Announcements & Deadlines

CU Boulder receives grant promoting collaboration, dialogue in higher education

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:31:16 +0000

CU Boulder receives grant promoting collaboration, dialogue in higher education Megan M Rogers Tue, 02/03/2026 - 10:31

Restoring Trust: Humanistic Perspectives on Academic Freedom, American Democracy and Higher Education Leadership is a three-year initiative, supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Sawyer Seminar program.

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CU announces $2M investment in Center for African & African American Studies

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:51:03 +0000

CU announces $2M investment in Center for African & African American Studies Megan M Rogers Tue, 02/03/2026 - 06:51

CU Boulder �Թ�� Justin Schwartz and CU President Todd Saliman have announced a $2 million investment over five years for the Center for African & African American Studies (CAAAS).

The announcement was made during a celebration of the start of Black History Month, which coincides with the fifth anniversary celebration of the center, the 150th anniversary celebrations of the campus and the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.

Founded in 2021, the CAAAS supports teaching, research, creative work and community engagement focused on the histories, cultures and lived experiences of people of African descent. The center serves the entire CU Boulder campus while strengthening connections with communities in Boulder and across Colorado.

“CAAAS is a young, growing, vibrant center that serves all of CU Boulder and connects to the community in Boulder and across the state,” said �Թ�� Justin Schwartz. “This investment allows the center to continue meeting its mission to support students, faculty, staff and outreach commitments to the state as we look toward CU Boulder’s next 150 years.”

Saliman emphasized the systemwide importance of the investment, noting that the CAAAS reflects the �Թ�� of Colorado’s responsibility to serve communities across the state through education, research and engagement.

“I’m so happy my office can help support this amazing center. It was created through impressive student and faculty collaboration. It’s really a special place because it is simultaneously academic, research and student life centered,” said Saliman. “It helps to build knowledge and the learner while it also builds community—and that’s what we are all about.”

The investment will provide sustained support for the CAAAS programs, student services, faculty initiatives and community partnerships over the next five years.

“I’m grateful to everyone who believed in the idea before it was fully formed,” said Reiland Rabaka, director of the CAAAS. “Every year, we push ourselves to do a little more for Colorado. It isn’t always easy, and it certainly isn’t inexpensive, but the work matters. I don’t just want a center, I want a world-class center. A beacon of hope, a sanctuary, a powerful and beloved community committed to research, scholarship and the stubborn belief that anything is possible.”

CU Boulder �Թ�� Justin Schwartz, Center for African and African American Studies Director Reiland Rabaka and CU President Todd Saliman celebrate the start of Black History Month, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the center, the 150th anniversary of the Boulder campus and the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Photo by Patrick Campbell/CU Boulder.

Support the CAAAS

Community members, alumni and friends who wish to support the Center for African & African American Studies can make a gift online.

To donate:

Visit giveto.colorado.edu.
Search for “Center for African & African American Studies” or “CAAAS.”
Select the fund and make a gift of any amount.

Every contribution helps strengthen CAAAS’s impact on students, scholarship and communities across Colorado. Learn more.

�Թ�� Justin Schwartz and President Todd Saliman announced a $2 million investment over five years for the Center for African & African American Studies. The announcement came as a surprise to the CAAAS community during a Feb. 2 celebration.

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Announcing the 2026 Three Minute Thesis winners

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:55:41 +0000

Announcing the 2026 Three Minute Thesis winners Megan M Rogers Fri, 01/30/2026 - 09:55

Eleven students participated in this year's final competition for a chance at prize money and a chance to represent CU Boulder at the regional competition. See who the winners are.

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Radio 1190 shines from its new home

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:08:49 +0000

Radio 1190 shines from its new home Megan M Rogers Thu, 01/29/2026 - 14:08

After calling the basement of the �Թ�� Memorial Center home since 1978, CU Boulder's campus radio station is taking to the airwaves bigger and better than before. Radio 1190 and its 175-plus student volunteers have relocated to a newly renovated, professional-grade studio home in the revitalized Carlson Gymnasium.

@radio1190

After calling the basement of the �Թ�� Memorial Center home since 1978, CU Boulder's campus radio station, and its student volunteers, are taking to the airwaves bigger and better than before from a renovated, professional-grade studio at Carlson Gymnasium.

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Celebrate CU Boulder's 150th anniversary with ready‑to‑use digital assets

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:48:17 +0000

Celebrate CU Boulder's 150th anniversary with ready‑to‑use digital assets Megan M Rogers Thu, 01/29/2026 - 09:48

Explore a collection of official branded Zoom backgrounds, badges, email signatures and more—designed to help faculty, staff and students show their Buff pride throughout this milestone year. Download, share and join in honoring 150 years of impact.

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Student awarded Churchill Scholarship—the 4th in CU Boulder history

Emma Holst — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:37:38 +0000

Student awarded Churchill Scholarship—the 4th in CU Boulder history Emma Holst Wed, 01/28/2026 - 11:37

Arianna McCarty

CU Boulder student Arianna McCarty has been awarded the prestigious Churchill Scholarship. McCarty, a senior studying chemical and biological engineering, is the fourth CU Boulder student chosen for this honor in the university’s history, with the most recent recipient selected in 2010.

The Churchill Scholarship was formed in partnership with Cambridge �Թ�� to strengthen the scientific community’s relations between England and the United States. Up to 18 scholars are chosen each year for this highly selective, rigorous program, based on their scientific endeavors and academic achievement.

