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CESA: A primer

The Center for Equity and Student Achievement’s cross-campus offerings ensure that all Roadrunners are set up to succeed.

April 5, 2018

CESA GroupHoused on the second floor of the Student Success Building, the Center for Equity and Student Achievement collaborates with Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty, staff and students to provide culturally just support and services, said Brandi Scott, associate dean of CESA.

“Our students have multiple identities,” she said. “Unifying these programs under one area helps us better meet their needs, bringing awareness to the lived experiences of our diverse Roadrunners.”

Last spring, that took the form of several events (“Do Black Lives Matter at MSU Denver?”, “Love = Self,” “Photo Elicitation: The Beauty of Black Culture”) and campus trainings (“Safe Zone,” “Roadrunners First,” “Looking Within: Identity Informs Practice,” among others) that directly contributed to the University’s access-driven mission – and President Janine Davidson’s top three priorities of “students, students and students.”

CESA was formed last May with the task of addressing inequities experienced by historically marginalized student populations. The Center for Multicultural Excellence and Inclusion, the Immigrant Services Program, Fostering Success, first-generation initiatives, the LGBTQ Student Resource Center, Veteran and Military Student Services and TRIO Student Support Services all contribute to the suite of success services under the CESA umbrella.

“(CESA) provides resources to the diverse populations at MSU Denver – like LGBTQ, immigrant, refugees and English as a Second Language learners,” said Shekoufeh Abuzar, first-year MSU Denver student.

By providing high-quality culturally competent programming, academic support and post-graduation readiness services, students are empowered to build their own roads to success, to and through the University, from Admissions to alum. And by creating a place for students to be part of a community, they’re reminded they do belong at MSU Denver.

Or as junior Tasnim Fatema put it, “CESA is a space to feel safe and supported.”

Want to find out more on how to help your students or bring equity training to your office? Give CESA a call at 303-615-0022 or visit its website.

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