Building A University For Life–And The Workforce Of The Future
Change is inevitable, but the rate at which our economy and workforce are evolving is accelerating. By collaborating with employers, we can help learners anticipate these shifts and adapt for the modern workplace. We also know that learning does not always follow a predictable path—nor does it have an endpoint. At CU Denver, we’re meeting the evolving needs of learners and our workforce with new academic programs and real-world opportunities that help learners achieve their goals, no matter where they are in their lives and careers.
We prepare students for the world—the real world—which means teaching hands-on skills in addition to high-quality academics. And we provide learning whenever and wherever learners want it—including online. That’s true for student Sarah Bennett, whose online and in-person coursework in political science has led to a burgeoning career in public policy. Read Sarah’s story below.
As part of our flexible model that meets learners where they are, we have implemented the following steps:
- Developed a holistic digital strategy that ensures the creation and delivery of flexible, hybrid, and stackable programs that fit the practical realities of students’ lives. More than 10,600 CU Denver students chose to take classes in more than one modality (hybrid, in-person, or online), meaning that they selected programming that works for them, wherever they are.
- Invested in strategic hybrid programming for in-demand fields, including accounting, information systems, and early childhood education, which helps fill employment gaps in our local and global economy.
- Created and offered a growing number of stackable degrees, credentials, and certificates, enabling our diverse learners to grow their careers and contribute to a more inclusive workforce.
- Continued growth in experiential learning opportunities, including the launch of federally registered apprenticeship programs providing work-based learning opportunities for students.
- Launched the Change Makers program to help older adults explore new career possibilities. This effort builds off of CU Denver’s larger initiative as part of the Age-Friendly University Global Network—an innovative global education movement that supports intergenerational opportunities for an aging learning population.
- Established a micro-credential in electric vehicle technology in partnership with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance.
Lynx in Focus
Sarah Bennett
Bachelor of Arts ’22, Political Science
Sarah Bennett’s school days had a rhythm to them. As a single mom, she’d get her two sons ready, drop them off at daycare, attend a few classes, and head to work. At 6:30 p.m., she’d take her kids home, get them ready for bed and go online to finish classwork. In between, she’d manage care for her grandmother.
CU Denver
CU Denver
Student Commons Building
1201 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 315-5969