One of the main draws for students coming to CU Denver is becoming a part of Denver’s only public, urban, research university. Research and creative activities are central to what it means to get a liberal arts and sciences undergraduate degree from our college. When I meet our students I’m so often impressed by their dedication to their chosen fields of study, manifesting in what they research. Programs like the EUReCA! Fellows and the TRIO McNair Scholars make it possible for amazing students to undertake incredibly advanced levels of academic interrogation - inspiring students, like Dana Mallozzi.
Sociology major Dana Mallozzi has been working with mentor Keith Guzik on a project called, An Exploration of University Student Services for Increasing Student Outreach and Retention. Mallozzi has been using qualitative methods to investigate the positive outcomes of the coalition between TRIO and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) programs. Her research is focused not just on students' educational needs but also their human and social needs. In her abstract on the project for the upcoming Research and creative Activities Symposium Mallozzi wrote, “Accessible childcare is essential to institutions of higher education. It helps students go to college, graduate, find jobs, and earn more in their lifetime. It allows colleges to attract the best faculty and staff. It helps strengthen our nation through lasting economic and social benefits. The literature on college services is replete with references to TRIO… Few investigations have evaluated the impactful role of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Grant Program that supplements tuition to support and establish campus-based childcare. Its impact is mighty.” The impact our students’ research can have on our communities and their futures is mighty as well.
The 25th Annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium is back in person to celebrate CU Denver's student researchers. Each year over 200 undergraduate and graduate presenters share the research and creative projects they've worked on throughout the academic year, and they need over a hundred volunteers to make that possible. This year faculty and staff have a new opportunity to get involved by signing up to table at RaCAS. While tabling you can share resources and research opportunities as well as information about your majors, minors, and certificate programs with the students and community members in attendance. And as always, RaCAS relies on faculty and staff to serve as reviewers. Reviewers engage directly with students and their projects; asking questions, guiding discussions, and providing constructive input that supports the educational mission of the symposium. You can find all details about how to get involved with RaCAS on the website.
I know many of you are actively engaged in supporting our undergraduate students in pursuing their research and creative activities, and I want to thank you. I want to especially thank Erin Golden, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, and her remarkable team for all the hard work they’ve put in over the past few years making RaCAS and many other research support programs possible.
I also want to celebrate that at the April 7th Board of Regents Meeting our Ethnic Studies program received official approval to become a department. The Ethnic Studies program has existed as a primary unit within our college offering a BA, minor, and certificate programs in Cultural Diversity Studies, American Indian Studies, African American Studies, Latinx Studies , and an Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate. More information about the future of the Ethnic Studies will follow in coming weeks, but for now congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard for this accomplishment.
