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Jan. 9, 2025
Dear Roadrunners,
As we prepare to kick off a new semester, I want to share an important leadership update with you.
Laura Niesen de Abruña, Ph.D., today transitioned from her role as provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs to serve as a full-time faculty member.
During her tenure, Niesen de Abruña helped to advance academic strategy and critical student-success initiatives, while working to develop an equitable faculty-workload plan. We are grateful for her leadership and look forward to her continued contributions as a faculty member in the Department of English.
Matt Makley, Ph.D., an 18-year MSU Denver veteran, former Faculty Senate president and chair of the History Department, has assumed the role of interim provost, effective immediately. His extensive institutional knowledge, collaborative leadership style and dedication to shared governance will provide stability and direction during this transition.
As interim provost, Makley will work closely with leadership and faculty and staff members to assess academic priorities and collaboratively chart a strategic path forward for Academic Affairs. A national search for a permanent provost is planned for later this year.
Please join me in thanking Niesen de Abruña for her service as provost and welcoming Makley into his new role.
Leadership transitions can bring opportunities and uncertainties, and I want to acknowledge the effort it takes to navigate change. I’m confident that, together, we will continue to move forward in support of our mission and the success of our students.
If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to share them through the idea catcher.
Sincerely,
Janine Davidson, Ph.D.
President