Weekly Letter from the Provost—Oct. 31
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as together, we pursue and achieve accomplishments toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. Thank you for your interest and support.
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s Friday newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s Friday newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week.
Today’s update falls into four categories:
- 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 Forward
I hope you saw this week’s exciting announcement about the 19 proposals selected for funding as part of the DU Forward initiative. Within the DU Forward framework, this past academic year, faculty and staff from across campus came together to dream. The result of those conversations, extensive work sessions, and proposal generation was a bank of ideas representing hope and pride in DU's potential. DU established a cross-campus steering committee who carefully reviewed each proposal and then submitted a smaller number to Chancellor Haefner and me to consider.
We would both like to acknowledge and thank the steering committee, as well as the two committee co-chairs, Anne DePrince and Brad Bohlander. We are deeply appreciative of them for the time and care they invested in this work. While every proposal could not be funded this year, we heavily utilized the committee’s thorough and thoughtful recommendations to approve one-year funding for the 19 projects that were selected, each of which is focused on improving the student experience and student outcomes. Proposals were chosen for their unique and impactful ability to help DU offer a preeminent student experience, boost enrollment, and make our University a place where all students can thrive.
While the funded projects represent an exciting first step, it is important to recognize that DU Forward is much broader—these proposals are just one part of a larger, ongoing commitment to DU excellence, innovation, and differentiation. There is much more to come with DU Forward, and these initiatives are only the beginning of what we will accomplish together.
We would both like to acknowledge and thank the steering committee, as well as the two committee co-chairs, Anne DePrince and Brad Bohlander. We are deeply appreciative of them for the time and care they invested in this work. While every proposal could not be funded this year, we heavily utilized the committee’s thorough and thoughtful recommendations to approve one-year funding for the 19 projects that were selected, each of which is focused on improving the student experience and student outcomes. Proposals were chosen for their unique and impactful ability to help DU offer a preeminent student experience, boost enrollment, and make our University a place where all students can thrive.
While the funded projects represent an exciting first step, it is important to recognize that DU Forward is much broader—these proposals are just one part of a larger, ongoing commitment to DU excellence, innovation, and differentiation. There is much more to come with DU Forward, and these initiatives are only the beginning of what we will accomplish together.
Listening and Learning Sessions Resume This Week
Sturm College of Law
Monday morning began with a half-day listening and learning session with community members from the Sturm College of Law. What a great way to start the week! Thank you to Dean Bruce Smith for hosting and to everyone who was able to join.
Chair Advisory Board (CAB) Fireside Chat
Later that day, I had a great conversation with members of DU’s Chair Advisory Board (CAB). Thank you to Eric Boschman, Cindy Cragg, Chad Leahy, and David Corsun for hosting and facilitating the session. And finally, thanks to CAB members for their participation and willingness to share their perspectives.
Beyond the Uniform Salon
Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of participating in “Beyond the Uniform: A Drinks and Desserts Salon” to honor veterans within the Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s Sturm Center. Thank you to DU Board of Trustees Member Emerita and Graduate School of Professional Psychology Board of Advisors MemberMargot Gilbert Frank for hosting this beautiful event. is both an academic clinical training site and a community behavioral health center for veterans, service members, and their families.
Celebration of Scholarships Reception
At Wednesday night’s Celebration of Scholarships Reception, I had the opportunity to meet some of our University’s most generous donors and the students they support through academic scholarships. It is always inspiring to hear about the impact philanthropy can have both on the lives of our students and on those who support their educational endeavors. On behalf of DU’s entire academic community, thank you to our donors for making the DU experience attainable.
鶹 Featured During Last Weekend’s Denver Broncos Game
If you have not seen this, I encourage all of you to take 30 seconds to watch the opening segment of , featuring scenes of our beautiful campus from this weekend’s national coverage of the Denver Broncos game. This type of exposure serves as a point of pride and an emblem of our connection with the city of Denver and the state of Colorado. It also provides national visibility into the DU experience!
State of the University Address Recap
I hope you had the opportunity to participate this week in Chancellor Haefner’s State of the University address. It is always great to come together as a community of people who are deeply passionate about—and work incredibly hard to support—this institution. I left the gathering energized and even more enthusiastic about partnering with the chancellor and our community to move DU further, higher, and faster.
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Introducing the Campus-wide Goal 1 Committee
Last week, I sent invitations to faculty and staff to serve on the committee that will work throughout the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year to explore DU’s approach to implementing and measuring our progress toward goal 1. This week, I am pleased to . Thank you to all who have agreed to serve and to Corinne Lengsfeld and Todd Rinehart for serving as co-chairs.
Introducing Membership in the Provost’s Student Advisory Groups
Last week, I sent invitations to two inaugural provost student advisory groups (one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students) to promote broader student engagement and to open a direct line of communication with student leaders. Thank you to the undergraduate and graduate students who agreed to serve.
