Strategic Imperative One: Access, Inclusivity & Community

Foster an inclusive and equitable campus climate to ensure a thriving and diverse graduate student community.

Recruit and retain a diverse graduate student body Improve campus climate for graduate students
Recruit and retain a diverse graduate student body

Recruit and retain a diverse graduate student body.

  • Provide incentives for departments to expand their outreach and recruitment of students from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education.
  • Increase the percentage of the dean's time dedicated to outreach with other Colorado higher education institutions.
  • Expand relationships with minority-serving institutions across the country.
  • Increase the number of current students transitioning from masters to doctoral degrees.
  • Partner with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE) and the senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion to:
    • Better support and expand research programs dedicated to the recruitment of students from underserved populations.
    • Expand recruitment weekends, such as the Colorado Advantage program, that target underrepresented populations beyond the STEM departments.
    • Provide additional opportunities for underrepresented graduate students to connect and network across all disciplines.
  • Partner with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and other units to provide expanded academic, social and professional development support for our international student community.

Implement targeted measures to improve campus climate for graduate students.

  • Improve and expand mental health services for graduate students.
  • Invest in professional support positions to assist with resilience, conflict mediation, and navigating graduate school responsibilities and requirements.
  • Create new opportunities and incentives for faculty advisors to seek professional development on maintaining positive advisor-advisee relations.
    • Broaden services and reinforce best practices in advising and mentoring.
    • Partner with the Center for Teaching & Learning to offer holistic advising workshops.
  • Invest in online mentorship platforms that increase success in matching graduate students with mentors and provide continuous support for the relationship.
  • Improve alumni-student connections.
  • Create first-year graduate student experience module
  • Create more opportunities for social connection and professional development, and additional extracurricular support services.
  • Create a home that would provide space for Graduate School staff and affiliated centers, resources and support services dedicated to graduate students, and professional and community-building activities.