2020
Ron Miles makes Blue Note Records debut with ‘Rainbow Sign’
WATCH: The jazz luminary talks truth in music, how his father’s death affected the new album and signing with the legendary label.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold on 2020 election security
The state’s top elections official spoke on a panel co-sponsored by MSU Denver’s Golda Meir Center for Political Leadership.
Homecoming during COVID-19
With a global pandemic upending the century-old fall tradition, universities across the country are finding new, creative ways to celebrate and engage alumni.
Catching up with ‘Sabrina & Corina’ author Kali Fajardo-Anstine
Fresh off another award for her debut short-story collection, the Denverite dishes on international acclaim, pandemic writing and supporting her Colorado community.
Let's talk about cancel culture
Is the social-media phenomenon a way to hold power to account or a mob stifling free speech? And is it actually advancing social justice? Here's where the dialogue starts.
Colorado's legacy of women's suffrage
The Centennial State wasn't the first to allow women to vote, but it was a national leader. Here's what Colorado's voting history tells us about America then — and now.
Flu or COVID-19? Get a flu shot to stem the threat of ‘twindemic’ public-health crises
Here’s what Ruben Zorrilla, M.D., wants you to know about the vaccine that can protect you, your family and your community from influenza during the coronavirus pandemic.
Infographic: MSU Denver's outsized impact on Colorado's economy
The Mile High City's open-access University is also a powerful economic engine.
Will the 2020 census be accurate?
The federal government is fighting to shorten the decennial count’s timeline. Here’s why that could hurt Colorado and the country’s marginalized communities.
This future teacher is dedicated to opening STEM to students with disabilities
When multiple sclerosis derailed his Ph.D. research, Joe Schneiderwind dedicated his career to teaching math and science – and shining a light on the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in STEM.
Public-health crises converge
Experts weigh in on the connection between the movement for racial justice and the global pandemic.
Sports without fans: How should athletes react?
Empty arenas and ballparks present the pros with a new set of motivational and mental challenges to overcome.
A parent’s guide to screen time
Thousands of Colorado K-12 students are starting the school year where they left off last spring: at home, in front of a screen. Here’s how experts suggest you handle technology at home to keep children healthy and happy.
Drought conditions fuel record Colorado wildfires
The state’s drastic dry-out and four major fires underscore the water challenges facing the West.
Ready for the future of work
MSU Denver’s new Skills Lab provides job-seekers with free virtual training in fields that will grow – and be created – as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 recession.
Pandemic puts MLB pitching prospect’s dream on hold
Former MSU Denver baseball standout Julian Garcia was poised for a breakout summer. Now, he’s back in Colorado training for an opportunity to take the mound again.
In safe hands
Here’s how MSU Denver’s Chemistry Department and Beer Industry Program teamed up to make sure Auraria Campus facilities have plenty of hand sanitizer.
The broken promises behind ‘Winter Counts’
New crime novel by Lakota author David Heska Wanbli Weiden and a recent Supreme Court decision explore the same issue: federal law enforcement – or lack thereof – on Native lands.
A recipe for eliminating diet disparities
White people comprise 91% of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Colorado. Here’s how MSU Denver will use more than $5 million in grants to diversify the pipeline into the critical field.
Colorado’s outdoor industry reacts to COVID-19
The Great American Outdoor Act is a boost for public lands, but whether it will also lift up Colorado’s $62.5 billion outdoor-recreation economy during the pandemic remains to be seen.
As edibles biz booms, Hospitality School brings cannabis into the kitchen
A new partnership puts marijuana-industry experts in the classroom to teach cooking with CBD and show budding entrepreneurs how to get their foot in the door of a $3 billion industry.
PHOTOS: Denver murals by Carlos Frésquez and his students
Check out these pics and then use this map to see them for yourself.
Betting big on business students during COVID-19 pandemic
MSU Denver turned over investment funds to students for an innovative new finance class. Then the economy was rocked by the pandemic. Here’s how they beat the market while learning about portfolio management.
Denver murals and street art: ‘walls with tongues’
WATCH: As artist Carlos Frésquez adapts his Community Painting class for COVID-19 concerns, he reflects on the power of murals from the paleolithic to the Renaissance to Colorado’s Chicano Movement and beyond.
The truth about summer in Denver
It’s very dry and surprisingly hot. Then it gets chilly. And nobody uses an umbrella. Let meteorologist Sam Ng explain ...
A parent’s guide to remote learning during COVID-19 closures
Thousands of Colorado K-12 students will start the school year with remote learning. Education experts provide some practical advice for parents wondering how they’re going to make it work.
