Weekly Letter from the Provost—September 18 Edition
Dear colleagues,
After just two weeks, it's hard to believe that the fall quarter is already in full swing. It is exciting to see our beautiful campus re-energized by the return of so many of our students and faculty. I hope you've had a great start to the fall quarter and are taking full advantage of the opportunities our campus community provides to engage, connect, and thrive.
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
Board of Trustees Meeting Recap
This week, I had three opportunities to provide updates to DU's Board of Trustees on academic affairs.
Faculty and Educational Affairs Committee (FEAC)
On Monday, FEAC convened and took action to review and approve faculty status changes and honorifics. My presentation began with an enrollment update in which I shared the encouraging news that the 1,122 FTFY undergraduate students we welcomed to campus exceeded our budgeted goal of 1,050 students. For entering graduate students, we set a goal of 1,642 new students for the fall. We are still projecting between 1,600–1,620 new graduate students, but we outpaced our summer enrollment target by 175 students and remain on track to meet our enrollment goals this year.
From there, I spoke briefly about our financial outlook for FY 27. The challenging work we took last year, through academic transformation, coupled with the expense reductions implemented in the administrative units has allowed us to achieve our goal of a net zero FY 27 budget. As noted on pages 4 and 5 of the FY27 budget transmittal, we experienced a tuition/fees revenue decline of $40.6 million when comparing FY 27 Budget to FY 26 actuals, but that decline was offset by $32.1 million in expense reductions in the FY 27 budget when compared to FY 26 actuals.
I then provided a brief update on DU's Academic Transformation, focusing on the searches for our founding deans of both MCE/GSSW/GSPP and NSM/RSECS (see below for more information on these searches). I concluded with a preview of the framework we will be using to engage the campus community this academic year in developing a new, bold academic strategic plan. I look forward to sharing more information about this—and hearing your ideas—later this quarter.
Board Retreat
On Thursday, I presented the framework we will be using to develop DU's new academic strategic plan. Board members have challenged DU's senior leadership to think about ways to elevate the 4D experience for all, and I used my time in this meeting to illustrate how 4D Experience—particularly the intellect and careers dimensions—are at the heart of our academic strategy.
Full Board
Today's presentation included an enrollment update mirroring the one I provided to FEAC. Additionally, I provided a brief analysis of DU's performance in the U.S. News & World Report rankings relative to our peers ranked in the 90–100, where we would like to be within the next five years. The 2027 U.S. News rankings are still under embargo, but they will be released later this month.
Founding Dean Search Updates
As announced in last week's newsletter, the job postings for our two founding dean searches are now available online:
Applications are due Oct. 15. The search committees will complete first-round interviews in October. 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. 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. You may provide comments to the search committees and me on the top priorities to be considered during the search process at the links below.
Click here for DU Community Guidance for GSPP-GSSW-MCE Dean Search survey
- Access: Sahara Byrne, Leslie Hasche, Carter Kubic, and Cristina Meraz
- Open Sept. 11, 2026 – Close Sept. 30, 2026
- Will summarize themes to share with provost and search committee using AI
Your feedback will help inform the search committee's understanding of the leadership qualities, experiences, and priorities that are most important to our community. Please share the most important attributes you believe the founding dean of the combined GSPP-GSSW-MCE college should bring to the role and explain your reasoning.
Click here for DU Community Guidance for NSM-RSECS Dean Search survey
- Access: Naomi Boyd, Leslie Hasche, Amy Wiseneski, and Cristina Meraz
- Open Sept. 11, 2026 – Close Sept. 30, 2026
- Will summarize themes to share with provost and search committee using AI
Your feedback will help inform the search committee's understanding of the leadership qualities, experiences, and priorities that are most important to our community. Please share the most important attributes you believe the founding dean of the combined NSM-RSECS college should bring to the role and explain your reasoning.
University Lecture
On Wednesday, this year's University Lecture, Musuq Illa: Community-centered Andean Studies in Colorado, the Andean Highlands, and at the University of Denver, was presented by Alison Krögel, professor in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In her talk, Krögel discussed community-centered approaches to Andean studies and their impact across Colorado, the Andean Highlands, and the University of Denver. Thank you to all who were able to attend.
