Tuesday, May 5, 2026
CU Denver News
Angel Lupian Alvarez stands in front of a glass wall.
Spring Commencement

Meet Angel Lupian Alvarez: How This Accounting Major Found Belonging and Landed a “Big Four” Internship
Layla Blair stands in front of a butterfly sculpture on campus.
Spring Commencement

Meet Layla Blair: Student Researcher and Future Biomedical Engineer
Dania Morelli holds a notebook in a studio space.
Spring Commencement

Meet Dania Morelli: Changing Lives through Architecture—Starting with Her Own

New Date: End-of-Year Celebration Now On May 7

Due to the inclement weather Denver is projected to have today, the Employee End-of-Year Celebration has been moved to Thursday, May 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Corridor 44 on Larimer Square. We look forward to seeing you there!
Four staff members stand in front of a CU Denver-branded wall.
Congratulations

Staffers Celebrated at Annual Luncheon
Four adults hold two oversized checks, each for $10,000.
Business School

Students Propose Bold Solutions to Help Make Downtown Denver More Sustainable—And Compete to Win $20,000
CU logo with downtown Denver in the background.
SPA

Celebrating Public Service Recognition Week at the School of Public Affairs
Two spring graduates hold their regalia.
Moment of the Week

Grads Gear Up for Commencement at Cap and Gown Pickup
Person reading off a piece of paper.
CLAS

MixTape: Five Faculty Researchers Share the Work Shaping Our World
Person stands in between two people holding diploma covers.
SEHD

Joni Dunlap: Globally Recognized for Research
Photo of a tree's branches.
CAP

Gardening as Resistance in Japanese Internment Camps
Nam Bui holds image of ear device
CEDC

How Nam Bui and CU Denver Are Advancing Real-World Innovation

Update on New Budget Model

After CU Denver’s 2026–27 budget is finalized this summer, the university will officially move to a new budget model, which was approved in 2025. The change follows outreach that began in 2024, when a 17-member committee with campuswide representation formed to study the current budget process and look for ways to improve it.

Through 2025, the university followed its existing methodology in parallel with the new budget model to help those involved in budgeting across campus adjust to the new processes. To learn more about the model and how it was developed, visit the campus budget model website.

News You Can Use

Lynx together

Core Curriculum Update Gains Approval
On April 29, academic and faculty leaders announced CU Denver’s core curriculum will undergo updates, following an April faculty vote to approve a proposal for a new structure. Next, the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee (CCOC) will work with stakeholders throughout 2026–27 to determine aspects of implementation in advance of a phased rollout starting in fall 2027.

Upcoming Webinars: Copilot and Copilot Chat
On May 8, Information Strategy and Services (ISS) AI experts and Microsoft representatives are hosting two webinars on Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Chat. The first session, from 9 to 10 a.m., is for those with limited to moderate experience with the tools. The second session, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, is tailored for business and administrative roles. Register to attend one or both sessions by today, May 5.
Mobile phone with a check mark.

Last Chance: Open Enrollment Ends This Friday
Unless you have a qualifying life event, the deadline to make changes to your CU benefits during the 2026–27 enrollment period is this Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m. Now is a good time to verify your information, check your current health plan and insurance enrollments, and make any changes. Find more information here.
Image of microphone

CU System Staff Excellence Awards
Congratulations to CU Denver’s two recipients of the CU System Staff Excellence Awards: Director of Marketing and Communications for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alexander Freedman and Development and Stewardship Associate Taylor Collazos. These Lynx are recognized for going above and beyond their job duties. Read more about this year’s honorees.
Four hands in a circle

Volunteers Needed for Spring Commencement
Staff are encouraged to volunteer for a shift at CU Denver’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 16, at the Denver Coliseum. The time commitment varies for different roles and there are some perks, including a free breakfast or lunch, depending on the shift you volunteer for. Help us make this a special day for our graduates.
Lynx together

Submit Digital Accessibility Barriers Through TDX
Employees and students can use the new TeamDynamix (TDX) service portal to report digital accessibility barriers by submitting a ticket that includes the link or file where the issue occurs and a brief description of the problem. This ensures issues are routed to the right team for timely review and resolution and helps the university address barriers more efficiently to support an inclusive digital experience. Report a barrier here.

CU Denver in the News

Mentions of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni in local and national media

CBS Colorado
ACE Mentor Program Helps Colorado Students Jumpstart Careers in Construction
The Architect's Newspaper
College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver Appoints Dora Epstein Jones as Its Chair
Events and Announcements
Paws for a Break

Wednesday, May 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Auraria Campus Library
Listen, Move, Reset: An Embodied Sonic Meditation Experience

Thursday, May 7, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Lawrence Street Center, Terrace Room
Spring Commencement

Saturday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. (morning ceremony) and 2:30 p.m. (afternoon ceremony)
Denver Coliseum
University Calendar
Check the university calendar weekly for upcoming events across campus.
Submit stories Newsroom
University of Colorado Denver, CU in the City logo

The CU Denver News e-newsletter is published weekly during the academic year. CU Denver News is produced by CU Denver's Office of University Communications.