Reflections from 9Th

REFLECTIONS FROM 9TH

I was Going to get a Degree... and Leave HR INSIGHT At the last Auraria Board of Directors meeting, I formally announced my intent to retire from Auraria at the end of the fiscal year. Many have since asked for details about the extended time I have been engaged with this unique place. My tenure is entirely too Stay Healthy and Happy much to explain in a column, but I will offer this broad sweep. with this No-Cost Employee Benefit Of course, my last ten years have been the most fulfilling, as I have served as the Chief Executive Officer alongside a great group of The Colorado State Employee institutional leaders and AHEC staff who share in the spirit of success Assistance Program (C-SEAP) for the campus. The support of the Auraria Board has made so is a professional, no-cost many cutting-edge initiatives possible, and it has been a wonderful assessment, referral, and short- experience to be in a position to truly “make a difference.” We term counseling service offered have achieved so much together, not the least of which has been to all state employees with a comprehensive master plan with the expanded neighborhood either work-related or personal concept, significant developments and renovations to the campus, concerns. C-SEAP also provides connectivity projects to integrate us with downtown Denver, and the resources for supervisors and creation of place-making elements, such as the Tivoli Quad, that are managers, including individual so important to the campus life experience. managerial consultation, work- group organizational development, But what many may not be aware of is that I have actually worked assistance with conflict resolution, on the campus full-time for more than 40 life-changing years, having and help with resolution of accepted my first job as a student hourly employee in January 1979. workplace traumatic events. Prior to that, beginning in fall 1977, I had simply been a student on the campus, attending CU Denver. I was working to pay my own way C-SEAP has been a trusted through college, while taking the bus back and forth to my job and confidential resource for over school. When I saw an on-campus, full-time job advertised, I jumped 1 at the chance to apply. After all, it would be so much easier to work 30 years, working to improve the on campus until I got my degree…and then I would leave. At that quality of life and work for state point in time, almost all positions were full-time student hourly jobs, employees through organizational with a small network of permanent administrators. and individual assistance. As an AHEC employee, you have direct A little over a year later, I saw a campus job advertised that offered access to this free-of-charge benefits, and I successfully competed for it. Of course, it was still my benefit. plan to get my degree…and then leave. But something happened that has happened to so many of us on this campus: I got “the Bug!” Learn more » I loved this place—the people, the progressiveness, the diversity, the www.colorado.gov/c-seap history, the challenge, and best of all, the constant change. 303-866-4314

From there I had the tremendously good fortune of competing for various progressive jobs over the years…even after I got my degree! STAFF SPOTLIGHT I always pursued the jobs that were different and unique. I was fortified by being surrounded by talented teams of people, as well as, a very supportive husband and family who believed in my crazy drive to make things happen for this campus. When the campus reacquired the Tivoli, I even became the General Manager of the then-active shopping mall, while also running the traditional student center. I subsequently managed the Tivoli as a hybrid student union and shopping mall experiment, complete with nightclubs, high-end restaurants and very long work hours. Along the way, I oversaw many tri-institutional departments, including special events programming, and briefly, career services and disability services for all three institutions, prior to their decentralization.

Everything at one point or another seemed to be part of my path, including all enterprise and revenue programs, business services, facility operations, leasing and property negotiations, development Jet the K9 and construction, event management, and much more. It was Auraria Campus Police impossible to be bored in such a vibrant and unique environment! (Of Department course, during all of this, I earned my advanced degree, also from CU Denver). Ultimately, the part of the story that most are familiar Jet, the newest employee for with is that I became the CEO. Who would have thought that a young the Auraria Campus Police woman barely paying her way through college could end up running Department, is Officer Corey the place? It was a feat that I am quite certain I never would have Averill’s new K9 partner. Named believed possible so many years ago when I first started here. after Tivoli Brewery’s vintage malt liquor, Jet landed on the It has been inspiring to reflect on the campus through its evolution, Auraria Campus in January with and then imagine the extraordinary things that are still possible an incredible amount of energy here in the future. What is wonderfully apparent, though, is that and drive to work. A two-and-a- extraordinary things will indeed continue to happen because the half-year-old Labrador Retriever people here believe in success and collaboration. mix, Jet has been trained for explosives detection, but he And now that I’m actually going to leave, I’ve realized the truth: you started his law enforcement never completely leave a place that has become such a part of your career with search and rescue soul and that you have had the opportunity to leave your permanent training. As a team, Jet and mark on in so many ways. As someone shared, I will “leave” knowing Officer Averill conduct searches that my fingerprints remain on everything that’s happened here. for a variety of explosive materials on campus. Thank you, Auraria Campus—what a wonderful ride! Weiske is about to (finally) leave the campus. Jet has been through a comprehensive explosives detection training program and Barb Weiske Chief Executive Officer continues to attend training to keep his skills sharp. Selected 2 for his intense drive and bravery, CAMPUS NEWS Jet is a shining example of the “Respond With Urgency” COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER Guiding Principle. He’s tenacious and always ready to work, taking his job of looking for explosives very seriously.

While Jet’s favorite activity is working, when he’s given some downtime he loves to play fetch and tug-of-war with Officer Averill.

FAVORITE FOOD Anything edible (literally)

INFLUENTIAL PERSON I’D LIKE TO MEET Charles Goodyear, the man who invented vulcanized rubber for the tennis ball Community College of Denver (CCD) is HEIDENHAIN’s first authorized training partner in North America. Pictured (left to right): HEIDENHAIN’s Julian Renz, CCD’s Eric Miller, HEIDENHAIN’s Joe Pizzoferrato, and CCD’s Matthew Sweeney. (Photo: Business Wire) FAVORITE HOLIDAY Thanksgiving because it smells delicious CCD Becomes First Authorized Training Partner of Heidenhain Controls PETS A brother and sister: Dash and In January, HEIDENHAIN, a company that develops and supports Denali motion control feedback solutions for a wide variety of industries, announced that Community College of Denver’s Advanced FUN FACT Manufacturing Center (AMC) is the first HEIDENHAIN authorized I smell the world in 3-D. Yep that’s training partner focusing on its computer numerical control systems right, I can smell separately with in North America. Both students and industry stakeholders alike can each nostril, which creates a 3-D now access and train on the latest in state-of-the-art manufacturing profile for my brain to analyze. It’s equipment at CCD. similar to how your eyes compile two slightly different views of the To become an authorized training partner, CCD staff completed world to make a 3-D image. My several rounds of advanced training on the 5-Axis HEIDENHAIN brain combines these different terminal node controller machine and successfully passed an odor profiles to form a 3-D picture extensive exam. so I can determine exactly where smelly objects are in the “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to domestic manufacturing environment. with these advanced capabilities,” said Matthew Sweeney, AMC Director. “It’s exciting to see what can now be done just by knowing what buttons to push on these conversational and effective NEW HIRES HEIDENHAIN controls. And we are just scratching the surface of what these HEIDENHAIN controllers can do. Even the most experienced Discover colleagues who have machinist can benefit from these advanced capabilities.” recently joined the “One Auraria” community and recognize those HEIDENHAIN has been in a relationship with CCD and their who have retired.

Advanced Manufacturing Center in Colorado since 2015, including participating in multiple joint workshops held at CCD for 5-axis NEW HIRES machining covering theoretical and practical parts. There are multiple HEIDENHAIN TNC controls in operation at the AMC, and student AURARIA CAMPUS POLICE classes are currently being offered from basic to advanced control Rose Berger programming and training. Neighborhood Community Officer 3 METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER Malaka Dharmarathna Neighborhood Community Officer Sylvester Marenya Police Officer Rupjot Nagra Neighborhood Community Officer David Quintana Communication Technician Victor Semental Police Officer Intern

CAMPUS PROGRAMS Angela LeValley Associate Director of Campus Programs Jacqueline Slocombe Sustainability Coordinator

MSU Denver’s Student Success Building FACILITIES SERVICES Leah Berg MSU Denver Kicks Off Strategic Plan 2025 Grounds & Nursery II Eduardo Castanon The future of Metropolitan State University of Denver has arrived with Grounds & Nursery I the kickoff of the Strategic Plan 2025 process. Alexandra Ginter Grounds & Nursery I Vice President of Strategy Cathy Lucas and Matt Makley, Ph.D, Professor of History and President of the Faculty Senate, will co-chair PARKING & the 18-month effort, which will build on the vision of President Janine TRANSPORTATION The process will produce goals and objectives that Davidson, Ph.D. SERVICES guide MSU Denver in becoming the model urban university in the nation. LeJon Devan Business Manager “We want this process to be as collaborative and transparent as possible,” Lucas said. “During the last strategic-planning process, Daniel Everett Field Customer Service we engaged about 2,000 people. This time around, we’re aiming to Coordinator engage between 4,000 and 5,000 internal and external stakeholders.” John Frenchu Parking Specialist That engagement starts with the formation of a Strategic Planning Team, which will comprise an esteemed and diverse group of faculty, Larry Mandujano staff, administrators, students, and alumni. The 20- to 25-person team, Parking Specialist in partnership with a consultant, will guide the process and keep the Amelia Tubbs campus community updated on progress. Parking Control Technician

The team will include representation from leadership groups such as SUPPORT SERVICES the Faculty Senate, the Council of Administrators, and the Classified Sydney Aardappel Staff Council. Custodian I Brayan Franco At a presentation to the Board of Trustees in December, Lucas noted Custodian I that the planning process will take place in six phases: Haley Fritts-McNulty Custodian I 1) Getting organized (January-March) Ana Gamez 2) Data gathering and engagement (April-July) Custodian I 3) Making sense of the issues (August-October) Thomas Garcia 4) Vision building (November-December) Custodian I 5) Goals building (January-March 2020) Thomas Garcia, Jr. 6) Strategic implementation (April-June 2020) Custodian I

Strategic Plan 2025 will go into effect July 1, 2020. 4 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER Ralph Madril Custodian I Monica Martinez Custodian I Joshua Sailas Custodian I Peter Wilson, V. Custodian I

RETIREE AURARIA CAMPUS POLICE Andrew Liska CU Denver’s first-year students form the interlocking CU during orientation. (Photo: CU Denver) Police Officer III

Lynx Population on the Rise SHOUT OUT Whether it’s the lure of the Lynx or the magic of the Mile High City, new students are sensing the attraction of the University of Colorado Denver and applying in droves.

A USA Today survey of 600 institutions across the country placed CU Denver No. 8 in a top-100 list for application growth, citing a 126-percent increase during a five-year period.

“As a campus, we’ve made a lot of strides in getting on people’s radar,” said Undergraduate Admissions Director Catherine Wilson. “It’s nice to know CU Denver is on the map.” WINTER BREAK GIVES For the sixth straight year, the university enrolled a record number ACPD TIME TO TRAIN of first-year students (1,716), welcoming 15,232 total students to campus in fall 2018. When students are away for winter break and campus is “I think it speaks volumes of the hard work that’s been done in quiet, the Auraria Campus Police engaging prospective students and their families in the CU Denver Department takes the opportunity community,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Access and to do extensive in-service training Enrollment Genia Herndon. “It’s truly the whole reason we are here.” with their entire department.

“Our students have a lot going on,” Wilson said. “They tend to work By legislative mandate, officers outside of going to school. They have families and responsibilities. are required to take 24 hours So, what they like about CU Denver is that it fits into their lives versus of annual training. Because having to disrupt their lives. It’s the flexibility.” Chief Michael Phibbs believes training is key to keeping Through online course offerings, students can choose from more than officers prepared and ready, he 50 degrees and certificates available, including night and weekend organized a full week of training classes. CU Online was recently ranked No. 3 in the state for 2019’s for each officer to start the year. best online colleges by the Guide to Online Schools. While officers were completing The value of having the city for a campus cannot be overplayed, trainings on topics such as Herndon said. “Things are happening in this city, and I think students driving, record keeping, case want to be a part of that.” law and statutory law (legal updates), dispatchers completed a scavenger hunt to familiarize themselves with the campus geography and neighborhood community officers completed online training. 5 Three new trainings were ‘ONE AURARIA’ NEWS added to the schedule this HUMBLE HEROES year. Hands-on active shooter training took place in the King Center, where officers wore full gear, including gas masks, helmets, and tactical vests. MSU Denver Speech Communication Professor Katia Campbell, Ph.D. delivered a class on anti-bias training, which encompassed the history of the #metoo movement, gender and race bias, as well as microaggressions. As well, the ACPD is now partnering with CU Denver’s Lola and Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center for an intential fitness development program for Trades teams prepare students for North Classroom tour. Pictured (left to right): Mike Cushman, Tom Johnson, Matthew Stiles, Roddy Palma, Andy Chase, Art Ortega, Tara Weachter officers. One of their new (not pictured: Dan Drayer) winter break trainings included instruction and orientation from the Wellness Center staff. Facilities Services Adds Value to Engineering Class with Behind-the-Scenes Tour CALENDAR & Facilities Services’ HVAC, electrical, and plumbing trades teams REMINDERS live and breathe the “Make an Impact” Guiding Principle. They are responsible for ensuring that all mechanical systems on campus are March 25–29, 2019 always fully operational for the benefit of the students, faculty, and Spring Break (no classes) staff. Last semester, the trades groups had an opportunity to make a different kind of impact—by sharing their knowledge directly with a March 31, 2019 class of engineering students. Classified Employee performance cycle ends Heidi Brothers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Engineering at CU Denver, approached Facilities Services for a class tour of the May 16, 2019 mechanical systems in North Classroom. Tara Weachter, Director CCD Commencement of Facilities Services, coordinated the effort by breaking the class of 25 students into three groups. The three trades supervisors—Art May 17, 2019 Ortega (electrical), Tom Johnson (plumbing), and Roddy Palma MSU Denver Commencement (HVAC) took each of the groups on customized tours May 18, 2019 and answered the students’ CU Denver Commencement questions along the way. May 27, 2019 The students sent a Memorial Day (campus closed) handwritten thank you note with all of their signatures to express their gratitude to Facilities Services. This tour was so impactful on the students that Brother has added it to the curriculum CU Denver students tour North Classroom’s mechanical systems. 6 for future classes. The trades groups look forward to continuing this partnership, and helping further the education of the CU Denver students.

“This initiative helped connect our trades staff with students to more fully grasp the concept behind why we are all here, while students gained a respect and appreciation for the knowledge level and dedication required to keep the systems operational and well- maintained,” said JaNae Nelson, Director of Facilities Management. “There were benefits on all sides.”

Story Ideas & Newsletter Feedback Contact: Katy Brown, 9th Street News Editor ([email protected] or 303.556.8090)

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