Weekly Letter from the Provost—Feb. 20 Edition
Dear colleagues,
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. We are grateful for your interest and support. Previous newsletters can be found on the provost’s communication center on the University’s website.
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please submit your ideas or stories here. Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. We are grateful for your interest and support. Previous newsletters can be found on the provost’s communication center on the University’s website.
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please submit your ideas or stories here. Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
- Campus news and happenings
- Goal 1: Shape enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for all students
- Goal 2: Improve career outcomes and better prepare our students to succeed and lead in an AI-transformed workforce
- Goal 3: Strengthen academic excellence
Campus News and Happenings
DU Employee Town Hall Recap
Thank you to the faculty and staff who were able to participate in Wednesday’s town hall session. We would like to also thank everyone who watched the videos that were distributed in advance. Along with the chancellor, the cabinet, and my leadership team, I want to acknowledge the challenging times we are facing together right now. I wish to convey our firm belief that we will not only get through these challenging times, but will arrive stronger and well positioned for the future as a result of the strategic decisions we make and the changes that are implemented as we move forward.
On behalf of University leadership, we appreciate the many ways that you extend care and provide service out of your love and appreciation for DU. We do not have every answer yet, but we will continue to share updates as quickly and as regularly as possible, and will engage the community throughout the winter and spring quarters as we finalize the FY27 budget. In the meantime, I am greatly encouraged by the thoughtfulness, hard work, and dedication of the three Academic Affairs committees (please see more information below). Together, we will shape a brighter future for DU that will be fit for purpose, providing support and resources that enable you to do your jobs in the way and in the place you envisioned when you chose this University.
On behalf of University leadership, we appreciate the many ways that you extend care and provide service out of your love and appreciation for DU. We do not have every answer yet, but we will continue to share updates as quickly and as regularly as possible, and will engage the community throughout the winter and spring quarters as we finalize the FY27 budget. In the meantime, I am greatly encouraged by the thoughtfulness, hard work, and dedication of the three Academic Affairs committees (please see more information below). Together, we will shape a brighter future for DU that will be fit for purpose, providing support and resources that enable you to do your jobs in the way and in the place you envisioned when you chose this University.
AI in Teaching and Learning Faculty Symposium
Today, the University Writing Program, the Center for Ethical Generative Artificial Intelligence Applications (CEGAIA), and the Office of Teaching and Learning cohosted a one-day symposium for DU faculty with a focus on multidisciplinary perspectives on AI in teaching and learning. I am grateful to them for facilitating such an important conversation, which is informed by preeminent national and regional thought leaders. I am also grateful to our faculty for their care and interest not just in contemplating AI’s impact on writing and writing instruction, but on imagining AI in the context of our 4D Experience to deepen intellect, develop well-being, discover character, and design lives and careers of purpose.
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Updates from the Goal 1 Committee
The Goal 1 Committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts: you can review the revised committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
This past week, the group reviewed approaches to strengthen graduate student retention and degree progression. Key strategies included enhancing staff support, increasing quarterly student outreach, and establishing a navigator role to assist students throughout their programs. The committee discussed advising and course planning challenges, exploring potential tools such as Ellucian SmartPlan to streamline planning. Members emphasized the importance of building graduate-specific support structures modeled on effective undergraduate systems.
I express my continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
This past week, the group reviewed approaches to strengthen graduate student retention and degree progression. Key strategies included enhancing staff support, increasing quarterly student outreach, and establishing a navigator role to assist students throughout their programs. The committee discussed advising and course planning challenges, exploring potential tools such as Ellucian SmartPlan to streamline planning. Members emphasized the importance of building graduate-specific support structures modeled on effective undergraduate systems.
I express my continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
DU Celebrates Its Semifinalists for Fellowships
The Office of Scholar Development & Fellowship Advising is happy to announce that 33 DU students and alumni have been recognized as semifinalists for preeminent regional, national, and international fellowships so far this year! Every competition and timeline is different, but semifinalists have advanced to the next round of review and depending on the award, they may interview with selection panels. We are so proud of these applicants and wish them luck in the next stage! We are grateful to the faculty and staff who provide mentorship in support of students. The selected students and alumni include:
- Eight semifinalists for the Critical Language Scholarship to support critical language learning overseas
- Sixteen semifinalists for Fulbright U.S. Student Grants to conduct independent research projects, pursue graduate degrees, and teach English abroad
- DU’s first ever semifinalist for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program to support graduate study at Stanford University
- One semifinalist for the Schwarzman Scholars program to pursue a master’s degree of global affairs at Tsinghua University
- Three semifinalists for Project Horseshoe Farms to spend a year working in community health
- One semifinalist for the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs to support emerging leaders who will make a lasting impact in communities nationwide
- One semifinalist for the John McCain Strategic Defense Fellowship for future leaders, problem solvers, and strategic thinkers to work in public service through the Department of Defense
- Two semifinalists for the Truman Scholarship that provides graduate school funding for future public service leaders
Reminder: Faculty Needed—Recruiting Future Generations of DU Students
We received such great responses to this request after last week’s newsletter that I wanted to run it one more time with hope that even more faculty will help conduct important outreach to prospective students. Faculty who will travel to key cities in the coming months are encouraged to connect with our Admissions team by emailing Craig Dionne , director of recruitment, ahead of time. When schedules allow, we may be able to arrange brief coffee conversations with prospective students and their families. These small moments can make a surprisingly meaningful difference in helping future students envision themselves at DU.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Goal 2 Committee Updates
The Goal 2 Committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts: you can review the revised committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
On Tuesday, the committee met to review and discuss the findings of the discovery phase, which will guide the formulation of a broader strategy to pursue goal 2 with measurable key performance indicators (KPIs). The committee hosted a presentation by Ryan Gedney, a talent pipeline analyst for the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Ryan first shared with the committee key trends emerging from the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report and met with the DU Career and Professional Development team.