We need to talk about ‘Karen’
Here’s how a humorous internet meme gradually took a sinister and racist turn.
Pizza prospers amid pandemic
Americans are eating more pizza than ever, and Wood Fired University is showing smart entrepreneurs how they can get a piece of the pie. Plus: Try this recipe for Nutella dessert pizza.
Remembering Denver’s deadliest riots a century later
Historian Steve Leonard explains why the August 1920 Denver Tramway strike remains relevant today. PLUS: Archival images show how the protests brought the city to a standstill.
Researchers study sewage for COVID-19 clues
The State of Colorado, wastewater-treatment facilities and university scientists team up to collect data that can serve as an early-warning system for coronavirus outbreaks.
Will schools open? Experts weigh in on what to expect in education this fall
As COVID-19 cases climb in Colorado, plans for the upcoming K-12 school year are evolving by the day. Here’s what education experts expect, and how the disruptions could affect students and teachers.
‘Whose memory do we honor?’
As protesters for racial equity topple monuments across the country, historians weigh in on how their removal can spark conversations resulting in an inclusive understanding of American history.
Lessons from the election that delivered Colorado’s most diverse General Assembly ever
A new report shows how the 2018 election reshaped the state’s legislature along racial and gender lines. Here’s what that means for Colorado and what it portends for November’s election.
Time to toss the ACT and SAT?
Many colleges and universities are excluding standardized test scores from admissions next year because of the pandemic, and some say it’s time to abandon standardized tests permanently.
Colorado space careers ready for blastoff
The new U.S. Space Force is just one prong in the Trump administration’s push to reshape the military’s space operations. Here are the economic factors and policy developments that will determine the course of Colorado’s aerospace industry for years to come.
Mission ready: Boulder Voices for Children
This nonprofit provides a proven mentorship model of juvenile-justice reform to the booming county’s most vulnerable residents.
Tools of resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism aren’t just creating fresh trauma for people of color; they’re also causing past traumas experienced by older generations to resurface. Here are tested tools PTSD experts deploy for dealing with traumas new and old.
‘Shine a light on the human condition’
Here’s how a popular college class gets students out of the (virtual) classroom and into the world as social documentarians.
5 tips for keeping kids active and healthy all summer
With camps closed and interactions limited by social distancing, it’s more important than ever for parents to keep kids active. Follow these tips from Brian Hull, national PE teacher of the year, for healthy fun all summer long.
Love in the time of COVID-19
The rules of dating have been turned upside down by the pandemic. But where there’s a will …
Songs to sustain a movement
The violin vigil for Elijah McClain brought voices together in a common refrain for justice. Here’s how Denver saxophonist Anisha Rush hears music’s potential to advance social change. PLUS: Protest playlist picks from across decades and genres.
‘Liquid gold’ standard
Expertise in water policy and law are more valuable than ever. Here's why an online water certificate focused on Colorado's unique laws is drawing professionals from across the country.
The Point of community and coffee
Protests and a global pandemic have not stopped coffee-shop owner Ryan Cobbins from serving up a positive space for important conversations.
The future of meetings during COVID-19 pandemic? Un-conventional
Colorado’s $1 billion events industry shifts to online offerings, virtual reality and more to keep things happening.
How to bring the Black Lives Matter movement to your hometown
MSU Denver Women's Basketball player Ashley Bernales organized a BLM march to catalyze the movement for racial justice in her community. Learn how she stepped into a leadership role and hear her call to action.
Dreamers keep dreaming after Supreme Court win
DACA recipients celebrate legal victory while pledging to fight for permanent immigration reform.
Black scholars launch dialogue series on race
WATCH: MSU Denver panel dives into issues of racial justice, history’s codification of racism and the emergence of “white cultural activism.”
Flying and COVID-19: What you need to know
WATCH: Aviation expert Jeff Price outlines what airlines are doing to protect flyers and what you can expect at the airport and on the plane.
Restaurants and COVID-19: dining in Denver post-lockdown
What safety measures are in place? How is the pandemic impacting the industry? What’s next? Hospitality experts serve up what you need to know.
How to talk with kids about racism
The police killing of George Floyd thrust the realities of racism into homes across America. Early childhood education expert Rosemarie Allen provides guidance for starting the conversation about race with kids of all ages.
How to plant a pandemic garden
As COVID-19 exposes the precarious state of America’s food supply, chefs and historians say planting a garden can grow food – and community – to get us through difficult times.
Law enforcement veteran: George Floyd's death, protests will change policing forever
Equitable policing expert Tracie Keesee weighs in on the Minnesota man’s death, 'generational exhaustion' from police brutality and the future of policing in communities of color.
Deepening divide
Rural and urban communities in Colorado and across the country were politically divided before the pandemic. MSU Denver experts weigh in on how and why the COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating the division.
New identity
Gender-studies Professor Mary Robertson’s scholarship shines a light on the new reality of LGBTQ youth in America.
Sign of the times
Mandy Pierce-Turner has a direct hand in communicating the governor's pandemic response to thousands of Coloradans who are deaf or hard of hearing.
COVID-19 pandemic reveals critical work of medical-laboratory scientists
They’re rarely seen or heard, but their work is critical in the fight against coronavirus. An innovative postdegree program is training a new crop of scientists for the in-demand field.
Learners connect with leaders
Colorado’s open-access university provides premier access to national experts
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‘Telehealth’ booms amid COVID-19 pandemic
Prior to the coronavirus, Americans were slow to adopt virtual health care. Now, they’re clamoring for the services. Here’s how the state and universities are responding to deliver digital medicine.
COVID-19 brings beer boom and bust
Beer sales are up, but not all breweries are benefiting. Here's what Colorado is drinking and how the state’s fabled craft brewers are innovating to stay afloat.
Aerial parade supports Colorado COVID Relief Fund
WATCH: Classic planes take to the sky to honor essential workers and raise money for Coloradans in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Double-major role model
MSU Denver’s Individualized Degree and Honors programs helped chart Shayla Bischoff’s path through college. Her daughter inspired her to succeed.
Banking on success
A new degree program and innovative pathways jump-start college careers while upgrading a workforce for the in-demand financial-services industry.
Finding the ‘Why’
Along the road to addiction recovery, Kyle Johnson returned to school and discovered a true purpose.
COVID-19 forces the Class of 2020 to remap higher-education plans
MSU Denver is fitting into the reimagined futures of recent high school grads.
Virtual reality reveals new possibilities for remote learning
With her campus closed, this Japanese-language professor took her students on an immersive, experiential field trip in Second Life.
Higher education adapts to remote learning during COVID-19 pandemic
When the coronavirus shuttered the Auraria Campus, MSU Denver professors and students embraced the difficulties and opportunities presented by online classes.
Small-business COVID-19 chronicles
Here’s how 8 Colorado entrepreneurs responded to the coronavirus crisis and what they are doing as the state slowly reopens for business.
Small-business COVID-19 survival guide
Trillions of dollars are being pumped into the U.S. economy to stave off collapse, while Colorado is slowly reopening from lockdown. Here’s how economists recommend that entrepreneurs respond to these uncertain times.
When will baseball return from COVID-19 shutdown?
America's ballparks remain empty as the nation stems the spread of coronavirus. When and how will Major League Baseball – or any professional sports – get back in the game?
Will ‘historical amnesia’ doom COVID-19 response?
Historians discuss how studying the impact of the 1918-19 influenza outbreak can guide the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now is the time to stand up for DACA recipients and Dreamers
MSU Denver President Janine Davidson: It's time Congress passed real legislation to ensure Dreamers can continue to contribute and thrive in the country they call home.
Nurses in the pipeline
As COVID-19 exacerbates the health-worker shortage in Colorado, universities adapt to keep the future workforce on track.
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‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ lands early for May the Fourth
Disney Plus unites all nine chapters of the Skywalker Saga films in one place for the first time, and Denver Pop Culture Con Director Christina Angel is psyched.
11 virtual escapes for your COVID-19 quarantine
Restrictions on travel and outdoor recreation remain in place in Colorado for the foreseeable future, so get your wanderlust fix from your couch with these online experiences.
Special educators
Amid a shortage of special-needs teachers, three educators completed an Alternative Licensure Program to fill the need and find their passion.
6 steps for spring cleaning success
WATCH: Whether you need to organize a home office or deep clean your entire pad, these tips from hoarding disorder expert Jennifer Hanzlick will help you create the space you deserve.
8 nutritious and easy-to-make quarantine recipes
Need some ideas for what to eat while staying at home? Nutritionists and chefs weigh in with recipes and tips for healthy eating.
Framing American politics
Photojournalist Leah Millis has photographed her way from MSU Denver to the White House — and across the globe. Now, Millis and a team of Reuters photographers have been awarded a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for their work documenting protests in Hong Kong.
The story behind the viral photos of Colorado health care workers blocking COVID-19 lockdown protesters
Photojournalist Alyson McClaran captured the dramatic scene during recent protests in Denver. Here’s how she got the shots.
