Following-up on the message sent last week by Chancellor Michelle Marks and Vice Chancellor Antonio Farias, we are beginning to see data coming from the system-wide Campus and Workplace Culture Survey. I hope you remember taking the survey, which asked you about professional interactions, possible discrimination, and your own personal wellness. The findings will be a critical component in our university’s efforts to become the nation's first equity-serving institution and to be known as a people-centered best place to work—elaborated on in our 2030 Strategic Plan. As a member of the C&WC Steering Committee I have personally seen the dedication behind the effort and am proud of how we are coming together to examine the health of the inter-personal and professional relationships among the students, community, and ourselves.

I encourage all of you to take a look at the Denver portion of the presentation that was shared with the CU Board of Regents on February 10th. Preliminary survey results show that respondents generally reported that they feel that they can express themselves freely, which is a critical first step to understanding the current culture. However, survey findings do show that all campus populations (particularly faculty and staff) reported some rude and harmful experiences within the workplace in the past year. As we move forward, we will examine which subgroups within our Lynx community disproportionately experience discomfort and negative outcomes in their interactions so that we can prioritize strategies to better support these groups. On a more positive note, respondents largely reported that they feel they will be supported by the university in situations of reported discrimination and harassment, which means that we are going to be able to build on existing structures in place as we work to make CU Denver a better place for all of us to work together. I’m also heartened to reflect on how the majority of employees reported that their departments largely respect their need for work/life balance. Once again, this is not a universally reported response (and because the survey is completely anonymous we don’t know who and where these respondents work). I do know that work/life balance is something we focus hard to foster in CLAS. As we analyze more of the survey results in the months to come we will continue to strive to build a culture that supports people reporting negative experiences in order to develop a greater understanding of our campus needs, gain more insight in how we support our students and each other, and improve our relationships.

All survey data will be shared with our community in early April, once the committee has had adequate time to analyze and evaluate. Between now and April, as we have conversations about these results and many more to come, please keep in mind that this is just the start of this journey towards improving our campus. Better understanding of the individual struggles faced on-campus (and in the virtual spaces where we’re all continuing to do our jobs) will be the cornerstone of succeeding in making CU Denver better for all of us.

Dr. Kimberly Hill has been the anchor for the Psychology department for the past 14 years. She joined CU Denver 18 years ago with an undergraduate degree in Corporate Fitness and Wellness and an emphasis in Community Health from the University of Minnesota. Kim brings a spectrum of professional experience and personal interests ranging from working with heart patients and in pediatrics, a background as a Janus fund accountant, and a position in the Geography and Environmental Sciences Department before landing in Psychology.

Kim says what she likes most about her current job is, “having the independence of running my department efficiently as we continue to grow in numbers. I like the challenge and finding new ways to improve my position as a PA to support my students and faculty members, to the best of my knowledge.” 

When asked what she liked best about working in CLAS Kim responded, “My colleagues and the camaraderie we have to support each other [and]… having a great support of resources that I can count on when I seek help.”

“A dynamo in our department! If you want something done, ask her!” says Associate Professor Clinical Teaching Track in Psychology Joan Bihun of Kim. “We appreciate her efficiency and follow through when we're having any difficulty doing our own work or requests for help… [She is a] great faculty support person and a highly accomplished academic in her own right!”

Dr. Hill received her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology while working in the Psychology department. “Physical Exercise has been instilled in my life since I was five… I engaged in many sports and activities in my life, especially gymnastics… I was always around athletes who were striving to make a mark in their sports. So my interest grew more with the mechanics of how our body functioned as true athletes.” Kim applies her knowledge of physical exercise, expertise in health improvement and her own discipline in her daily routine both on and off campus. “I am still quite active and focus on my health and well-being.”

Kim’s talents and skills are best summed up by her supervisor, Chair Peter Kaplan, who says, “Kim is the face of the Psychology Department. She is my right-hand person for personnel, purchasing, technology, and budgetary matters; she keeps me on track. She is also something of a confidante to faculty, students, and her staff colleagues. She is an all-around MVP and great asset to our programs. I don’t know what we would do without her!”

We celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Kim Hill, PA in the department of Psychology, and appreciate her positive attitude, ever-lasting energy and professionalism. Kim is a great contributor to her department, to CLAS and our Lynx Community at large.