2022-2023 TIAA Chancellors Urban Engaged Scholars
One faculty member from each school and college has been selected to receive the TIAA Chancellor’s Urban Engaged Scholars award for the second year. Presented by CityCenter, this award recognizes the outstanding contributions of faculty to the Denver-metro region through community-engaged scholarship.
The research of the Urban Engaged Scholars addresses current urban issues in the Denver-metro region, while emphasizing community partnerships, local impact, and student involvement.
Meet this year's awardees.
Ersin Dincelli, PhD, MBA, Assistant Professor, Business School
Dincelli’s research focuses on cybersecurity and human-computer interaction (HCI). His research highlights individuals’ decision-making processes and behaviors in the context of information security and privacy, and HCI design for emerging technologies.
Owen Kortz, Senior Instructor, Faculty Director, College of Arts & Media
Kortz shares his love and knowledge of songwriting to empower youth experiencing homelessness in their self-expression through music and music production.
Priyanka deSouza, PhD, MSc, MBA, MTech, Assistant Professor, College of Architecture and Planning
deSouza’s research focuses on how to make cities around the world more resilient to the impacts of air pollution and climate change. A key element of her research explores the health impacts of pollution to vulnerable populations.
Wes Marshall, PhD, Professor, College of Engineering, Design and Computing
Marshall studies the road safety and active transportation issues facing the Denver metro region. His laboratory is our streets, and he is passionate about building a more livable and resilient city for everyone.
Jennifer Reich, PhD, Professor of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Faculty Director, University Honors and Leadership
Reich’s research focuses on vaccine hesitancy and decision making for families and individuals. Her research was invaluable during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Todd Ely, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs
Ely’s research focuses on improving stewardship of government and nonprofit financial resources for public purposes in the Denver-metro region and beyond.
Margarita Bianco, EdD, Associate Professor, School of Education & Human Development
Bianco’s Pathways2Teaching program helps to recruit and retain teachers of color to create spaces of educational equity. Additionally, Bianco researches strategies to create Grow Your Own teacher programs for high school students of color in urban and rural communities.