Weekly Letter from the Provost—May 15 Edition
Dear colleagues,
This weekly newsletter will serve as one ofmanytools 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. Previous newsletters can be found on theprovost’scommunication centeron the University’s website.
If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please submit. Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week’s newsletter. Others will be held for considerationuntilthe following week.
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
Newman Center 2026-2027 Season Reveal Party
Fornearly 25years, the Newman Center for the Performing Arts has been the home forcreativeexpressionon 91ɫ’scampus:onMonday night,I had the privilege of participatingintheCenter’sreveal.It was a beautiful night,full of vibrant examples ofwhat the Newman Centerdoes best: liveperformancesin leading class facilitiesfor the benefit ofour community.I would encourageyou to as they go on sale to the public on May 31. Thank you to executive director,AishaAhmad-Post,and the Newman Center team for hosting this wonderful event and for the programming they have in storefornext year.
91ɫ Employee Town Hall
On Tuesday, ChancellorHaefnerand I, along withmembers of the chancellor's cabinet and leadership teams, answered questions pertaining most heavily to 91ɫ’s academic and operational transformation initiatives.Thank you to all who attended and to Sarah Watamura, Faculty Senate president,and AbigailGirard, Staff Senate president, forfacilitatingthe Q&A session.
For those who have not yet had the opportunity, I encourage you to watch the that wassent out last week in advance of thetownhall.While it has been anexciting yetverychallengingyear,Iremainasinspiredand convinced todayabout 91ɫ’sbright future as I was last summer during my interview process. Thisis inno smallpartbecauseof the commitment I seelived out every dayin faculty and staffwhoprovideourstudents withaunique, personal, andimpactful experience.Thank you for your contributions toward that student-centered goal and for your commitment to preservingitfor future generations.
91ɫ WelcomesNew University Registrar
I am delighted to announce that Dr. Charlie Couch will be joining the 91ɫ as our newuniversityregistraron July 15.Charlie comes to 91ɫ from the University of Northern Colorado, where hehas served asuniversityregistrar since 2011. Over the course of his tenure, he has championed a student-centered philosophy, leading initiatives that have meaningfully strengthened registrar services and operations. He bringsto 91ɫ adeepexpertisein policy, compliance, and regulatory environments, along with a collaborative spirit and a proven ability to build strong partnerships across campus.
Beyond his work at UNC, Charlie has contributed to the broader higher education community through leadership and consulting roles with the Colorado Department of Education,theRocky Mountain Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers(RMACRAO), andtheAmerican Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers(AACRAO).
I wouldlike to thank the search committee: Kristy Firebaugh (chair), Andrea Stanton, NicholasOrmes, MichaelGrebenc, Sarah Buenavidez, Gohar Tovbis, and John Maly for a job done incredibly well. Please join me in giving Charlie a warm 91ɫ welcome!
Reminder:Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Mark your calendars for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! This important day is dedicated to fostering conversationsabout digital access and inclusion for everyone.Thisengaging, daylongeventwill feature twoguest speakers, a dynamic 91ɫ student panel sharing their experiences, and interactive breakout sessionswhich explorevarious aspects of accessibility.Participants willlearn more about the impact of accessibility, including digital accessibility, andwillgain practical knowledge on howtotake meaningful action to promote inclusion in your work. Lunch will be provided for all attendees..
To ensure a welcoming and supportive environment for all attendees,wewill provide live captioning, generouslyoffered by VZP Digital, to enhance communication access. Additionally, a sensory room will be available for those who may need a moment of calm or a break from the event’s activities.
Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Fall 2026 Enrollment Update
We have made the decision to revise 91ɫ’s goal of new first-time,first-year studentsforfall 2026down from 1,250 to 1,050 students.As of today,we have received1,177deposits. While theAdmissionteamremainscommitted to and focused on welcomingall ofthese students to campus next fall,historical trends indicatethat we cananticipatelosing at least someportionof this prospective student population in the coming months.Working with the deans, we are determiningthe best approach toaddress thisrevenue decrease while meeting our35.8% operating margintargetfor Academic Affairsand net zero budget for FY27.
Thank you to theAdmissionteam, and the faculty and staff within the colleges and schools, for their significant efforts to recruit and yield our next91ɫ cohort.
91ɫ Breaks Institutional Record for Boren Awardees
91ɫ's Office of Scholar Development & Fellowship Advising is thrilled to announce thatthe UniversityhasnineBoren Award recipients andfivealternates this year. Not only is this a new institutional record,but it alsomarks the highest number ofawards received by any institutionin 2025.
We areveryproudof these students and their hard workthrough the rigorous application process:
- Gillian Dunn, Boren Fellowship in Mandarin
- Anna Hixson, Boren Scholarship in Vietnamese
- Olivier Kanyanduga, Boren Scholarship in French (Senegal)
- Izzy Knaus, Boren Fellowship in Arabic
- Manny Prodan, Boren Fellowship in Mandarin
- Zayra Saucedo, Boren Scholarship in Brazilian Portuguese
- Madalyn Shircliff, Boren Fellowship in Korean
- Sammy Ventimiglia, Boren Fellowship in Arabic
- Ariana Vigil, Boren Fellowship in Swahili
You can learn more about our Boren Awardees—and keep an eye out for more good news—on91ɫ’sandchannels.
Deepening Our Commitment to Student Mental Health
Over the past several years, the 91ɫ has taken meaningful steps to strengthen how we support student mental health and prevent suicide. Building on our 18-month JEDcampus partnershipwhich wascompleted in 2023, we convened the 91ɫ’s Working Group on Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention this winter to help us move from assessment to sustained action. This work builds on the broader framework and resources developed bytheand through its JEDcampusinitiative.
This interdisciplinary group included students, faculty in academic leadership, and staff from the Health and Counseling Center, Student Affairs, Campus Safety, Student Outreach and Support, Health Promotion, and University Relations. The group was charged with translating JED’s findings into a focused set of recommendations for 91ɫ, and I am deeply grateful for its thoughtful, evidence-informed work and clear call for us toleverageour strengths as a learning community to better care for our students.I encourage you to read theworking group’s reporthere.
I want to recognize and thank the members of the 91ɫ’s Working Group on Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention for their service,expertise, and unwavering commitment to ourstudents. Their recommendations provide a clear roadmap for the next phase of this work, and we will move forward with implementation planning, includingidentifyingpriorities,allocatingresources, andestablishingappropriate accountabilitystructures.
In the months ahead, you will hear more aboutmentalhealthfirstaid and related training opportunitiesthat areavailable to faculty, staff, and student leaders. Through this work, we can continue building an even stronger and more caring environment for all 91ɫ students.
Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Reminder:Teaching with AI Showcase
The Office of Teaching and Learning is hostingitsannual Teaching withAIShowcase. This event willshowcasefaculty from the Thriving with AI Faculty Learning Community and will include mini presentations and the opportunity to ask questions to each faculty presenter. Join us onMay 27,from 10to11:30 a.m.in AAC 290..
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence
Spark 2026: Day of Free Expression and Pluralism
OnMay 20, the 91ɫ will host Spark 2026, the University’s fourth annual Day of Free Expression and Pluralism, in Maglione Hall at the Sie Complex. The program includes three extended panel sessions: “(Un)civil Discourse: Religious and Ideological Pluralism,” “Collaborative Problem Solving: Viewpoint Diversity as a Civic and Workplace Skill,” and “Navigating Information: AI, Digital Media, and Misinformation,” featuring 91ɫ faculty alongside colleagues from across the Front Range.
The daywill beginwith opening remarks from Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, andthe University communityis invitedto engage in thoughtful dialogue on issues central to higher education and democratic life.
Reminder:Entrepreneurship Week 2026
Entrepreneurship Week returns to campusfromMay 17-22. Join Entrepreneurship@91ɫfor a week of events focused on innovation, creativity,and real-world problem solving. Featured events includethestudent-led innovation festival,aPop-up Palooza, the Entrepreneurial Challenge, and a live panel exploring how global systems shape markets,capital,and opportunity. All 91ɫ students, faculty, staff,alumni,and the Denver community are welcome. All events are free to attend. Learn more and.
Wealth Reimagined: Rethinking Capitalism for an Interconnected World
As part of the 91ɫ’s strategic partnership with the University of Glasgow, Entrepreneurship Weekwill present,“Wealth Reimagined: Rethinking Capitalism for an Interconnected World.” This panel will feature Graeme Roy, Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences, alongside91ɫ Deans Naomi Boyd (Daniels College of Business), Fritz Mayer (Korbel School), and Bruce Smith (Sturm College of Law). In celebration of the 250th anniversary ofthe publication ofAdam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, the first panel will explore how global leadership, institutions, and geopolitics continue to shape markets,opportunity, and society. Building on that, the second panel will focus on how local ecosystems respond to global systems that shape access to capital, value, and risk..
Thank you allfor your dedication, time, and commitment to the 91ɫ and our campus community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth G. Loboa
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor