Weekly Letter from the Provost鈥擩an. 16 Edition
We are concluding the second week of the winter quarter. After a nice break which brought 2025 to a close, we are now in a race for the next 20 weeks, working our way through the consecutive winter and spring quarters. While I experienced the quarter system as a student when I was in graduate school, this is my first year working at a university under this system. I am coming to appreciate the challenges and rewards of maintaining such an intense schedule until June. Allow me this opportunity to thank you in advance for your commitment and service to 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 academic mission, particularly over the next several months.听
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. We are grateful for your interest and support. 听
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If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week鈥檚 newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week. 听
Today鈥檚 update falls into four categories: 听听
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. We are grateful for your interest and support. 听
听
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week鈥檚 newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week. 听
Today鈥檚 update falls into four categories: 听听
- Campus news and happenings 听听
- Goal 1: Shape enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for all students 听
- Goal 2: Improve career outcomes and better prepare our students to succeed and lead in an AI-transformed workforce 听
- Goal 3: Strengthen academic excellence听
Campus News and Happenings
吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Annual Faculty and Staff Awards Celebration
On Monday, I had the privilege of hosting this year鈥檚 Faculty and Staff Awards celebration along with Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Jeff Banks. It is important and inspiring for our community to come together to recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our colleagues. This year鈥檚 awardees represent the best of 吃瓜大本营, and I would like to take this opportunity to extend heartfelt congratulations to each of them:听
Faculty Awards
Faculty Awards
- Alan Chen, Distinguished University Professor Award听
- Allyson Garcia, Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching Award
- Helen Hazen, Distinguished Teaching Award听
- Alison Kr枚gel, University Lecturer Award
- Corinne Lengsfeld, Faculty Service Award听
- Suisheng Zhao, Distinguished Scholar Award听
Staff Awards
- Cortney Hallagin, Crimson and Gold Award听
- Michael LaFarr, Outstanding Service Award听
- Stacey Stevens, Staff Innovator Award听
- Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, Quality Department Award听
Chancellor鈥檚 Roundtable Meeting听
On Wednesday, I joined Chancellor Haefner for the quarterly meeting of the Chancellor鈥檚 Roundtable where I was able to engage key Denver-area business and civic leaders in a conversation about 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 uses of AI across academic affairs. 听
The Academic Affairs鈥 Goal 2 committee鈥攗nder the leadership of Liz Lierman and Lorenzo Patelli (please see below for more information on this committee)鈥攊s currently surveying leaders across the Denver community to identify strategies and content that will better prepare 吃瓜大本营 students for success within industries evolving in response to AI. The Chancellor鈥檚 Roundtable gave me a similar opportunity to learn more about what AI-related skills and knowledge employers are seeking the most from recent graduates.听
The Academic Affairs鈥 Goal 2 committee鈥攗nder the leadership of Liz Lierman and Lorenzo Patelli (please see below for more information on this committee)鈥攊s currently surveying leaders across the Denver community to identify strategies and content that will better prepare 吃瓜大本营 students for success within industries evolving in response to AI. The Chancellor鈥檚 Roundtable gave me a similar opportunity to learn more about what AI-related skills and knowledge employers are seeking the most from recent graduates.听
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Provost Fireside Chat to Celebrate the Community Commons Birthday听
On January 11, 2021, 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Community Commons (CC) opened its doors. Its picturesque view, comfortable lounges, expanded dining options, and green roof venue were all designed to invigorate our students鈥 campus experience. 听
To celebrate its fifth birthday, CC leadership hosted a Provost Fireside Chat and invited me to engage students in a conversation about the University鈥檚 strengths and appeal within the higher education landscape. My thanks to Madison Singh, fraternity and sorority life graduate assistant, for the invitation to participate. I am grateful as well to Thomas Walker, senior manager of strategic initiatives and support, and Ethan Turner, Undergraduate Student Government president, for moderating the session.听
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To celebrate its fifth birthday, CC leadership hosted a Provost Fireside Chat and invited me to engage students in a conversation about the University鈥檚 strengths and appeal within the higher education landscape. My thanks to Madison Singh, fraternity and sorority life graduate assistant, for the invitation to participate. I am grateful as well to Thomas Walker, senior manager of strategic initiatives and support, and Ethan Turner, Undergraduate Student Government president, for moderating the session.听
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Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Updates from the Goal 1 Committee
As mentioned last week, the Goal 1 committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts:听
- Recruitment ecosystem and market position: Melissa Akaka and Adrienne Oddi, co-chairs听
- Student success, belonging, and retention: Kristy Firebaugh and Jonathan Sciarcon, co-chairs听
- Degree progression and graduation outcomes: Kristin Deal and Darin M. L. Stewart, co-chairs
I offer my appreciation to committee chairs Todd Rinehart, Corinne Lengsfeld, and the entire Goal 1 committee for their efforts.听
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Help Students Thrive: Take a Coach Approach Training
The Office of Academic Advising and Student Success Coaching hosted its seventh "Help Students Thrive: Take a Coach Approach" training in early December. The cohort for this training consisted of two faculty members, three graduate student employees, and 13 staff members from across campus. They engaged in learning about effective coaching strategies to help students overcome setbacks, navigate challenges, and achieve their goals. The December 2025 cohort joins 115 past attendees that have committed to creating a campus culture of helping students thrive at 吃瓜大本营. Congratulations鈥痶o the December 2025 cohort!听
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Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Goal 2 Committee Updates
The Goal 2 committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts:听
- Improving career outcomes: Rae Ann Bories-Easley and Mike Furno, co-chairs听
- AI and workforce preparation: Stacey Stevens and Richard Colby, co-chairs听