Join me for Lunch
I invite all faculty and staff to join me for an informal lunch in the Faculty Lounge (Community Commons 2800). These gatherings are an opportunity to connect, share your work, ask questions, and discuss the ideas and initiatives shaping our university community.
Upcoming Dates:
- Sept. 21
- Oct. 12
- Nov. 16
- Jan. 25
- Feb. 15
- March 15
- April 19
- May 17
I look forward to hearing your perspectives and learning more about the important work taking place across DU.
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
4D Fall Kick-Off Events
Taking place September 22-24, the 4D Fall Kick-Off features a series of events that bring the campus community together to learn more about 4D initiatives, explore student data and trends, and connect in new ways. Highlighted events next week include:
Tuesday, Sept. 22
4D Update Presentation: Learn more about 4D initiatives and updates and connect with colleagues. This event is a great way to get plugged into what's happening across campus in support of DU's holistic 4D approach! Register for the presentation on Crimson Connect.
Compassion Lab Guiding Light Network, Golden Hour Gathering from 4 – 5 p.m.: Faculty and staff interested in compassion education are invited to join us for "golden hour," including free drink tickets, appetizers, and conversation around "how DU we educate compassionate citizens?" Read more and sign up to attend the gathering on Crimson Connect.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Well-being Concert from 9 – 10 a.m.: Inspired by Carnegie Hall Well-being Concerts, this musical performance will infuse elements of mindfulness and self-care. The event is co-hosted by the Lamont School of Music & Theatre, the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, and the 4D Experience team. All DU community members welcome. Register for the Well-being Concert on Crimson Connect.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Student Experience Survey Data Walk: Join us for a data walk co-hosted by Institutional Research, 4D, and Student Success to explore DU student data and trends from the 2026 Student Experience Survey. The survey instrument was first administered in 2025 in partnership with Gallup, as a no-cost benefit of DU's membership in the LearningWell Coalition through the 4D Experience. Register for the data walk on Crimson Connect.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-Transformed Workforce
2026 Fall Career & Internship Fair
Join us at DU's Fall all-majors career and internship fair. This is an on-campus event where students and alumni have the opportunity to meet employers who are looking for talented future team members across all majors. Employers attending will share information about full-time and/or internship positions within their organizations.
Thursday, Sept. 24
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: The Community Commons, 2055 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210
Student Employees Achieve (SEA) Badge Registration
The Student Employees Achieve (SEA) badge helps student employees connect their on-campus work experience to the skills employers value most, preparing them to confidently communicate their workplace readiness during the job search. Through weekly skill-building activities focused on transferable career competencies, students strengthen their performance in their current roles and future careers, culminating in a mock interview with real talent acquisition professionals.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Reminder: Call for Applications for Faculty Interdisciplinary Work Mini Grants
The Interdisciplinary Work Working Group of the Office of Faculty Success is offering $250 mini grants to spark and support interdisciplinary faculty projects related to research, creative work, or teaching. These projects should be either completable or reach significant milestones by March 31, 2027. Non-visiting appointed faculty are eligible to apply. Submit your application by the deadline, Sept. 23.
Please contact Andrea Stanton (andrea.stanton@du.edu), associate dean for Curricular Advancement and leading the launch of CAHSS imp:ACT Institute for Interdisciplinary Majors and Programs, with any questions.
Welcoming & Celebrating DU Fulbright Scholars Reception
Join us as we warmly welcome DU's first-ever Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, Professor Johannes John-Langba of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa, and celebrate the 2026–27 DU Fulbright U.S. Scholar grantees and the achievements of our alumni.
Together, we are building a stronger DU Fulbright community, one that connects faculty, alumni, students, and partners while advancing DU's commitment to global engagement and international collaboration.
Prospective faculty applicants are especially encouraged to attend, to learn more about the Fulbright experience and be inspired by alumni stories.
Special thanks to our sponsor: DU Black Studies.
Monday, Sept. 21
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Community Commons, 4th floor West Wing
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 continued productivity and joy in the early phases of the fall quarter!
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor