Weekly Letter from the Provost—October 16 Edition
Dear colleagues,
Week six! I suspect I’m not the only one who finds it hard to believe. From the faculty and staff award luncheon on Tuesday to this weekend’s First Ascent at the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, my week has been full of reminders of what makes our community so special. Thank you for your contributions to DU and, in particular, your commitment to the well-being and success of our students!
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
Founding Dean Search Updates
We closed the application window for our two founding dean searches on Oct. 15. I am grateful to each of the search committee members and to their chairs (Sahara Byrne, MCE+GSSW+GSPP; Naomi Boyd, NSM+RSECS) for their efforts.
In terms of next steps, the search committees will complete first-round interviews this month. Finalists will be invited to present to the DU community before the end of fall quarter, during the first two weeks of November. The goal is to announce the dean appointments in December in time for a Jan. 1, 2027, start date.
Faculty and Staff Award Luncheon Recap
Since 2014, DU has hosted a luncheon dedicated solely to honoring outstanding faculty and staff. On Tuesday, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Inclusive Community Jeff Banks, and I had the opportunity to continue this wonderful tradition by honoring six faculty, three staff, and one program as 2026 honorees. Please join me in congratulating these worthy recipients.
- Kateri McRae: University Lecturer Award
- Sachin Desai: Distinguished Teaching Award
- Shannon Murphy: Distinguished Scholar Award
- Andrea Stanton: Faculty Service Award
- Benjamin Paul Gochman: Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching Award
- Mohammad H. Mahoor: Distinguished University Professor Award
- Marissa Olan: Staff Innovator Award
- Katia Miller: Crimson and Gold Award
- Hope Danecki: Outstanding Service Award
- DU’s Learning Effectiveness Program: Quality Department Award
First Ascent Weekend at Kennedy Mountain Campus
First Ascent is an exciting and impactful DU tradition offering our newest Pios a weekend full of exploration, adventure, connection, and learning. Attendees consider this trip a highly effective way to step out of their comfort zone and to build new connections. Over the course of the fall quarter, members of the fall 2026 cohort have been taking advantage of First Ascent trips to KMC. I look forward to spending time with them this weekend and watching them live the 4D Experience.
Zoom to Teams Transition
As was announced on Friday, Oct. 9, the University of Denver is transitioning from Zoom to Microsoft Teams as its enterprise collaboration and video conferencing platform. The University will fully sunset Zoom on Friday, June 11, 2027.
To learn about the project process, updates, and FAQs, please visit our Zoom to Teams Transition website.
To help us develop support resources, tell us more about how you currently use Zoom and how we can support your transition to Teams through a brief survey.
Registration Now Open for DU Night at Zoo Lights
Join us on Saturday, Nov. 7, as the Denver Zoo opens its gates exclusively for our DU community. Stroll through dazzling light displays, enjoy free carousel and train rides, and meet Santa and Ellie Elf for a festive photo.
This year, your attendance supports the DU Food Pantry. A portion of each adult ticket is donated directly, and guests are invited to take part in a family-friendly service project assembling baking kits for pantry patrons.
Ticket Options:
Adults: $36
Youth (ages 3–11): $31
Children under 3: Free
DU Night at Zoo Lights
Saturday, Nov. 7
5:30-9:30 p.m.
Last admission: 8 p.m.
2300 Steele St.
Denver, CO 80205
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
New Student Success Data “Hive” Now Available in Data Insights
The Offices of Student Success and Institutional Research are pleased to share a new Student Success Data “hive” in Data Insights within My4D. Instead of searching across Data Insights for different dashboards, this hive compiles multiple success metrics in one place to provide data across the student lifecycle, from registration through graduation and beyond.
You can access the hive here. Note that a VPN is required if you are off campus. Please contact studentsuccess@du.edu with any questions.
GSSW Receives Five-Year Grant for Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) was awarded a five-year grant ($3.25 million) for scholarships for disadvantaged students from the Health Resources and Services Administration to strengthen the health professions and nursing workforce.
This award was made possible through the leadership of Professor Michele Hanna and Clinical Professor Michael Talamantes and with significant support from Mariegrace Veres, director of enrollment. With these funds, GSSW anticipates awarding 20 scholarships per year—each covering 50% of tuition plus books (all awardees) and health insurance (Denver campus awardees only). Each awardee will also have five hours per year of tutoring paid for by the dean’s office. Thank you as well to Dean Henrika McCoy for championing this effort and giving me the opportunity to share GSSW’s exciting news with all of you. As I will share in the coming weeks, scholarships will be a core component of our next strategic plan. Having the ability to support our students, financially and academically, makes the DU promise more real, personal, and attainable.
