Dear Lynx community, 
 
Last month, I was invited by Mayor Mike Johnston to attend the unveiling of his Denver Jobs Agenda. As part of the city’s $100 million investment plan, both the mayor and Adeeb Khan, executive director of Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), spoke about the role startups play in bringing high-paying jobs to Denver and training the next generation of local innovators. In 2025, Denver attracted more than $7 billion in venture capital investment—the second highest annual investment amount in the city’s history.  
 
The anchor of the city’s  Launch Denver initiative is a forthcoming innovation and entrepreneurship hub CU Denver is establishing in partnership with DEDO. As I noted  last month​, the Denver Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) recommended $4.5 million to support the development of the hub, pending city council approval. It was encouraging to see CU Denver recognized for the role we have long played as an engine for talent, research, and innovation.  
 
As a public urban research university, our role has never been to simply educate. We live in an era when information is available at the swipe of a finger. Our value exists in our ability to translate knowledge and discovery into practical applications that prepare our learners to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s emerging needs—from hands-on workforce development for a changing job market, to innovative thinking that drives impact.
 
Just like our learners, CU Denver will continue to meet evolving challenges as an institution. To successfully navigate the road ahead, we must harden our focus on expanding access, developing partnerships, and creating new sources of  recurring revenue. I continue to believe that this is the clearest path to a future where our university can invest more consistently in our learners and our people.  
 
Independence Plaza is one example of what this approach looks like in practice. Yesterday, the University of Colorado closed on the purchase of the building for $27.95 million. It will operate as an auxiliary enterprise, managed and operated by CU Denver, so it will not affect campus, school, college, division, or unit-level budgets.
 
Independence Plaza will further position CU Denver as the anchor institution in Denver’s entrepreneurial and creative ecosystem, connecting our university with the people, organizations, and ideas driving our city’s future, while also expanding opportunities for our learners through internships, employment pathways, and career-connected learning experiences. With the acquisition now complete, I also wanted to share that we will be hosting an open house this fall and look forward to welcoming our entire university community to Independence Plaza to tour the new building and see firsthand what this new space will make possible for CU Denver.   

This opportunity reflects a different approach to how we think about the future of our university. Rather than using one-time resources to only address immediate needs, we are making strategic decisions that expand our ability to serve learners and generate recurring revenue that can be reinvested over time. The DDDA’s commitment to support the entrepreneurship hub demonstrates the potential of this approach.  
 
This thinking also extends beyond our campus in Denver and is guiding our exploration in Hyderabad, India. While the context is different, the philosophy is similar: expand access for learners, build partnerships with employers, and engage with a region with strengths in technology, life sciences, and entrepreneurship that align closely with those in Denver. This is not a departure from who we are, but an extension of the work that has defined CU Denver for decades.  
 
Last week, we were  awarded $3.25 million from the Reisher Scholars Program at The Denver Foundation. CU Denver has been a partner with the Reisher Scholars Program since its inception in 2001, and this most recent grant will enable us to launch two new scholarship programs, expanding access to higher education and supporting retention efforts by providing financial support and personalized guidance that will help hundreds more students persist through graduation.  
 
The grant is another example of the momentum that CU Denver's fundraising campaign,  Elevation, is building. These and other recent investments demonstrate the confidence our partners have in our vision and in support of learner success. 
 
During my recent meetings with campus leaders and members of shared governance, conversation has often centered on Independence Plaza, expanding access for learners, and our exploration in Hyderabad. Among the most common questions have been: “Why are we not using resources for salaries or one-time adjustments?” Or, “Why pursue these initiatives when we have so many other immediate needs?” 
 
I recognize the pressures facing our campus community, including the rising cost of living and the continued impact of past budget reductions. While one-time resources can help address immediate needs, the relief is finite. Once those dollars are spent, we would be left confronting many of the same challenges we face today. That is why our strategy must center on building long-term capacity of our university. 
 
I know that our community has heard commitments to future growth before, and I understand the responsibility I carry to translate this strategy into results. But, to do so, I need your trust.  
 
Of all the institutions I have served, none is more deserving of a future where we have the capacity to invest in our people than CU Denver. I share this point widely and frequently because it is true.  
 
As we prepare for the start of the 2026–27 academic year, I remain encouraged by the momentum we carry into the year ahead. The investments we have made in learner success, the partnerships we continue to build, and the impact of our research and community engagement are producing results.  
 
Each and every one of you is critical to CU Denver's growth and success. Thank you for everything you do to make this possible. I hope to see many of you in the coming weeks at our  CU Denver Welcome events, including our New Student Welcome Lunch on Aug. 14 and our CU Denver Block Party on Aug. 20.  
 
As we did last year, we’ll gather in late September for a university-wide forum to discuss the opportunities and priorities ahead. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. 
 
Until then, I wish you all a successful start to the semester!