Alumni Awards News

The Recent Alumni Award is given to alumni who are within five years of graduation and are affecting positive change for the community.

CU Denver honors Monica C Cutler MPA ’18 with the Recent Alumni Award. Following in her aunt’s footsteps (Beth Moyski MPA ’94), Monica received her MPA in nonprofit management and Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs.

While pursuing her Master of Public Administration degree, Monica showed leadership promise by serving as president and co-president of the MPA Student Association from 2015-2018. In recognition of her academic achievements, she received the Outstanding MPA Student award and was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the honor society for public affairs and administration students.

Monica joined the Office of Advancement at CU Denver in 2014 and rose to her current role as Assistant Director of Advancement Communications in 2017. Colleagues rely on Monica's advice and expertise in communicating with alumni and other external constituents, and she proactively shares engagement metrics to help others with decision-making. Monica is well versed in the policies, procedures, and laws associated with e-communications to ensure her office remains compliant. While her work typically takes place behind the scenes, Monica has been an essential contributor to the success of her colleagues and office overall.

Joan Fishburn, Alumni Relations and Career Specialist for the School of Public Affairs stated, “We are proud of her work to grow the Denver campus' alumni community and believe she embodies many of the leadership qualities demonstrated by our most distinguished alumni.”

In 2019, she received the McCord Award, with which the University of Colorado Foundation recognizes CU Advancement and Foundation employees who best exemplify creativity, entrepreneurship, integrity, collegiality, loyalty, and vision.

Monica is an active alumna of the School of Public Affairs and was recently nominated by the School's faculty and staff to serve on the newly formed SPA GOLD Board where she was elected to serve as vice-president/secretary and is helping craft bylaws. She is an annual donor to the university and enjoys volunteering to write letters to admitted students encouraging them to attend CU Denver.