- Student and faculty AI experience: Leslie Alvarez and Andrea Stanton, co-chairs听
My continued thanks to committee chairs Liz Lierman, Lorenzo Patelli, and the entire Goal 2 committee for their efforts.听
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AI Exchange: What Students Think About AI (And How They Actually Use It!)听
Next week, on Jan. 21 from 1 to 2 p.m., the Office of Teaching and Learning will host a panel discussion with current 吃瓜大本营 students to learn more about how they鈥檙e currently using AI, their views on its role in teaching and learning, and their hopes and concerns about its impact. Additional information and a link for registration can be found on . Come ready to challenge your assumptions and discover new possibilities.听
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Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Goal 3 Committee Updates听
As a reminder, the Goal 3 committee has established three subcommittees, with subcommittee co-chairs, which will inform their efforts:听
- Academic opportunities for revenue growth: Naomi Boyd and Sarah Watamura, co-chairs听
- Creative restructuring across schools, departments, and academic programs: Sahara Byrne and Naazneen Barma, co-chairs听
- Programs to be considered for closure: Bobbie Kite and Andrei Kutateladze, co-chairs听
I offer continued thanks to committee chairs Leslie Hasche, Jennifer Karas, and the entire Goal 3 committee for their efforts.听
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Request for Proposals: Public Good Fund for Faculty
The 2026 Public Good Fund is currently accepting proposals. This year, Public Good Grants of up to $25k are available to support projects that create public impact through community-engaged research or creative work, developed in the context of mutually beneficial and reciprocal community partnerships.听
The deadline to submit proposals is March 2, 2026, at noon. Visit the Center for Community Engagement's (CCESL) faculty & staff page to read the . 听
Please reach out to CCESL at ccesl@du.edu with any questions.听
The deadline to submit proposals is March 2, 2026, at noon. Visit the Center for Community Engagement's (CCESL) faculty & staff page to read the . 听
Please reach out to CCESL at ccesl@du.edu with any questions.听
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Announcing the Call for Partners in Scholarship Proposals
Faculty Signature Work Ambassadors are a new group of faculty who have come together across campus to advance . Ambassadors include鈥疢elissa Akaka (DCB), Sean Friar (CAHSS), Edward Garrido (CAHSS),鈥疪achel Horenstein (RSECS), and Alex Huffman (NSM). The ambassadors are working closely with Barb Hurtt (NSM), the faculty director of signature work, to identify and promote signature work being done by colleagues in the colleges and programs. They will provide insight and perspective on growing and improving support for undergraduate signature work, including pathways to research.鈥
Among the resources available for signature work at 吃瓜大本营 are PinS Signature Work Grants. Undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals for original faculty-mentored projects, including for research. The deadline for spring and summer projects is the start of week five (Feb. 2). To learn more, you can . In addition, faculty and undergraduate students are invited to bring any questions they have to an information session on Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. in Olin Hall 205, or email signaturework@du.edu.鈥
Among the resources available for signature work at 吃瓜大本营 are PinS Signature Work Grants. Undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals for original faculty-mentored projects, including for research. The deadline for spring and summer projects is the start of week five (Feb. 2). To learn more, you can . In addition, faculty and undergraduate students are invited to bring any questions they have to an information session on Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. in Olin Hall 205, or email signaturework@du.edu.鈥
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Tackling the Funding Landscape Together: Federal Updates and Key Changes in AI
Please join Senior Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education Corinne Lengsfeld and Lewis Burke Associates for our second quarterly discussion: 鈥淭ackling the Funding Landscape Together: Federal Updates and Key Changes in AI.鈥澨
This meeting will feature a presentation on current federal and congressional activity, and will then pivot to key developments in AI across federal agencies.听
Date: Jan. 21听
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Zoom:
This meeting will feature a presentation on current federal and congressional activity, and will then pivot to key developments in AI across federal agencies.听
Date: Jan. 21听
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Zoom:
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Two Faculty Members in CAHSS鈥 Department of History Recognized for their Scholarly Contributions听
Congratulations to Trish Patel, assistant professor in the department of history! Her book, , was published this week by the University of Virginia Press.听
My congratulations to Liz Escobedo, associate professor in the department of history! She was featured in an interview with on the changing role of women in combat.听
My congratulations to Liz Escobedo, associate professor in the department of history! She was featured in an interview with on the changing role of women in combat.听
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Pardee Research Report Launch Featuring Former Governor Bill Ritter
How can humanity address the twin crises of human development and climate change together? Join the 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Josef Korbel School of International Studies on Feb. 4 for the official launch of , a new report from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Octopus Energy, and 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures. 听
Featuring former Governor Bill Ritter, the UNDP鈥檚 Dr. Chibulu 鈥淟ulu鈥 Luo, and Dr. Jonathan Moyer, this evening event will explore a data-driven case for energy transition that advances both people and the planet. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend and can go to .听
Event Date: Feb. 4 at 5 p.m., the doors open and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
We wish you all a wonderful term and greatly appreciate your contributions to our campus community! 听
Sincerely, 听
Elizabeth G. Loboa听
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor听
Featuring former Governor Bill Ritter, the UNDP鈥檚 Dr. Chibulu 鈥淟ulu鈥 Luo, and Dr. Jonathan Moyer, this evening event will explore a data-driven case for energy transition that advances both people and the planet. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend and can go to .听
Event Date: Feb. 4 at 5 p.m., the doors open and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
We wish you all a wonderful term and greatly appreciate your contributions to our campus community! 听
Sincerely, 听
Elizabeth G. Loboa听
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor听
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