Best of RED 2020

In a year unlike any other, our reporting illuminated the most important issues in Colorado, from the COVID-19 pandemic to protests for racial justice to the fight for DACA. Here are our best and most-read stories of 2020.

After 10-year timeout, basketball coach graduates from college

When the pandemic compelled him to stay home for his kids, a former MSU Denver coach scored his degree with an assist from a Displaced Worker Grant.

Disability advocate changes how Colorado thinks about equality in education and employment

Rick Newell helped push landmark legislation through the statehouse. But he’s not done challenging outmoded ways that the state thinks about people with disabilities.

Shop at small businesses to make your holiday spending more meaningful

Want your favorite Colorado companies to be around next spring? Then you need to shop at them this holiday season. PLUS: Find great holiday gifts at these 6 Roadrunner-run businesses.

The art of living

At 69, disabled veteran Ralph Root is graduating and setting out on a lifelong dream to live and work as a professional artist.

A COVID-19 surge is straining Colorado’s medical workers. Reinforcements are on the way.

Victor Hernandez is among a new class of nurses who will take their degrees and dedication to the pandemic’s front lines.

Dreamer siblings cautiously optimistic after court wins, Biden’s DACA promises

Amid presidential transition, another victory in federal court is giving undocumented immigrants and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients hope for acceptance of new applications and legal recognition of their families.

Meet MSU Denver’s 100,000th graduate

The University marks the milestone at its virtual Commencement Friday. PLUS: MSU Denver's first graduate reminisces on the school's early days and provides words of wisdom for the Class of 2020.

Restaurants respond to pandemic’s deep freeze

As Colorado eateries brace for an uncertain pandemic winter, three industry leaders share their stories of staying afloat from the front lines and the back of the house.

CARES Act dollars help Colorado schools RISE

A new grant program is addressing educational inequities across the state. Here's how MSU Denver will use $2.38 million it was awarded to help underserved students earn degrees and find jobs.

Mission ready: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Colorado’s celebrated nonprofit dance ensemble, academy and theatre is celebrating a 50th season unlike any other by taking its cherished “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum” digital.

MSU Denver student-athletes read to Head Start students on Zoom

The University’s Athletics program partnered with Denver Public Library’s Read Aloud program to help preschoolers develop a love for reading.

Boeing’s 737 Max cleared for takeoff. Will travelers get on board?

The warehoused aircraft takes to the skies after Wednesday’s FAA announcement. Aviation expert Kevin Kuhlmann weighs in on the aircraft’s extensive repairs and the need to regain the public’s trust.

Colorado COVID-19 Exposure Notifications System boosts contact-tracing efforts

More than 1 million Coloradans have activated the smartphone app. Now the state is trying to get them to use it.

University takes safe and steady approach with the return to in-person classes

MSU Denver professors are adapting to new COVID-19 protocols as they head back to the classroom. That hasn't dampened their enthusiasm.

Changing lives one page at a time

Denver Public Schools' Janet Damon has made it her mission to bring access to books to underserved children and communities.

Marc Lamont Hill on the power of Black voters and the legacy of John Lewis

WATCH: The author, activist and Temple University professor spoke with MSU Denver leaders in the latest installment of the President's Speaker Series.

The language of life

Ryan McGoffin is using his interest in linguistics to make a difference in the field of organ and tissue donation.

Mentor mentality

Becoming a peer mentor put Joy Melgarejo on a path to success.

9 ways to create an awesome Zoom Thanksgiving

COVID-19 will keep families and friends physically apart this Thanksgiving. Here's how you can come together virtually for a meaningful holiday. PLUS: Sweeten your feast with these cranberry-centric recipes.

MSU Denver debate team shines on global stage

A rejuvenated Roadrunners squad makes a strong showing at the European Union-sponsored Schuman Challenge

After rowing across an ocean, veteran-activist Evan Stratton isn’t resting on his oars

While the MSU Denver student crossed the Atlantic last winter, a pandemic changed the world he left behind. It hasn’t stymied his fight for his fellow veterans.

Veterans share strength to stem suicide crisis

As the COVID-19 pandemic increases stress and anxiety in active-military and veteran populations, peers connect to pave a path toward mental-health awareness.

Colorado voters affirmed their commitment to the national popular vote. Now what?

The Centennial State wants to be the latest Electoral College dropout. Here’s what that means for future presidential elections.

Young Coloradans explain why they voted on Election Day 2020

WATCH: MSU Denver rocked the highest undergrad voting rate in the country in 2016. On Election Day 2020, RED asked students why they cast their ballot.

FirstBank keeps its eyes on goal

An MSU Denver soccer standout kick-starts the Colorado-based bank’s efforts to increase diversity in its ranks.

10 ways to reduce stress and anxiety

Psychologist Gail Bruce-Sanford offers practical tips for keeping stress and anxiety at bay. 

Trauma-informed yoga takes root in Denver

WATCH: JaLisa Williams’ Soulflower Experiences grows holistic and safe spaces for people of color to heal their bodies and their minds.

Capitol gains

Patricia Ordaz fights for immigrants such as herself as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris.

Will the 2020 presidential election kill debate?

Communications and political-science experts weigh in on the merits of the form in the country's fractured political environment.

McMaster reiterates call for confidence in American democracy

WATCH: The former U.S. national security advisor spoke about his new book, “Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World," with MSU Denver President Janine Davidson.

Pageant provides platform for racial-justice message

Emma Dickson, Miss Black Colorado 2020, plans on earning an MBA and opening a wellness spa. But first, she will raise her voice at the Miss Black USA pageant.

Denver Film Festival goes virtual, aims to grow audience

With the pandemic shuttering theatres, film festivals expand their appeal by shifting cinema from the art house to your house. PLUS: 4 top picks for flicks

Horror movie fans are better at coping with COVID-19

Here's why aficionados of the film genre are more psychologically resilient to the pandemic.

5 infectiously entertaining pandemic pics

Stream these contagious classics to build your psychological resilience to 2020.

Your election 2020 voting questions answered

Here’s what Colorado college students need to know to ensure that their vote is counted.

Violence against journalists in the spotlight

WATCH: A panel of journalists and criminal-justice experts discussed the rising threats to journalists covering protests.

The show must go on (Zoom)

When COVID-19 made live theatre impossible, this troupe of Denver artists innovated to produce a digital adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for the pandemic era.

Will the 2020 election see a historic youth vote?

Experts predict a strong turnout, especially in Colorado where a new law encourages first-time voters and officials focus efforts on college students.

UndocuHub centralizes critical resources for Colorado’s undocumented and immigrant populations

The new program provides a single access point for legal, health care, housing, financial, education and employment information. Here’s how that will benefit scores of thousands of Coloradans.

COVID-19 pandemic adds complexities to domestic violence in Colorado

At the beginning of national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, experts and victim advocates fear a surge in reports of interpersonal violence.

Health care partnership scales Colorado COVID-19 contact-tracing effort

Here’s how Tri-County Health Department, MSU Denver and Front Range Community College are joining forces to increase capacity – and compassion – in coronavirus contact tracing and positive-case investigations.

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

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.