Early Bird

Meet the new interim dean of the College of Health and Applied Sciences

Hope Szypulski, DNP, shares her leadership journey from military service to academia.

By Josie Lavender

November 15, 2021

As a former first-generation student with diverse interests, Hope Szypulski, DNP, understands the Roadrunner journey. Having served the Metropolitan State University of Denver community as an educator for four years, Szypulski recently accepted the role of interim dean of the College of Health and Applied Sciences.

“I had certain parts of my life laid out, and I knew teaching was going to be toward that end,” Szypulski said.

“I am so pleased that Hope Szypulski agreed to serve as the interim dean. She is held in high regard among her entire college community,” said Provost Alfred Tatum, Ph.D. “Moreover, her ideals, vision, leadership acumen and cultural sophistication will serve the College of Health and Applied Sciences and the University well. Hope Szypulski is a jewel in our midst, and we will be beneficiaries of her leadership.”

Szypulski spoke with the Early Bird about her journey from the U.S. Army to higher education:

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Szypulski: I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. I’m a middle child. Being a middle child, you’re always the caretaker and kind of the mediator between the siblings and the family.

How did your family influence your academic development?

Szypulski: My father was from the World War II generation with only an eighth-grade education, and my mother was Native American. She never graduated from high school, but she did receive tribal funding to get a trade. They worked very hard. They were blue-collar workers and business owners and valued the importance of education. That carried through for me. When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was already in nursing, but I discovered women’s health was something I wanted to specialize in.

What led you from a nursing career to higher education?

Szypulski: When I went to nursing school, I loved the teaching aspect. I loved to teach my patients and their families. In 2011, I was completing my doctorate and applied (to teach) at MSU Denver. Linda Stroup was the chair at that time, and she gave me a chance. Coming from health care, my experience with teaching was limited to my interactions with patients and their families. Linda opened the doors to academia. That’s why I love MSU Denver – it provides opportunities not only for students but also for faculty and staff members who are interested in moving forward with academia.

Did you ever expect to take on leadership roles?

Szypulski: I would say I have always been in leadership roles starting from the time I was in high school. Joining the military definitely cultivated these roles. During my career in the Army, I was immediately placed in a leadership position as a second lieutenant. As I progressed through my military career, I continued to serve in many leadership positions, ending with my final duty as the chief nurse of the 140th Medical Group at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. 

Burnout has been an ever-present obstacle throughout the pandemic. How have you stayed motivated throughout all the chaos?

Szypulski: It’s important as a leader that you maintain the positive front. We are all responding to the pandemic in different ways. In speaking with colleagues, I heard the full spectrum of attitudes. For me, I have addressed the burnout through maintaining work/life balance. I promote self-care through exercise, set realistic goals and have learned to turn off the switch during designated times.

What are you most excited for in your new role?

Szypulski: I look forward to the slow influx of everybody coming back to whatever the new normal is. I’m very impressed with my peers and what they’ve accomplished under these unprecedented times. I really believe in MSU Denver, and I really feel that MSU Denver provides the key to a great career and a gateway to economic advancement. It demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to increase its socioeconomic diversity and to removing the barriers that students can experience. It’s provided me so many opportunities. I just want to say I’m honored to serve in this role as interim dean.