August

Davidson strengthens commitment to serving urban students

University president joins the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities executive committee.

By Lindsey Coulter

August 7, 2018

Continuing to put values to action, Metropolitan State University of Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., recently joined the executive committee of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. Davidson will serve as a member at-large with the organization through October 2019.

“CUMU and its member organizations understand the challenges we face in urban higher education,” Davidson said. “I’m excited to work with such a committed and innovative group, to share best practices and to advance the crucial mission of educating students from every background and experience.”   

Helping to steer the trajectory of CUMU is a perfect complement to Davidson’s work at MSU Denver. CUMU was founded out of the understanding that urban and metropolitan institutions face unique challenges and opportunities — and often don’t fit the traditional educational model.

The organization focuses on issues relevant to urban campuses and communities, giving university leaders opportunities to connect, share ideas and trends, and advocate for improved public policies.

Davidson’s new role within the CUMU executive committee will also help advance her vision of MSU Denver as the “model urban university for opportunity, diversity, excellence and transformation” and builds on her goal of developing the institution’s reputation nationally and internationally.

In a statement on the group’s website, CUMU Executive Director Bobbie Laur noted Davidson’s belief in the power of higher education to transform lives and her commitment to investing in students while also positively affecting the University’s urban community.

Davidson was appointed by peers representing CUMU’s diverse 90-plus member institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, liberal-arts institutions and Ivy League schools. Together, CUMU members represent more than 1.5 million urban students, including the nearly 20,000 students enrolled at MSU Denver.