Last Friday, I had the pleasure and opportunity to attend the CU Inclusive Excellence Summit. The systemwide event, held on the Auraria Campus and hosted by CU Denver and our Office for People and Culture, welcomed members from all four CU campuses for a daylong symposium featuring a mix of keynotes, discussion, and fellowship. 

Much of what I heard throughout the day centered on both building trust and sustaining belonging. I recognize that we too often let belonging take a back seat, choosing instead to focus on other areas or topics that we internalize as carrying more pressing importance. I will be the first to acknowledge that I am more guilty of doing so than I would like to admit.  

It was during the morning keynote by Dr. Sumun Pendakur that I was reminded of just how important it is that we fight this urge. Her words brought into focus the impact we create when we support and uplift one another. 

What she shared felt especially relevant for CU Denver, reinforcing much of what we discussed during last month’s university-wide forum. Dr. Pendakur spoke candidly about how difficult it can be to create belonging while also advancing retention and graduating learners during periods of massive change and uncertainty. 

Her challenge was to remember that no matter our role, everything we touch at a university serves the student. She asked each of us to lead without losing ourselves—to act as creators in supporting learner excellence as well as institutional health and to approach our obligations with curiosity, clarity, and care, as outlined below. 

• Be curious about the root of our problems. Listen and ask questions and avoid the temptation to approach a situation with certainty. What might others see that I don’t? What might I be overlooking? Are we clear on what the problem is? 
  
• Find clarity in what we can control. Identify areas of influence, maintain agency, and focus on what you can put your hands on.
  
• Demonstrate care by building and maintaining trust. Without trust, you’re going to play it safe. Trust allows you to aim higher, leap farther, and know that someone has your back if you fall. 

Later in her remarks, Dr. Pendakur presented a common frustration she faced in discussing academic success among first-generation students with her colleagues at a previous institution. As she put it, we far too often place the blame on the student for suboptimal performance and, in doing so, let ourselves off the hook and problematize the learner. Those students aren’t prepared or those students probably shouldn't be here were phrases she said were shared regularly.  

I winced as she retold the story. I’ve been present to this exact conversation, or one similar, far too often across my decades in higher education. Learners should not be left to sink or swim in isolation. Instead, we should take pride in creating an environment where every learner, regardless of background, can realize success. What other industry takes such a terse approach to those they serve? 

Success is ultimately the learner’s responsibility, but it is our responsibility to create an environment where their success is truly possible, not virtually impossible. Further, the path to success for each learner should be equitable in length and challenge regardless of their background or experience. 

I left the summit feeling energized and refocused on the challenges that stand before us. No matter if you lead in the classroom, serve as an advisor, work in an administrative unit, or support our growth through advancement—you can’t expect to go it alone and find success. We must all lean in together if we are to reach the thriving state we all desire for our university. 

I appreciate all the feedback I’ve received, both written and in person, since the forum. I’ve taken each comment to heart. I know how much each of you wants to realize success. It is this collective energy that will drive us forward.  

Lastly, I wanted to remind everyone that our Independence Plaza Open House is taking place on Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please join us to explore the building, tour different spaces, and imagine what Independence Plaza can make possible for our university.