Keep your Zoom meetings secure with these tips from a cybersecurity expert
Here's how you can stop snoopers and trolls from crashing your private video calls.
Earning a diploma on COVID-19’s front lines
WATCH: Nursing students join STRIDE Community Health Center to ramp up testing for coronavirus – and earn the clinical experience required for graduation.
Mission ready: Houses for Warriors
WATCH: U.S. Air Force veteran and MSU Denver Human Services student Andrew Canales founded his new nonprofit to provide adaptive housing for veterans with disabilities.
Denver group inspires country to ‘Go Outside and Howl at 8 p.m.’
You're not hearing things — the Mile High City now howls nightly in solidarity during COVID-19 quarantine. Here’s the psychology behind the primal scream that's spreading across America.
How to workout at home during COVID-19 gym closures
WATCH: MSU Denver strength and conditioning coach Isaiah Castilleja shows you how to get a gym-quality workout from home.
How to exercise outside during COVID-19 outbreak
It’s never been more important to get out and exercise – for both body and mind. Here's how to do it safely.
Standing strong for DACA students
As the Supreme Court readies its ruling on DACA, Colorado college students continue to find support in the community they call home.
3D printing PPE for Colorado’s health care heroes
Here’s how MSU Denver’s ‘maker community’ is combining its expertise, ingenuity and resources to design and manufacture much-needed personal protective equipment.
'Rise above'
WATCH: Here's how members of the groundbreaking Tuskegee Airmen - the first African American pilots in the U.S. Armed Forces - are inspiring a new generation of aviators.
How to homeschool your kids through COVID-19 closures
As living rooms are converted to classrooms across the country, an education expert shares how to keep kids on track.
14 baseball movies to watch after the Colorado Rockies’ stay-at-home opener
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is delayed indefinitely. Get your fix of our national pastime with these flicks picked by coaches and student-athletes on MSU Denver’s baseball and softball teams.
How to stay sane while working from home during COVID-19
Thousands of Americans are telecommuting to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 – but it can be tough. Here are some tips for maximizing productivity and mental health.
An infectious disease expert answers your COVID-19 questions
Is food delivery safe? How long does coronavirus live on different surfaces? What cleaning products kill the virus? Here's what you need to know to keep you and your family safe from COVID-19.
15 podcasts to enlighten your quarantine
Need to tune out COVID-19 news? Listen to communication studies Professor Sam Jay’s podcast picks for comedy, pop culture and beer.
Securing support for students
As MSU Denver goes digital, the University is assisting vulnerable students through efforts that include emergency funding for food and housing insecurity.
Mission ready: Denver Metro Emergency Food Network
As the COVID-19 outbreak shakes Colorado, this new partnership of nonprofits and mission-driven businesses is feeding the hungry and boosting support to underserved communities.
3D printing potential solutions for ventilator shortage
An MSU Denver mechanical-engineering technology professor is testing a stopgap solution that brings together advanced manufacturing and snorkel gear.
Serving up hope, 6 feet apart
WATCH: In the midsts of the COVID-19 pandemic, childhood-hunger-relief organization Food For Thought continues to feed kids who normally rely on school meals. Here’s how you can help.
Out of service?
A national commission weighs the future of service in America, including the role of women in the military and ways to inspire young people to give back.
Life coaches
MSU Denver's spring sports season was cut short due to COVID-19 concerns. Here's how Roadrunner coaches are helping student-athletes deal with the disappointment.
22 movies and shows to stream now
Stay inside and flatten the curve with these streaming picks from MSU Denver film aficionado Vincent Piturro.
Fighting crime by crunching numbers
IRS Special Agent Karen Gurgel is showing a new generation of accounting majors how to fight white-collar crime.
Tax tips for college students
MSU Denver’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance class has assisted low-income Coloradans for over three decades. Here are four tips to keep your finances in order.
Combat COVID-19 with communication
Organizations are uniquely positioned to respond to the public-health emergency by conveying clear messages that advance a common cause. Here are 4 ways they can respond in a crisis.
Coronavirus and the economy explained
What’s happening in the stock market and how can you be financially prepared for the road ahead? Economics Professor Kishore Kulkarni weighs in on the situation in Colorado and the country.
Wave goodbye to the handshake amid coronavirus concerns
As the new disease also known as COVID-19 spreads, Americans must eliminate long-established physical greetings. Here's how you can change the social script — and help break the chain of transmission.
DIY disease detection
Testing for Carrión’s disease in Andean populations is severely lacking. Now, an MSU Denver biology student is developing an approach that promises to bring critical medical technology out of the lab and into the field.
Principal catalyst
Hard work and perseverance fueled Michael Atkins’ journey from school janitor to principal. Now he’s empowering students to be themselves.
Fine print
“In Process,” the new exhibition at the Center for Visual Art, features the work of top Colorado printmakers, including sisters Mandi and Molly Quinn.
First-gen forward
College students who are among the first in their family to pursue higher education often require additional resources to succeed. Now, Colorado first-gen students are taking their requests for additional support to the state Capitol.
Get fired up for these winning chili recipes
Competition brings together firefighters and family recipes for flavorful way to help benefit Children’s Hospital and fight food insecurity on campus.
Joy Reid gets real on race
The MSNBC host grew up in Denver and returned this week as MSU Denver's 2020 Rachel B. Noel Visiting Professor. She challenged the University community to recognize how America’s present is connected to the racialized context of its past.
From ‘Central Park Five’ to ‘Exonerated Five’
They were convicted of a crime they didn’t commit. Over 30 years later, they’re educating the public on disparities in the U.S. criminal-justice system for young men of color.
Pixar perfect
Here's how technology and storytelling combine to give our favorite animated films their Buzz.
Room and boards
MSU Denver Men's Basketball center Cain van Heyningen takes hospitality to new heights as a Dimond Fellow.
What Coloradans need to know about coronavirus
The new disease, also known as COVID-19, is spreading across the globe through international travel. Colorado is home to the nation’s fifth busiest airport, so should we be concerned?
¡Viva mariachi!
WATCH: The Mexican tradition is experiencing a renaissance as new generations discover the music's joy and passion.
8 picks for Denver Restaurant Week 2020
Chefs dish on top culinary hot spots in the Mile High City’s ever-growing culinary scene. Plus: Brewers weigh in on the best beers for DRW20.
Meet Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates
MSU Denver invited all of the state’s 2020 Senate candidates to campus for individual conversations. Here’s what they had to say about critical issues.
When internships pay, everyone wins
Here's how MSU Denver is leveling the playing field for students who can’t afford to work for free.
Census 2020 explained
Here’s what you need to know about changes to America’s decennial census, what’s at stake and why we do it in the first place.
The uncoupling of America
America’s population of single people is vibrant and growing fast – so why are our institutions and culture so slow to respond?
Hoop and medical-school dreams
MSU Denver Women’s Basketball standout Mariah Schroeder is named to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s All-Academic basketball team for the second straight season.
Teachers learn the language of trauma
To best help children in need, educators need to change the way they talk about trauma. Here's how MSU Denver’s teacher-prep program is moving the conversation forward.
Mission Ready: SECORCares
WATCH: This Parker-based nonprofit built a mobile food pantry to serve Coloradans in need. Here's how its new partnership with MSU Denver and Ent Credit Union will help students experiencing food insecurity.
Prioritizing mental health in schools
A new bill in the Colorado legislature would expand teacher training in trauma-informed approaches that support children in need.
When going viral goes wrong
TikTok's 'Penny Challenge' is the latest social media stunt putting young people at risk. Why do they keep doing it?
Just Breathe
Mindfulness practice is increasingly making its way into the college classroom. Here’s how it helps students learn – and a quick 3-step breathing exercise you can use, too.
TEDx MSU Denver: Self-love for perfectionists
WATCH: Personal trainer Tyler Kingsbury reimagines how self-love can vanquish the veil of perfection and increase focus on the values that allow us to live more meaningful lives.
Kick-start your kid's college savings
Colorado's new First Step initiative gives every child born or adopted in the state $100 for a CollegeInvest 529 account. Here's what you need to know to claim your child's money and grow their savings.
‘Until justice rolls down like waters’
Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous simile inspired the theme of MSU Denver’s 2020 MLK Peace Breakfast: 'The Act of Fluidity'
Mission Ready: Gold Crown Foundation
This nonprofit founded and run by former Denver Nuggets player and coach Bill Hanzlik prepares young people for the game of life through sports – and STEM.
Accessibility by design
Here’s how an advanced manufacturing sciences student is using 3D printing to assist patients at Craig Hospital.
Lessons from the Selma to Montgomery march
Civil rights champion Sheldon Steinhauser marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. Now, he's returning to Alabama with the Anti-Defamation League to retrace King's steps and advance his message.
Controlled airspace
MSU Denver’s Aerobatics and Glider Club wins its second national championship in three years.
Must-see Monet
Time's running out to catch "Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature" at the Denver Art Museum. Here's your primer to the largest exhibition of the French Impressionist's work in more than 20 years.
The spies you invite into your home
Getting a smart device this year? Make sure you know how to protect your privacy.