Early Bird

Kudos

Celebrate the achievements of MSU Denver Roadrunners and top-notch programs.

By Josie Lavender

September 1, 2021

In addition to Faculty Citings, the Early Bird shines a spotlight each month on the accomplishments of Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty and staff members and University partners.

If we missed an award, accolade or opportunity to celebrate an accomplishment big or small, please email us at earlybirdeditor@msudenver.edu.

Fantastic faculty

For the first time, a resource on the global history of medieval times is being offered to General Studies students thanks to a Roadrunner collaboration. Kimberly Klimek, Ph.D., associate professor of History, and Pamela L. Troyer, Ph.D., professor of English, published the groundbreaking book “Global Medieval Contexts 500-1500: Comparisons and Contexts” through a cross-campus collaboration with six MSU Denver students and alumni. The participating Roadrunners included Communications and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences majors. The result is a General Studies textbook designed for History, English and Art History courses that will be marketed across the English-speaking educational world through publisher Routledge UK. A big round of applause for this amazing Roadrunner team!

Last year, David Varel, Ph.D., adjunct professor of History, published a powerful biography, “The Scholar and the Struggle: Lawrence Reddick’s Crusade for Black History and Black Power.” The impact of Varel’s book is still echoing among readers and was recognized in the biography category of the Colorado Book Awards. Bravo!

When Shalini Srinivasan, Ph.D., professor of Chemistry, isn’t assisting students in the classroom, she’s researching ways to expand education accessibility for underrepresented students. This summer, Srinivasan is continuing her research through the 2021-22 Virtual Engaged Scholars Initiative Cohort. The scholarly cohort is hosted through Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. Over the next year, Srinivasan will pursue mentorship opportunities and scholarly projects while attending VESI Cohort virtual retreats and meetings. Congratulations on this exciting scholarly endeavor, and thank you for living MSU Denver’s CADRE values.

Outstanding staff

A Roadrunner cheer for Fred Holmes, who has joined the Roadrunner team as assistant director for Student-athlete Advising. Holmes brings a wealth of knowledge into his new role, having served as the coordinator for student-athlete development at Northern Arizona University and the primary academic advisor for the Mean Green football and softball teams at North Texas University. In addition to his passion for student success, Holmes is an athlete with a strong personal drive. He was a linebacker at UCLA and was rated the No. 30 prospect in the state while playing for John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, Louisiana. Fred, we are so grateful to have you leading our Roadrunner athletes.

Prestigious programs

MSU Denver’s Public Relations Bachelor of Science program has placed 17th among Best Value Schools’ list of top 28 Public Relations degrees. The organization evaluates universities across the nation based on affordability, faculty-to-student ratios and graduation rates. Best Value Schools noted MSU Denver’s innovative degree path, which allows students to find their specific niche, and the fact that MSU Denver is located in the 18^th-largest media market in the nation.