Early Bird

Davidson named one of city’s Most Admired CEOs

Denver Business Journal recognizes MSU Denver president for her leadership during the pandemic and advocacy for the University.

By Matt Watson

October 25, 2021

Metropolitan State University of Denver President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., was named a 2021 Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal on Thursday for her leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and advocacy for the University.

The DBJ selected 21 executives from more than 100 nominees “whose forward-looking leadership is shaping their organizations, sectors and greater community.” She was featured in a special print section of the DBJ on Friday and will be honored at a Nov. 11 dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, where the theme is “transformation.”

The DBJ recognized Davidson for navigating the operational and financial challenges of a large university that transitioned to primarily remote teaching and learning while also enacting public-health initiatives in the form of community Covid-19 testing and vaccine distribution on campus.

Under Davidson’s leadership, MSU Denver also successfully advocated for a change to the state funding allocation for higher education that prioritizes underserved students. This effort resulted in an $8.5 million base-funding increase, the largest increase any university received in the budget cycle. The University also supported 13 priority bills that affect students, alumni or K-12 education, all of which passed.