I offer continued thanks to committee chairs Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, and the entire Goal 2 Committee for their efforts.
On Tuesday, the committee met to review and discuss the findings of the discovery phase, which will guide the formulation of a broader strategy to pursue goal 2 with measurable key performance indicators (KPIs). The committee hosted a presentation by Ryan Gedney, a talent pipeline analyst for the Colorado Workforce Development Council and the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Ryan first shared with the committee key trends emerging from the 2025 Talent Pipeline Report and met with the DU Career and Professional Development team.
I offer continued thanks to committee chairs Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, and the entire Goal 2 Committee for their efforts.
Faculty and Career Champions Quarterly
I received a copy of the Office of Career and Professional Development’s Winter Term 2026 Quarterly this past weekend, and I wanted to bring it to your attention in case you missed it. It is an incredible resource, and I offer my thanks to the team for putting it together.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Goal 3 Committee Updates
As a reminder, the Goal 3 Committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts: you can review the revised committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
Thank you to the Faculty Senate for their important discussion on Feb. 13 regarding goal 3. Committee members continue to value the feedback, critical questions, and the ways deans, faculty, and staff are exploring strategies to grow academic revenue (including yield), consider restructuring, and evaluate programs and/or academic units for potential closure as part of a strategic response to our budget situation.
This week, the committee is sharing an expanded list of data points under consideration to inform their work. We are committed to providing academic unit summaries of this data to deans, chairs, and directors so they can review, interpret, and discuss how the information may inform future committee recommendations.
To be clear: no decisions have been made or are pre-determined. The Goal 3 Committee views its recommendations as part of an iterative process that actively engages potentially affected units, and we are committed to sharing them with the community before bringing forward recommendations.
The types of data being reviewed and considered include:
Thank you to the Faculty Senate for their important discussion on Feb. 13 regarding goal 3. Committee members continue to value the feedback, critical questions, and the ways deans, faculty, and staff are exploring strategies to grow academic revenue (including yield), consider restructuring, and evaluate programs and/or academic units for potential closure as part of a strategic response to our budget situation.
This week, the committee is sharing an expanded list of data points under consideration to inform their work. We are committed to providing academic unit summaries of this data to deans, chairs, and directors so they can review, interpret, and discuss how the information may inform future committee recommendations.
To be clear: no decisions have been made or are pre-determined. The Goal 3 Committee views its recommendations as part of an iterative process that actively engages potentially affected units, and we are committed to sharing them with the community before bringing forward recommendations.
The types of data being reviewed and considered include:
Academic Programs | Number of majors, minors, degrees, or other credentials |
Academic Units | Composition of smallest academic home for which a faculty is appointed and manages the reappointment, promotion, and tenure procedures |
Prior Academic Program Review Committee Reports | Recommended processes, criterion, and data reports |
Enrollment | Admissions at undergraduate and graduate levels, three-year completion, and trends over time |
Tuition Revenue | Student credit hours, tuition less discount, and instructional costs |
Graduation and Career Outcomes | Four-year graduation rates, six-year graduation rates, movement to other majors, movement from other majors, and career outcomes |
Mission Alignment | Credit hours of department, credit hours in common curriculum, minors, DU strategies, values, or commitments per prior initiatives and the December 2025 Goal 3 retreat’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis |
Potential for Revenue Growth | Research productivity, advancement priorities, reputation, and alignment with workforce demands and trends |
Expenses | Ten-year budget and enrollment review, academic unit composition: administrative appointments, faculty (full-time equivalent or FTEs) year budget and enrollment review, academic unit composition: administrative appointments, faculty FTEs rank and series, staff FTEs, compensation, outside services, and association with outside services/auxiliary unit management |
I express continued thanks to committee chairs Leslie Hasche, Jennifer Karas, and the entire Goal 3 Committee for their efforts.
We thank you all for your dedication and commitment to the educational mission at the University of Denver.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor