密歇根州立大学丹佛: Colorado’s economic engine

A message from 珍妮·戴维森博士.D.，密歇根州立大学丹佛分校校长

西班牙语版

9月. 17, 2020

Dear 密歇根州立大学丹佛 community,

Anchor Institutions endure because they are the economic engines – and beating hearts – of the cities they serve. 55年来, Metropolitan State University of 丹佛 has been an Anchor Institution for Colorado’s beloved capital city, serving as a proving ground for its future leaders, the educational hub for its workforce pipeline and the harbinger of opportunity for Coloradans who aspire to achieve the American dream.

Although the value of a college degree from 密歇根州立大学丹佛 may be obvious to the 95,000 alumni who have benefited from a real-world education, 有什么新鲜事吗? 经济影响报告 makes clear is that the University’s influence extends far beyond benefits for its graduates. The graphic below highlights a few of the most impressive numbers, including the University’s overall economic impact, jobs supported and taxes generated.

These numbers are a testament to what so many Coloradans already know – that an investment in 密歇根州立大学丹佛 is an investment in the long-term economic success of our state and the vibrancy of our diverse communities. More than 96% of 密歇根州立大学丹佛 students come from Colorado, and 80% of our alumni remain here after graduation. We also serve the most diverse undergraduate-student population in the state and educate the most first-generation students. That’s why I continue to say that we are the University best-positioned to help our state close its higher-education equity gap.

This has been a difficult year for everyone in Colorado as we grapple with a trifecta of challenges: the global pandemic and resulting impacts on the economy, as well as the circumstances that precipitated the historic anti-racist movement. I commend our state leaders for doing their best to balance the budget amid these circumstances. 高等教育, 然而, the pandemic has only exacerbated a decades-long trend of disinvestment in public universities. This year, the higher-ed budget was cut by 58%. While some of those funds were recouped via the CARES Act, the cut speaks to the long-term threat facing universities in a state that ranks 48^th nationally in public higher-education funding.

I hope you will join me in sharing the story laid out so clearly in this 经济影响报告: Colorado’s public universities and colleges bring immense value to the state economy, as well as its communities and people. Together, we can ensure the future of Anchor Institutions such as 密歇根州立大学丹佛.

真诚地,

珍妮·戴维森博士.D.

总统