Weekly Letter from the Provost—March 13 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
March Staff Senate Meeting Recap
On Wednesday, I joined Mark DeLorenzo, senior vice chancellor for Business and Financial Affairs, for the Staff Senate’s meeting. During this gathering, we participated in a series of conversations around DU’s approach to managing revenue shifts over the past few years, and the academic transformation efforts underway to prepare the University for the future. Thank you to Staff Senate president Abigail Girard for the invitation to engage in such a robust and productive dialogue.
Join Me for Lunch!
Please join me in the faculty lounge (Community Commons 2800) from noon-1 p.m. on March 16 for our “First and Third Mondays” lunch. Bring your food, questions, and ideas—I look forward to engaging with you.
For reference, here are the dates reserved for lunches for the remainder of the winter and spring quarters:
For reference, here are the dates reserved for lunches for the remainder of the winter and spring quarters:
- April 6
- April 20
- May 6 (due to travel on May 4)
- May 18
- June 1
Join PSC, CAHSS, and RSECS Deans Next Week for a Fun Community Building Event
Deans Bobbie Kite, College of Professional Studies, Sahara Byrne, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and Michelle Sabick, the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, have agreed to be in the hot seat next week in an event they’re calling “Hot Ones vs. Deans.” (Watch this video for a preview of what they have boldly signed up for). There will be an interview host, food, and drinks to share. The event will be sponsored by the deans personally with no university funds. Event attendees will have a chance to learn things you may or may not want to know about these deans as people and as leaders—all while watching them go up the Scoville scale. You get insight; they get pain, and everybody wins!
Date: March 18 from 1-2 p.m.
Location: Community Commons, room 1700
Date: March 18 from 1-2 p.m.
Location: Community Commons, room 1700
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.
Thank you to the Goal 1 Committee for a productive March 4 meeting centered on the student journey. I was excited to meet with them and learn about efforts to streamline key processes, deliver consistent advising through a tandem model, and expand degree pathways that align with market needs. I very much appreciate the attention to graduate student success and curricular workflow, which is supported by the thoughtful use of enterprise systems and coordinated recruitment. These efforts strengthen student outcomes at every stage.
My continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
Thank you to the Goal 1 Committee for a productive March 4 meeting centered on the student journey. I was excited to meet with them and learn about efforts to streamline key processes, deliver consistent advising through a tandem model, and expand degree pathways that align with market needs. I very much appreciate the attention to graduate student success and curricular workflow, which is supported by the thoughtful use of enterprise systems and coordinated recruitment. These efforts strengthen student outcomes at every stage.
My continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) 4D Friday Website is Now Online
Congratulations and thank you to the numerous faculty and staff in CAHSS who have designed and rolled out a new 4D Fridays initiative this spring. This successful effort was done in collaboration with the Burwell Center for Career Advancement, DU alumni, and community partners.
In CAHSS, classes typically meet Monday through Thursday, allowing Fridays to be intentionally set aside for internships, research, creative work, career exploration, and community engagement. The 4D Fridays are a core expression of the University of Denver’s 4D Experience, integrating intellectual growth, well-being, character, and purpose into the undergraduate journey.
In CAHSS, classes typically meet Monday through Thursday, allowing Fridays to be intentionally set aside for internships, research, creative work, career exploration, and community engagement. The 4D Fridays are a core expression of the University of Denver’s 4D Experience, integrating intellectual growth, well-being, character, and purpose into the undergraduate journey.
Journey to DU: Welcoming Our Future Pioneers
Earlier this week, we welcomed admitted students and their families to campus for the event, “Journey to DU.” The event brought 1,017 attendees, including 410 students and 607 guests, with families joining us from 41 states. Colorado, California, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Washington were especially well represented.
The day highlighted the strong collaboration among the Undergraduate Admission team, colleges, and schools to recruit and yield fall 2026 applicants. Together, they created more than 45 opportunities for students to explore academic programs, meet faculty and staff, and learn how DU supports their success.
Student academic interests were wide-ranging, including psychology, biological sciences, business information and analytics, finance and international studies, mechanical engineering, political science, and accounting. These conversations showed the focus and motivation this group will bring to DU.
During the Ice Cream Social in Community Commons, I had the chance to meet many students and families as they shared what excites them about joining our community. Their enthusiasm was unmistakable.
Thank you to our colleagues across colleges, schools, and the Undergraduate Admission team for creating such a warm and informative experience. We look forward to welcoming many of these future Pioneers back to campus in the fall.
The day highlighted the strong collaboration among the Undergraduate Admission team, colleges, and schools to recruit and yield fall 2026 applicants. Together, they created more than 45 opportunities for students to explore academic programs, meet faculty and staff, and learn how DU supports their success.
Student academic interests were wide-ranging, including psychology, biological sciences, business information and analytics, finance and international studies, mechanical engineering, political science, and accounting. These conversations showed the focus and motivation this group will bring to DU.
During the Ice Cream Social in Community Commons, I had the chance to meet many students and families as they shared what excites them about joining our community. Their enthusiasm was unmistakable.
Thank you to our colleagues across colleges, schools, and the Undergraduate Admission team for creating such a warm and informative experience. We look forward to welcoming many of these future Pioneers back to campus in the fall.
Save the Date for DU’s 4th Annual Public Good Celebration
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join this year’s Public Good Celebration! This is an annual event hosted by the Office for Public Good Strategy & Research that celebrates university and community partners whose collaborative work makes a positive impact.
This daylong celebration will occur on May 13, and will consist of multiple events including the Student Signature Work Showcase (formerly the Undergraduate Research Showcase). Students are invited to submit a proposal to present a poster at the Showcase on their research or other signature work by April 13 using this form.
The schedule of events can be found on the official Public Good Celebration page and will be updated as details are finalized. Information from previous years can be viewed on this website.
This daylong celebration will occur on May 13, and will consist of multiple events including the Student Signature Work Showcase (formerly the Undergraduate Research Showcase). Students are invited to submit a proposal to present a poster at the Showcase on their research or other signature work by April 13 using this form.
The schedule of events can be found on the official Public Good Celebration page and will be updated as details are finalized. Information from previous years can be viewed on this website.
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.
The committee is actively working through the vision and strategy phase, which will run until early in the spring quarter. The committee met with me today to provide updates on their work to date and to confirm that the preliminary ideas under development are aligned with my charge.
I offer continued thanks to committee chairs Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, and the entire Goal 2 Committee for their efforts.
The committee is actively working through the vision and strategy phase, which will run until early in the spring quarter. The committee met with me today to provide updates on their work to date and to confirm that the preliminary ideas under development are aligned with my charge.
I offer continued thanks to committee chairs Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, and the entire Goal 2 Committee for their efforts.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Goal 3 Committee Updates
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.
The committee met with me today to provide updates, with all deans invited. The co-chairs reviewed the group’s work and timeline; subcommittees shared their processes and early ideas, and I answered questions to clarify the charge, roles, and decision-making processes. No programs or units were identified for potential closure at this meeting.
Initial data tables about programs were shared with the deans last Friday for feedback, with the goal of revising them for accuracy and usefulness as programs are identified for further review.
We appreciate the DU community’s continued patience as we work through these developmental steps that will inform the Goal 3 recommendations. Please contact Jennifer Karas or Leslie Hasche with ideas or requests to join conversations about the Goal 3 approach.
The committee met with me today to provide updates, with all deans invited. The co-chairs reviewed the group’s work and timeline; subcommittees shared their processes and early ideas, and I answered questions to clarify the charge, roles, and decision-making processes. No programs or units were identified for potential closure at this meeting.
Initial data tables about programs were shared with the deans last Friday for feedback, with the goal of revising them for accuracy and usefulness as programs are identified for further review.
We appreciate the DU community’s continued patience as we work through these developmental steps that will inform the Goal 3 recommendations. Please contact Jennifer Karas or Leslie Hasche with ideas or requests to join conversations about the Goal 3 approach.
Invitation and Call for Proposals: Interdisciplinary Game Symposium
The inaugural Interdisciplinary Game Symposium will take place on May 1 from 1-5 p.m., advancing three years of work by the Interdisciplinary Game Group. The group invites proposals through today, March 13, and welcomes contributions from faculty, students, and Denver-area gaming communities. Planned activities include roundtable discussions, game demonstrations, and a poster session. For more information, contact Bethany Waddington.
Panel Discussion: Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression at DU—Faculty Perspectives
Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression are similar concepts with key distinctions. Academic Freedom is a narrower, specialized concept focused on protecting research, creative work, and teaching in a faculty member’s specific discipline. Freedom of expression is broader and is foundational to the University’s mission and core values. Within a pluralistic community, it must be advanced in concert with a sustained commitment to inclusiveness that fosters open, respectful dialogue across diverse perspectives, enabling all members of the community to feel equally welcome to participate in intellectual exchange. This panel will feature faculty who will share their perspectives, challenges, and experiences with these principles in their research, creative work, and teaching.
Date: April 22, 12:30-1:45 p.m
Panelists:
Kate Casanova, director, School of Art and Art History
Scott Horowitz, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Aaron Schneider, professor, Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs
Anna Sher, professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Moderator:
Andrea Stanton, senior associate dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Register here for this panel.
As ever, I am grateful for your dedication to our students, your intellectual contributions, and your support to the DU community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Date: April 22, 12:30-1:45 p.m
Panelists:
Kate Casanova, director, School of Art and Art History
Scott Horowitz, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Aaron Schneider, professor, Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs
Anna Sher, professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Moderator:
Andrea Stanton, senior associate dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Register here for this panel.
As ever, I am grateful for your dedication to our students, your intellectual contributions, and your support to the DU community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor