Sociology Newsletter - March 2026

Each spring, CU Denver’s campus-wide Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS)  celebrates undergraduate and graduate student research and creative projects. This year, RaCAS is on Friday, April 24 in the Student Wellness Center. RaCAS is a wonderful opportunity for students to present their thesis, capstone, or final project to the CU Denver community. Presentations can be a poster, 10-minute oral talk, or media exhibit/display. The deadline for submitting abstracts is Friday, March 20. The RaCAS team is available to support students as they work on their research. Advising meetings and general information are available by phone (303-315-4000) or email.

Our master’s degree program is accepting applications! Students interested in transforming their passion for social change into expert knowledge and actionable skills can now do so in a flexible, hybrid environment that doesn’t compromise on quality. Our faculty specialize in criminology, law, and deviance; medical sociology; urban studies; and families and social welfare. Our program allows you to MA Your Way through four different finishing options, including a traditional thesis or an applied internship experience. Students have leveraged their time with us to gain entry to leading PhD programs such as Princeton, Wisconsin, and Washington; secure jobs with innovative firms like Zayo and Transamerica; and join nonprofits and public institutions doing meaningful work in our communities, including the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and the Colorado Department of Public Health. We hope you’ll consider joining our team! Students interested in more information about the program are encouraged to contact our graduate director, Dr. Adam Lippert.

The Phoenix Center at Auraria is seeking volunteers who are willing to replace bathroom signs in the men’s restrooms across campus. Education is violence prevention. And every action helps shift the campus culture toward safety and accountability. Lend a hand today! You can volunteer anytime on Mondays-Fridays from 9AM to 4PM. Contact Rachael Reed, Violence Prevention Education Program Manager, to volunteer.

Do you love teaching, working with young people, and promoting change? If so, check out the award-winning Generation Teach AmeriCorps Summer Teaching Fellowship. Fellows earn a living allowance of $3,234.92 and an AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 while gaining leadership and teaching experience. Fellowships include pre-summer preparation, 7 days of in-person training, and 24 days of teaching Denver middle-school students. Serving as a teaching fellow offers a unique chance to grow as a leader and teacher and develop skills for your future career. And as a fellow, you will join a loving community of 32 undergraduate and high-school students. The upcoming application deadline is March 15. Learn more through this flier and video. Applications can be found here!

Urban Peak is a Denver-based organization providing a full convergence of services focused on one of the most vulnerable populations in our community: youth ages 12 through 24 who are experiencing homelessness. To move from homelessness to safety and stability, youth require intensive, strengths-based case management; access to physical, mental, and behavioral health care; education and employment opportunities; 24/7 crisis support; and a place to call home. Urban Peak meets youth where they are at and ignites a spark that puts them on a path toward self-determined, fulfilled lives. Urban Peak also has volunteer opportunities available. You can check out the different ways to help here. This includes donating deodorant, t-shirts, dishwasher pods, wipes, mattresses, and bedframes through Amazon.

Our colleagues in Community & Behavioral Health at CU Anschutz are recruiting student participants for for a stress reduction program and study. By participating, you will have access to free group programs to help reduce stress and improve mental health and the opportunity to earn up to $225 by participating in a research study. Students who are 18-25 years old are eligible to participate. The program meets for 1.5 hours/week for 7 weeks. The study involves making 3 lab visits over 6 months, completing brief daily surveys, and collecting saliva samples at home. Group programs will be offered on Wednesday afternoons from 3/4 to 4/22 (except for 3/25, spring break)! Click here to see a video describing this opportunity! And here is a link to schedule a screening call to see if you're eligible for this study! Questions about this opportunity can be directed to Dr. Charlotte Farewell.

Knowing which courses to take or career paths to target is not easy. If you have advising questions, please contact our Undergraduate Advisor, Dr. Maren Scull. Dr. Scull is available to meet in-person or via Zoom.

March is Women’s History Month. On March 8, people around the globe celebrate International Women’s Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Throughout the month, people across the US will be doing the same.

While we take this time to recognize women’s contributions to society, leaders across the country and world are systematically dismantling women’s rights to health care, bodily autonomy, freedom from gender violence, political equality, equal compensation, and individual expression. The fight for women’s rights and equality remains as urgent as ever.

This month, CU Denver is hosting a Women’s History Month Celebration on Thursday, March 5, 4PM-7PM. Come and see students showcase their talents and enjoy crafts, food, drink, and other fun community activities to celebrate girl power on campus! Off campus, the Center for Colorado Women's History, a museum focusing on the lives of Colorado women, hosts exhibits, personalized tours, and special events. Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, will be free at the museum and the Center’s Ms. Destiny exhibition closes March 27! History Colorado is already celebrating Women’s History Month with a collection of exhibitions and events. Meanwhile, RTD is once again walking the talk, sharing the stories of 3 professionals embodying the agency’s internal theme of “Resilience and Reinvention” to advance equity, strength systems, and sustain community.

The Sociology Club meets every other Tuesday this semester from 5:30PM-7:30PM in the Fourth Floor Conference Room at Lawrence Street Center, around the corner from the Sociology Department). The Club is holding its annual election for officers. The Club is encouraging nominations for any officer role and any new proposed amendments to the club constitution. Come to the Club and take an active part in enacting change on our campus and in our community!

The Department of Sociology is proud to co-sponsor a campus community event to listen and learn from Colorado organizations doing grassroots work to build community solidarity and prepare for possible expansion of immigration enforcement actions in Denver and Colorado. The event will focus on teaching rights, building community safety, connecting community, and strengthening solidarity. Participating organizations include Colorado Rapid Response Network, General Strike USA, Court Watch, Casa de Paz, Aurora Unidos, American Friends Service Committee. Come join us on Wednesday, March 4, 6:30–8:00 PM, in Student Commons, Room 1500. Food will be provided!

Our friends at MSU Denver Social Work are hosting their 17th Annual Palliative Care Social Work (PCSWK) Conference on Friday, April 3, 2026, 8:30AM-3:30PM in a hybrid format. This year's conference theme is Resilience & Wisdom Shared: Interprofessional Approaches to Palliative Care. Designed for social work educators, practitioners, students, and allied health professionals, the conference offers a space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and practical strategies that advance interprofessional approaches to palliative care. Because the conference is hybrid, faculty, staff, and students from across the country can participate fully — without the need for travel. You can plan to attend by registering here!

New Tech Colorado is a network dedicated connecting Colorado's innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts. On Thursday, April 9, 6:00-8:00PM, at Founder Central in Boulder, New Tech Colorado will celebrate female entrepreneurship in Colorado by hosting the 6 finalists for its Women’s Venture Challenge!

Female startup founders face a severe, persistent funding gap, with all-female teams receiving only about 2% of total global venture capital. This figure has barely moved in over a decade, despite the fact that female startups often outperform their peers in revenue generated per dollar invested. The Women’s Venture Challenge shines a spotlight (and prize money) on these worthy startups. Join Tech Central to recognize these female entrepreneurs, network with investors and innovators pushing the boundaries of technology, and enjoy food and beverages from local women-owned purveyors. Questions about the event can be directed to Shreya Madhavarapu.

“The Spirit of Togetherness” (2003), Yvonne Muinde, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, Denver, CO

Our department is over the moon to share that faculty members Dr. Adam Lippert, Dr. Esther Sullivan, and Dr. Jenny Vermilya have each received awards for excellence by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). Dr. Lippert received the 2026 CLAS Award for Excellence in Teaching by tenure-track faculty, Dr. Sullivan the 2026 CLAS Award for Excellence in Research by tenure-track faculty, and Dr. Vermilya the 2026 CLAS Award for Excellence in Teaching by IRC Faculty. Our award winners will be feted at the CLAS Dean’s Awards Reception on Friday, May 1, 3:30-5:30PM in the Terrace Room at Lawrence Street Center. Congratulations Adam, Esther, and Jenny and thank you for all your hard work!

The department is shouting out Miles Zhang (MA, 2025), who just published an article with Dr. Adam Lippert in Social Science & Medicine based on their work on adult problem drinking. Drawing on cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and building on previous research establishing a strong link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and problem drinking in adulthood, their study refines the measurement of ACEs to capture differences in adversity severity and investigate the moderating role of perceived social support. Excellent work Miles and Adam!

Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian political activist, lawyer, a former judge, and human rights activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights in Iran. She was the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to receive the prize. She currently lives in exile in London. In a 2004 interview on the topic of cultural relativism—the idea that international human rights and democratic standards do not apply to some cultures—Ebadi noted, “Democracy doesn't recognize east or west; democracy is simply people's will. Therefore, I do not acknowledge that there are various models of democracy; there is just democracy itself.” The fight for women’s equality across the globe continues.

The Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (URCA) is your connection to research opportunities at CU Denver. URCA is here to help students jump-start their research careers. Its Education through Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities program, or EURēCA, has research assistantship and grant opportunities that fund undergraduate students for doing research. Explore opportunities on their webpage and schedule an appointment with their office to put your ideas into action.

The Learning Resources Center (LRC) at CU Denver is committed to student academic success, retention, and graduation by promoting and fostering independent learning and critical thinking skills. The LRC strives to cultivate effective learning strategies, skills, and study habits while empowering students to be lifelong learners in a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. The office offers a bevy of services to help students meet their academic and personal goals. These include peer tutoring, a writing center, supplemental learning, individual coaching, study skills workshops, and more. Visit their website for more information and schedule a session!

Alpha Kappa Delta is continuing its workshop series for sociology graduate students: The Graduate Student Lounge. The AKD Grad Student Lounge is an initiative sponsored by Alpha Kappa Delta to support and foster graduate students’ professionalization, well-being, and peer networking. It meets monthly to discuss various topics of interest to graduate students in sociology and offers a grad-only safe space to share tips, ideas, and recommendations. Graduate students are welcome to sign up to be invited using this link.

Milo’s Market is CU Denver’s grocery spot. It’s a hub for students, staff, and faculty to access free food and hygiene items. Milo’s Market embodies CU Denver’s belief that every person deserves to live free of food insecurity. All students are allocated various goods each week, whether it's a snack for the day or ingredients for a meal. All you need is your LynxCard and a reusable bag! Milo’s Market is located on the 3rd floor of the Wellness Center.

The Office of Equity (OE) is dedicated to advancing an inclusive environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status. The OE strives to foster a community where all identities are respected, and every individual has equitable access to education and employment opportunities. More information on OE offerings and a link for making an equity report can be found here.

In the wake of the surge in immigration enforcement in Minnesota, which lead led to chaotic standoffs between ICE and local residents and the killings of two residents by federal officials, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston last week issued an executive order directing city police to intervene during clashes involving federal immigration officers. The mayor explained his order by noting the duty of local law enforcement to protect people’s civil rights and provide aid to Denver residents. You can read more about Mayor Johnston’s action in the Colorado Sun and the Department of Homeland Security’s response to it in Denver7 News.

The actions of women have been central to the progress of our country. Yet, women’s contributions are systematically erased from our cultural ledger. Hence the need for Women’s History Month and the fight against forgetting. The New York Times has an inspiring piece on former Representative Carolyn Maloney’s (NY) two suffragists’ drive from New York to California and back in a two-seater car to support ratification of the 19th Amendment, which recognized women’s right to vote. Ms. magazine, meanwhile, has an excellent story on America’s founding feminists whose efforts helped build American democracy.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of the rights and the empowerment of women. Established in 1946, the commission will convene its seventieth session from March 9-19 with a focus on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. On March 4, the UN will release a Secretary-General’s report, “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for ALL Women and Girls," warning that systems meant to protect women and girls are failing, leaving millions exposed to discrimination, violence, and impunity as backlash against gender equality intensifies and violations of fundamental rights rise worldwide. You can follow the meeting as well as the content of the report here.