“How DU We Educate Compassionate Citizens?”: Faculty and Staff Survey
Faculty and staff who engage frameworks such as the public good, social-emotional learning, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and more are invited to participate in a brief survey assessing compassion education in curricular and co-curricular spaces at DU. The purpose of the survey is to provide an audit of the compassion-related knowledge, values, and skills we are teaching DU students, as well as to gather input on what compassion education at DU should look like in the future in order to inform grant-funding requests.
Please complete the survey by Oct. 26, 2026.
4D Experience Presents Story Mosaic: “Second Chances”
Please join us for our upcoming Story Mosaic event featuring the theme “Second Chances” on Nov. 2 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Community Commons, Room 1001.
Have you ever made such a big “mistake” you thought you would never recover? But someone gave you the grace to grow, try again, and do better? This Story Mosaic centers on experiences of being granted “second chances” in our personal and professional lives that propel us toward who we are becoming. We invite students, staff, faculty, and alumni to share and listen to powerful stories of redemption and transformation. Light refreshments will be provided.
Register for the event on Crimson Connect, or sign up to be a storyteller.
University Writing Program Fall Showcase of Student Writers
The University Writing Program celebrated its Fall Showcase honorees on Thursday, Oct. 8. This event began in 2019 as a showcase of exemplary student writing—a chance to shine a spotlight on the amazing work we see in our classrooms. We gathered to celebrate with our students; they inspire us through their effort, their insight, their empathy, and their creativity. Thank you to the faculty and staff in the writing program who create such engaging and meaningful experiences for our students.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-Transformed Workforce
DU’s Undergraduate Hospitality Program Receives National Attention for Student Salary Outcomes
The Money section of the New York Times recently highlighted university-specific, program-level starting salaries of recent graduates, using federally available data. The Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management’s undergraduate program was ranked in the top five in the country, with students earning an average starting salary of $75,118. Congratulations and thank you to David Corsun and the faculty and staff who provide their students with a leading classroom experience that prepares them for outstanding starting salaries.
2026 Colorado Law School Fair: A Resource for Students Exploring Legal Education
The Western Association of Pre-Law Advisors and the University of Denver invite students to attend the 2026 Colorado Law School Fair, featuring admissions representatives from 84 law schools and legal education organizations across the country.
The fair provides students with an opportunity to connect directly with law school representatives, explore academic programs and areas of specialization, learn about admissions requirements, and discover legal education opportunities at institutions nationwide.
Participating schools include Albany Law School, American University Washington College of Law, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Boston College Law School, Colorado Law, Emory University School of Law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Notre Dame Law School, UC Berkeley School of Law, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (my personal favorite!), University of Texas School of Law, University of Washington School of Law, and many others.
Faculty are encouraged to share this opportunity with students who may be considering law school, regardless of their major, class standing, or academic discipline. The fair can serve as a valuable resource for students exploring legal careers and seeking to learn more about the law school application process.
The fair is Oct. 19, noon-3 p.m., at the Ritchie Center, and more information is available.
Career and Professional Development Industry Insights Panels
Please encourage your students to join Career and Professional Developmentthis quarter for Industry Insights, a series of engaging in-person panels and networking opportunities where students explore diverse career paths, connect with top industry professionals, and gain valuable insights to power their job search.
Whether students are exploring a first job or considering a career pivot, these events are designed as a launchpad for all students to bring their curiosity, questions, and ambition.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Proposals Now Accepted for DU Research Center and Institute Designation
Proposals are now being accepted for designation as a University of Denver Research Center or Research Institute. Applications are due Dec. 1, 2026. This proposal process is guided by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) policy on Research Centers and Institutes (ORSP-05). Review section three of ORSP-05 for the relevant application criteria.
Please note that Research Centers do not have to submit all the materials required by the Institute process, and the policy has been updated to reflect this change. Questions should be directed to Corinne.Lengsfeld@du.edu.
Reminder: Nominations Now Open for the 2027 RSCW Awards
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs invites nominations of outstanding DU faculty for the second annual Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works (RSCW) Awards. These awards celebrate exceptional research, scholarship, creativity, and impact across career stages and disciplines.
New this year is the RSCW Dissertation Award, which recognizes an exceptional doctoral dissertation that demonstrates significant achievement in research, scholarship, or creative work. Nominations are open until Oct. 28.
Learn more about award categories and the nomination process on the RSCW Awards website. Reach out to ORSP at honorifics@du.edu with questions.
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 newsletter. Previous newsletters can be found on the provost’s communication center on the University’s website.
Wishing you sustained energy and persistence at the midpoint of the fall quarter!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor