economic challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic have opened the door for some unique budget opportunities, thanks to an infusion of one-time federal funding meant to help institutions of higher education recover from the pandemic and continue to meet students’ needs. Read more.

Reflection on the anniversary of 9/11

Sept. 10, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

Tomorrow marks 20 years since the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which took so many lives and changed our worlds forever. Read more.

University budget update

Sept. 3, 2021 | President’s Correspondence

Strategic investments in our people, our infrastructure, and our administrative and student-support systems will help us recover from a challenging year and position us to thrive in the post-pandemic environment. Read more.

Colorado Higher Ed leaders call for doubling of Pell Grant

Aug. 25, 2021 | Letter to Colorado Congressional Delegation

Executives from Colorado institutions of higher education urge our congressional delegates to work with their colleagues to double the maximum Pell Grant. We also urge them to support policies that automatically adjust the award to inflation – so that its buying power is preserved – and expand grant eligibility, including for undocumented students who study on our campuses. Read more.