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“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
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.
“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
MSU Denver will provide a seamless and affordable undergraduate and graduate student experience from recruitment to degree completion where all students will have the opportunity to research, work and serve in the broader community, through robust service-learning, internships and undergraduate research programs.
MSU Denver will increase postsecondary credential attainment by working with K-12 schools, community colleges and other strategic partners to expand access to financial aid and create a responsive educational experience for Colorado’s diverse students, leading to careers that are critical to the state’s economic vitality and workforce needs.
MSU Denver will be known as Colorado’s best institution for ease of transfer, both in and out, through a flexible curriculum and welcoming environment that provides supportive policies, programs and processes to support the unique needs of transfer students.
MSU Denver will further develop and maintain effective curriculum processes that empower faculty to create new and innovative courses, certifications, micro-credentials, badges and other flexible “on- and off-ramps,” while also continuing to enhance learning spaces on campus.
MSU Denver will connect undergraduate and graduate students to industry and civic leaders both locally and globally; grow our experiential and service-learning opportunities; and encourage and recognize collaboration and cross-disciplinarity to ensure that students receive a well-balanced, holistic and relevant education.
MSU Denver will create a pipeline of high-impact career-related experiences for students, leveraging alumni and industry partnerships while embracing economic-impact opportunities throughout Colorado.
MSU Denver will be the community’s go-to resource for problem-solving by leveraging our expertise, inclusive community and welcoming physical space to address the most pressing issues of our day, while also creating a culture that values civic leadership and drives social change.
MSU Denver will elevate its role as an anchor institution by supporting excellent programs in the arts, athletics and culture that will enrich the community and build broad, diverse connections and relationships with external stakeholders.
MSU Denver will be a model for shared leadership that fosters an anti-racism environment and systemic transformation through a more representative workplace that attracts and retains diverse faculty and staff, while investing in DEI service, scholarship and practice.
MSU Denver will be known in Colorado as a connection point for people from diverse backgrounds and experiences that supports the respectful exchange of ideas and holds space for the collaborative work of advancing equity and inclusion in the state.
MSU Denver will be a national leader for serving Latinx students by creating and sustaining initiatives that support students as they achieve their academic goals and prepare for their careers.
MSU Denver will continue to improve compensation, benefits, professional development and our infrastructure backbone, while becoming a more representative workplace and enhancing our inclusive leadership environment – allowing leaders to lead from all levels of the University
MSU Denver will design and implement a comprehensive fundraising campaign, increase our endowed funds, examine our business model for new ways to grow revenue and work with a broad coalition of stakeholders to radically reform the state’s investment in public higher education and the diverse students the University serves.
MSU Denver will collaborate with its partners on the Auraria Campus to explore partnerships that ensure we remain contemporary and relevant through new construction and renovation to maximize enrollment and retention and better support academic programs.
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:
MSU Denver is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
MSU Denver is the only Colorado institution to earn this Hispanic-servingness distinction.
MSU Denver was awarded the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges honor again in 2023 for services and support available to veterans.
MSU Denver has received Insight Into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for 10 years running, from 2014 to 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.
MSU Denver has received repeated national recognition for civic engagement from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.