The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has been selected as one of 16 colleges and universities nationwide to participate in From Campus to Career, a national initiative supported by Lumina Foundation designed to scale career-connected high-impact practices (HIPs) and strengthen workforce outcomes for students.
Through the initiative, CU Denver will receive $100,000 over two years, along with tailored technical assistance and cohort-based support from national higher education intermediaries to expand and strengthen career-connected learning opportunities.
High-impact practices such as internships, undergraduate research, service learning, capstone projects, and student employment are widely associated with increased student engagement, deeper learning, and higher completion rates. This initiative focuses on intentionally connecting those experiences to career pathways and labor market demand so that students graduate prepared to demonstrate the skills employers need.
“At CU Denver, we make education work for all through access, equity, opportunity, and meaningful careers,” said Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen. “This initiative helps ensure our students graduate not only with a degree, but with the career-aligned experiences, industry connections, and skills that prepare them to thrive in Colorado’s workforce and beyond.”
As part of the initiative, CU Denver plans to expand career-connected learning across academic programs by strengthening employer partnerships, embedding experiential projects into coursework, and scaling structured internship and student employment opportunities. Through coordinated faculty development and enhanced data and technology systems, the university will help faculty intentionally connect learning outcomes to career pathways and increase access to high-impact experiences across disciplines. The effort will prioritize working learners—including first-generation and transfer students—by integrating career-connected opportunities into the curriculum and student employment pathways that fit the realities of CU Denver’s student population.
Lumina launched From Campus to Career to help institutions scale career-connected high-impact practices that strengthen the value of a bachelor’s degree.
“Too many students complete meaningful academic experiences without clear pathways to translate those experiences into career opportunities,” said Jasmine Haywood, strategy director for credentials of value at Lumina. “If a credential is going to hold value in the labor market, students must graduate with the ability to demonstrate the skills and competencies employers need. Career-connected high-impact practices are one of the most powerful tools we have to make that connection visible and real.”
The 16 selected institutions represent a diverse cross-section of higher education, including regional public universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and large research universities. Together, they will serve as national models for integrating academic learning with career preparation.
“In an era of rising skepticism about the value of college, strengthening the connection between learning and work is essential,” said Debra Humphreys, vice president of strategic engagement at Lumina. “When students can clearly see and show how their education prepares them for meaningful careers, the value of a credential becomes tangible.”
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Excelencia in Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the Center for Innovation in Postsecondary Education (CIPE), which will support participating institutions through technical assistance and cross-campus learning opportunities.
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About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with more than 13,000 diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.