Student Success and Retention Forum
Last Friday, I had the privilege of participating in the Student Success and Retention unit’s presentation on student mental health. These forums, hosted quarterly, are organized around a specific focus area and provide an opportunity to provide input and interact with data that impacts student success, retention, and graduation. This quarter’s presentation on student health provided yet another strong example of how much the DU community cares about our students. I am grateful to forum leaders for hosting this event and to all the faculty and staff who participated.
Daniels College of Business Students Win National Sales Competition
Congratulations to Caroline Vivanco and her team for winning first place in the Gallo Sales and Marketing Competition in Napa Valley last month! The Sales Leadership Center (SLC) is dedicated to the education, training, and development of sales leaders and the dissemination of sales knowledge. It is a great example of the way the SLC prepares students to succeed after graduation. The center serves as a crucial conduit between the 鶹 and the private sector, creating partnerships that focus on solving problems related to sales research, education, and recruiting. It also has its own degree minor, hosts competitions, and conducts research.
CAHSS Sociology Student Turns Personal Experience into Advocacy and Action
Hannah Adams, a first-generation senior undergraduate in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) Department of Sociology and Criminology, has found deep connections and a sense of purpose during her time at CAHSS and across the university. Please read her student spotlight story for an inspiring example of the power of her hard work to make the world a more accessible, accepting place.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Introducing the Campus-wide Goal 2 Committee
Last week, I sent invitations to faculty and staff who were nominated to serve on the goal 2 committee. and wish to thank them for their service. I would also like to say thank you to Liz Lierman and Lorenzo Patelli for serving as co-chairs of this important committee.
Shape the Future of AI at DU — Join the Center for Ethical Generative AI Applications (CEGAIA)!
The 鶹 is launching the CEGAIA, an interdisciplinary hub integrating AI and ethics across teaching, research, and community projects. We are inviting faculty, staff, and collaborators from all disciplines to get involved—whether you are already using AI or just curious to explore it.
Pilot projects start in 2025—you can help shape this transformative initiative by .
CEGAIA will:
Pilot projects start in 2025—you can help shape this transformative initiative by .
CEGAIA will:
- Support AI-focused teaching and curriculum innovation
- Collaborate on AI research
- Offer interdisciplinary programming
- Lead community efforts in AI policy and ethics
Get involved as:
- Faculty developing AI courses
- Researchers using AI in their work
- Staff with ideas on tools or infrastructure
- Fellows, advisory board members, or collaborators
Reminder: Access DU’s New Career Outcomes Dashboard
As I shared in previous newsletters, DU has released a to display career outcomes for graduates as a new and transparent way to share the University’s very compelling story.
The dashboard displays program-specific outcomes data (starting salaries, placements) at the undergraduate, masters/professional, and doctoral levels, that is easily parsed by college/school for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. We will update the dashboard after summer commencement when we have had time to collect and gather survey data from our 2025 graduates.
As a reminder, the Sturm College of Law tracks its outcomes separately in line with accreditation standards, and this data is available online as well.
The dashboard displays program-specific outcomes data (starting salaries, placements) at the undergraduate, masters/professional, and doctoral levels, that is easily parsed by college/school for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. We will update the dashboard after summer commencement when we have had time to collect and gather survey data from our 2025 graduates.
As a reminder, the Sturm College of Law tracks its outcomes separately in line with accreditation standards, and this data is available online as well.
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Introducing the Campus-wide Goal 3 Committee
I extended invitations last week to those nominated to serve on the goal 3 committee. Here is the . I am very grateful to all of these members for accepting my request. Thank you as well to Leslie Hasche and Jennifer Karas for serving as co-chairs.
On Campus Federal Appropriations Kickoff Meeting Next Week
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is hosting a federal on campus appropriations kickoff meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, noon–1 p.m. Please .
Ignite Talks at DU to Begin Next Month
Ignite Talks are coming to the 鶹. Beginning in Nov., these monthly gatherings will showcase bold ideas and innovative work from DU principal investigators and faculty. These sessions are designed to spark connections and uncover opportunities to work together. Join us as we explore new ways to collaborate and create greater impact across Denver and beyond.
Ignite Talk
Nov. 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Anderson Academic Commons, The Loft
This event will be held in-person only. Presentations will be recorded for those who wish to view them at a later time. Please emailAudry LaCronewith any questions.
Ignite Talk
Nov. 5, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Anderson Academic Commons, The Loft
This event will be held in-person only. Presentations will be recorded for those who wish to view them at a later time. Please emailAudry LaCronewith any questions.
Join Me for Lunch
Please join me in the Faculty Lounge (Community Commons 2800) from noon-1 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 3, for our “First and Third Mondays” lunch. Bring your food, questions, and ideas—I look forward to engaging with you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa