Weekly Letter from the Provost—March 27 Edition
Dear colleagues,
I hope this has been a restful spring break that has provided a chance to recharge before we begin the next quarter. Today’s newsletter is shorter than usual to reflect the reduced activity in and around campus this week.
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:
I hope this has been a restful spring break that has provided a chance to recharge before we begin the next quarter. Today’s newsletter is shorter than usual to reflect the reduced activity in and around campus this week.
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
Congratulations to DU Women’s Gymnastics and Men’s Ice Hockey!
I am delighted to celebrate the University of Denver women’s gymnastics team, who tied its fifth highest score of the season with a 196.575 to become the Big 12 Conference runner-up on March 21 at the Big 12 Gymnastics Championship. I also applaud the men’s hockey team, which captured the 2026 NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship this past weekend. They did so with an unforgettable 4-3 double‑overtime win over Minnesota Duluth at Magness Arena.
With these victories, both teams are heading to their respective 2026 NCAA tournaments. I applaud the players, coaches, and staff for their excellence, grit, and heart. The entire DU community is cheering loudly and joyfully as you advance!
With these victories, both teams are heading to their respective 2026 NCAA tournaments. I applaud the players, coaches, and staff for their excellence, grit, and heart. The entire DU community is cheering loudly and joyfully as you advance!
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Updates from the Goal 1 Committee
The Goal 1 Committee has three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts. You can review the committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
The committee has shifted efforts and is now evaluating possible recommendations against intended outcomes, costs, and other factors. They are also developing metrics for success, implementation considerations, and are prioritizing recommendations in the next few weeks. Some high impact recommendations have already been launched into action such as on-campus graduate recruitment and the evaluation of a math proficiency placement proposal.
My continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
The committee has shifted efforts and is now evaluating possible recommendations against intended outcomes, costs, and other factors. They are also developing metrics for success, implementation considerations, and are prioritizing recommendations in the next few weeks. Some high impact recommendations have already been launched into action such as on-campus graduate recruitment and the evaluation of a math proficiency placement proposal.
My continued thanks to committee chairs Corinne Lengsfeld, Todd Rinehart, and the entire Goal 1 Committee for their efforts.
Graduate Student Appreciation Week
Graduate Student Appreciation (GSA) Week seeks to emphasize the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students on campuses throughout the United States. It is celebrated annually during the first full week of April. To commemorate GSA Week at DU, the Office of Student Engagement has planned a week of fun events, free food, wellness activities, and opportunities for graduate students to connect with leadership and their peers. Faculty, please encourage your graduate students to take advantage of the week’s events for the chance to relax, recharge, and be appreciated.
More information about DU’s GSA week (April 6-10) is available on this website.
More information about DU’s GSA week (April 6-10) is available on this website.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Updates from the Goal 2 Committee
The Goal 2 Committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts. You can review the committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
The committee continues to refine key performance indicators (KPIs) to develop marketing approaches, gather student input, and arrange recommendations around their work’s five major themes. One of the substantial efforts already completed by the committee was a survey of area employers about AI adoption and skills expectations. 171 employers responded to the survey, and the committee is pleased to share a few initial findings below:
Employer Expectations
Among surveyed employers, 97% expect at least basic to intermediate AI proficiency in graduates. Critical thinking, particularly the ability to evaluate AI outputs, is identified as a primary indicator of AI readiness.
Skills Gaps
Employers report that early-career professionals often struggle with overreliance on AI, weak critical thinking, poor prompt design, and limited understanding of the technology’s constraints and ethical ramifications.
Preferred Engagement
Employers most frequently identify projects (34%), case studies (26%), tool access (24%), customized training (25%), sponsored projects (22%), and advisory boards (18%) as meaningful engagement formats for AI. With 71% of responding employers currently not engaged with DU, the findings indicate substantial untapped partnership potential for our University.
Early Career Impact
Survey responses suggest entry-level roles are being redefined (46%) more often than reduced, and more than half of the workforce will require AI upskilling within three years. Industry-specific applications and effective human-AI collaboration is expected to become increasingly essential.
The committee encourages campus partners to contact Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, or any committee member if they have ideas or suggestions, especially concerning existing DU strengths and innovations that prepare students for the AI-transformed workforce.
The committee continues to refine key performance indicators (KPIs) to develop marketing approaches, gather student input, and arrange recommendations around their work’s five major themes. One of the substantial efforts already completed by the committee was a survey of area employers about AI adoption and skills expectations. 171 employers responded to the survey, and the committee is pleased to share a few initial findings below:
Employer Expectations
Among surveyed employers, 97% expect at least basic to intermediate AI proficiency in graduates. Critical thinking, particularly the ability to evaluate AI outputs, is identified as a primary indicator of AI readiness.
Skills Gaps
Employers report that early-career professionals often struggle with overreliance on AI, weak critical thinking, poor prompt design, and limited understanding of the technology’s constraints and ethical ramifications.
Preferred Engagement
Employers most frequently identify projects (34%), case studies (26%), tool access (24%), customized training (25%), sponsored projects (22%), and advisory boards (18%) as meaningful engagement formats for AI. With 71% of responding employers currently not engaged with DU, the findings indicate substantial untapped partnership potential for our University.
Early Career Impact
Survey responses suggest entry-level roles are being redefined (46%) more often than reduced, and more than half of the workforce will require AI upskilling within three years. Industry-specific applications and effective human-AI collaboration is expected to become increasingly essential.
The committee encourages campus partners to contact Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, or any committee member if they have ideas or suggestions, especially concerning existing DU strengths and innovations that prepare students for the AI-transformed workforce.
Show Your Work: Portfolios and Personal Websites for Graduate Students
How do you showcase your skills, projects, and professional identity beyond a resume? In this month's Grad Series career development workshop, graduate students will learn how to create digital portfolios and personal websites that highlight their work, tell their stories, and support their career goals across industries. All are welcome!
Register at this link.
Register at this link.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Updates from the Goal 3 Committee
The Goal 3 Committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts. You can review the committee and subcommittee assignments on the Provost Office website.
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, many committee members spent this week on spring break and there are no new updates from the committee this week.
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.
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, many committee members spent this week on spring break and there are no new updates from the committee this week.
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.
Scrivner Policy Roundtable: Navigating Colorado’s AI Regulation Landscape
Join the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy for the next Policy Roundtable, an event series designed to build a collaborative research and learning network among local policy actors and the campus community. This roundtable is co-sponsored by the DU Center for Ethical Artificial Intelligence and is coordinated in partnership with the Program on Law and Emerging Technologies. It will explore Colorado’s evolving approach to AI regulation, with a focus on the tensions shaping these policy efforts. Learn more about Colorado's AI policy landscape from experts with a pulse on legislative, industry, and legal perspectives, and take part in discussions on the many complex considerations at play.
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, noon to 2 p.m.
Location: Maglione Hall (SIE 5025)
View this website for more information.
I wish you all the best as we enter the spring season and begin the next quarter on Monday!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, noon to 2 p.m.
Location: Maglione Hall (SIE 5025)
View this website for more information.
I wish you all the best as we enter the spring season and begin the next quarter on Monday!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor