Angela Schmitt recently earned dual honors for her exceptional commitment to student support: the CLAS Outstanding Student Engagement Award and the University of Colorado Denver Exemplary Student Support Award. In under two years, she has revolutionized processes surrounding student scholarships, employment, communications, recruitment, and curricular planning in the Department of Political Science. Angie exceeds the scope of her position, relentlessly seeking out information, connecting with other offices, and proposing solutions to inefficiencies that affect the student experience, resulting in positive changes at the department and college level. She is frequently first to volunteer to try a new approach or idea and always delivers prompt results.
Angie focuses on effective information sharing to students, resulting in greater awareness of events and opportunities. This is evident via biweekly e-newsletters, revamped social media, and an updated website, overflowing with current happenings and achievements of students and faculty. Angie conducts in-person class visits to connect with students and recently organized a group of CLAS staff to attend a conference to improve how staff respond to student needs. She supervises three student assistants and credits them for their many thoughtful and creative ideas. Her many student-centered initiatives have developed a strong reputation for the political science department in communications and recruitment within CLAS.
When asked about her work, Angie states, "The best part of my job is working with extremely talented, intelligent, and dedicated colleagues. Political science faculty are completely committed to connecting with students, advocating for them, and connecting them with as many opportunities as possible. We support our students as people and care about their success in all areas of life."
Angie holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Grand Valley State University, a master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder, and is an MBA candidate at the University of Colorado Denver. As a professional pianist, she shares her talents across the Front Range when not engaged in educational pursuits.