Welcome to MSU Denver

Dr. Janine Davidson, President of MSU Denver
Photo by Alyson McClaran

MSU Denver was founded to serve students. Our 2030 Strategic Plan describes how our University will evolve to continue meeting students where they are and providing a learning experience catered to their unique needs. Because 78% of our graduates remain in Colorado long-term, our students’ success fuels Colorado’s economy and civil society.”

Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President, MSU Denver
August 2024

The 2030 Strategic Plan

MSU Denver’s 2030 Strategic Plan serves as a guiding framework for decision making and provides clear direction for the future of the University to drive success, sustainability and excellence. MSU Denver’s vision is a natural extension of what it does best to educate and meet each student where they are in life.

The Pillars

“MSU Denver becomes even more important in connecting diverse populations into the entire experience of higher education through our strategic plan and five pillars, so our students can find how they can be bigger than themselves.”

-Russell Noles, Past Chair, MSU Denver Board of Trustees

Pillar I

Pillar I Goals

Pillar II

Pillar II Goals

Pillar III

Pillar III Goals

Pillar IV

Pillar IV Goals

Pillar V

Pillar V Goals

The Phased Timeline to 2030

Phased Timeline graphic, Phases one through five. Text content of graphic below

 

Phase 1: Create

  • January 2019-March 2020: Engage campus stakeholders to develop 2030 Strategic Plan and distribute Executive Summary to University community.

Phase 2: Recover and Stabilize

  • April 2020-May 2023: Strategic pause on implementation due to pandemic. 2030 pillar metrics finalized by University and approved by Board of Trustees.

Phase 3: Launch

  • June 2023 – May 2026: Begin implementation process, using annual cadence to set objectives and key results and track progress.

Phase 4: Rise

  • June 2026 – May 2029: Review strategic plan targets and implementation process. Engage campus community to revise and refresh as needed.

Phase 5: Transform

  • June 2029- August 2030: Finish implementation and assessment of 2030 Strategic Plan. Incorporate lessons learned into next iteration.

The Process

Each year, the University will identify key priorities for implementation across the five pillars. Doing so will focus, align and commit resources, and permit us to measure progress toward our collective goals. Campus stakeholders will have ongoing opportunities to provide feedback, share new ideas, and participate in annual implementation of our long-term strategic vision. University Strategy will be responsible for providing regular public updates through shared governance bodies, including President’s Cabinet and the Board of Trustees.

To succeed, this process must be grounded in a growth mindset and a culture of continuous improvement.

For additional resources and in-depth updates on the University’s implementation process:

Pride Points

HSI DesignationHSI Logo with thext that reads "Metropolitan State University of Denver, Hispanic Serving Institution"

MSU Denver is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Seal of Excelencia Seal of Excelencia logo. Reads "Excelencia in Education 2023 to 2026. Intentionally serving Latinos"

MSU Denver is the only Colorado institution to earn this Hispanic-servingness distinction.

 

Best For Vets: CollegesDecorative icons of three human figures in blue.

MSU Denver was awarded the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges honor again in 2023 for services and support available to veterans.

 

Diversity ExcellenceLogo that reads "High education in excellence in diversity aware 2023. Insight into diversity two time recipient"

MSU Denver has received Insight Into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for 10 years running, from 2014 to 2023.

 

Campus Pride Index Honor RollCampus Pride logo. Reads "LGBTQ friendly campus, four and a flad star campus pride rating 2023"

MSU Denver has been recognized for LGBTQ-friendly programs, policies and practices, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 2023.

 

Civic EngagementCivic engagement medal graphic. Read "Gold Campus 70-79% voting rate. Presidential 2020 election"

MSU Denver has received repeated national recognition for civic engagement from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.