Introducing two new colleges

Metropolitan State University of Denver has realigned the College of Health and Applied Sciences to expand its innovation-and-research footprint and respond to the changing academic and professional needs of students and employers.

“This strategic redistribution of resources will have so many benefits,” said Kelly Brough, chief strategy officer. “It really signals that MSU Denver is a university on the move and an ideal partner in innovation and in responding to changing workforce needs.”

Students can now pursue training and degrees in the College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering and Design and the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“In the last two years, we’ve had to make a lot of decisions focused on immediate success and sustainability; this decision is truly about the future,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “I think it’s significant that just as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our university status and the 55-year anniversary of our institution, we’re taking strategic steps that will propel us for the next 55 years and beyond.”

College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering and Design

Through state-of-the-art teaching and research, ACED will prepare students for innovation and problem-solving, providing advanced expertise across technological disciplines. The college will engage with industry partners, provide students with meaningful experiences in the field and prepare the state’s most diverse student body in the pursuit of postgraduate degrees and lifelong learning.

The college will consist of:

Aviation and Aerospace Science
Engineering and Engineering Technology
Industrial Design
Computer Sciences
The Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute
The Cybersecurity Center

The college will serve approximately 4,500 students across 12 undergraduate programs, one graduate program and 17 certificate programs. With state-of-the-art flight simulators and manufacturing and cybersecurity laboratories, as well as extensive industry partnerships, the college provides cutting-edge technology to prepare students to meet industry needs.

College of Health and Human Sciences

HHS’ nine departments will prepare students for professions that promote individual, family and community well-being. The college emphasizes high-impact interactive and experiential learning, with simulation and observational laboratories and more than 1,000 community partnerships.

“The college also houses the Health Institute, which allows for collaboration among the University’s health-related programs and with community partners to meet Colorado’s demand for a highly skilled health care workforce,” said Hope Szypulski, DNP, interim dean of CHAS. “(This engagement) will lead to transformative and justice-oriented endeavors that secure the health and well-being of people and communities.”

The college will consist of:

Criminal Justice and Criminology
Health Professions
Human Performance and Sport
Human Services and Counseling
Nursing
Nutrition
Social Work
Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences
The Health Institute

The college will serve almost 9,000 students annually across 19 undergraduate degree programs, eight graduate degree programs and five certificate programs.

Next steps

Both colleges will begin accepting inquiries, nominations and applications for the positions of deans to lead the strategic rollout of the ACED and HHS. Ideal candidates will leverage the University’s success, mission and values to create a lasting imprint on the city of Denver, the state of Colorado and beyond.

“This reorganization positions MSU Denver as ‘the University for Colorado,’” said Provost Alfred W. Tatum, Ph.D. “This move will advance the goals of our 2030 Strategic Plan and make our world-class programs more visible to students, and we anticipate the benefits to ripple out for decades in the form of industry partnerships, expanded research funding, new revenue streams and, most important, enhanced learning opportunities for students.”