The scholarship includes one year of master’s study at Cambridge �Թ�� in science, mathematics, engineering and science policy.

McCarty is an accomplished student, tacking this impressive scholarship on to a list of achievements this academic year alone. In addition to being a Boettcher Scholar, McCarty received the Goldwater Scholarship and Astronaut Scholarship in 2025.

Her journey with CU Boulder began while still a high school student in Lafayette, Colorado, when she explored computational genomics in the Layer Lab as part of the BioFrontiers Institute. Then, McCarty transitioned to researching how "certain bacteria native to our airways can actually help protect against respiratory infections" at the Clark Lab on the CU Anschutz campus. Most recently, McCarty joined the Burdick Lab, where she “engineers heart tissues to model focal cardiac fibrosis, a type of cardiac scarring that occurs after heart attacks and has no approved therapeutics, enabling high-throughput drug discovery.”

Learn more about McCarty, her academic journey and the people who have shaped her experience.

What inspired you to pursue an academic career in STEM?

I was originally drawn to medical school, driven by a desire to directly impact patients’ lives. However, after working in both clinical and laboratory settings, I became acutely aware of the disconnect between the two. Clinicians often lack access to cutting-edge research that could transform patient care, while researchers sometimes pursue questions disconnected from real clinical needs. I felt that I could ultimately impact more lives by bridging this gap through translational research, ensuring that scientific innovation is truly informed by what patients need and that promising discoveries actually make it to the clinic. This realization shifted my focus toward academia, where I aim to dedicate my career to developing effective regenerative therapies that could transform outcomes for millions of patients.

Long term, what do you hope to achieve with your research?

I aim to work at the intersection of tissue engineering, immunology and systems biology to address wound healing throughout the body, from diabetic ulcers to cardiac scarring. As a professor at an R1 research institution, I want to delve into how cells communicate, how the immune system responds and how microbes influence healing to answer the fundamental questions of why regeneration succeeds or fails. By combining traditional wet lab research with computational sequencing techniques, I aim to not only understand these biological interactions but engineer interventions to induce tissue regeneration in the clinic.

What are you looking forward to studying while at Cambridge?

I’m thrilled to be pursuing an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) in Biological Science by Thesis at the Wellcome Sanger Institute as part of the Behjati lab. There, I’ll have the opportunity to investigate how immune and blood cell populations develop during adolescence. Using cutting-edge single-cell and whole genome sequencing techniques on patient bone marrow samples, I’ll work towards filling a major gap in our understanding of how our immune systems mature, which has implications for diagnosing childhood blood disorders such as leukemia as well as improving lifelong immune health. Beyond the research itself, I am particularly excited to be joining Sanger’s bold intellectual community, where collaboration and a shared commitment to discovery drive groundbreaking science.

Over the course of your academic career, you have been the recipient of several honors and achievements. What is the driving factor behind your success?

Arianna with her brother, Bryan

I don’t believe there’s any single driving factor behind my success; it’s a combination of many things and, frankly, a lot of luck. That said, two elements stand out: intrinsic motivation and grit. Lasting success requires being motivated by genuine passion and curiosity rather than external validation or competition. For me, a profound fascination with complex biological systems and a drive to translate research into meaningful clinical impact carries me through late nights and failed experiments. However, passion without discipline results in unrealized potential. Success also requires relentlessness – being willing to tackle tedious work, finding creative approaches when standard methods fail and pushing through repeated setbacks. Intelligence alone, no matter how exceptional, doesn’t produce results without the willingness to sustain effort over time.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge in your achievement?

None of this would have been possible without the incredible mentors who have shaped my research journey. I’m profoundly grateful to Drs. Sarah Clark, Jason Burdick and Ryan Layer; each of these mentors has invested countless hours in my growth and development as a researcher and left an invaluable mark on my career. Beyond the lab, my deepest gratitude goes to my brother, Bryan McCarty, and my sister-in-law, Dr. Jessica Stelzel. I’d like to thank them for celebrating victories with me, talking me through setbacks and providing me perspective on life’s uncertainties.

Arianna McCarty has been awarded the prestigious Churchill Scholarship. McCarty, a senior studying chemical and biological engineering, is the fourth CU Boulder student chosen for this honor in the university's history, with the most recent recipient selected in 2010.

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Andrew Schwartz elected to American Law Institute

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:38:08 +0000

Andrew Schwartz elected to American Law Institute Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/27/2026 - 11:38

Professor Andrew Schwartz has been elected to the American Law Institute. Schwartz, the Laurence W. DeMuth Chair of Business Law, is one of 45 legal scholars and practitioners chosen to join ALI, an organization dedicated to producing scholarship that clarifies, modernizes and improves the law.

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Malala Yousafzai to speak at Conference on World Affairs in April

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 20:00:10 +0000

Malala Yousafzai to speak at Conference on World Affairs in April Megan M Rogers Fri, 01/23/2026 - 13:00

In partnership with the Center for Leadership and the Center for Asian Studies, we’re honored to announce Malala Yousafzai as the closing speaker for the Conference on World Affairs.

From speaking out for girls’ education at just 11 years old to becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Yousafzai’s courage has helped shape a global movement for education, equality and human rights. Her story—and her ongoing work through Malala Fund—continues to demonstrate the power of one voice to drive meaningful change.

Yousafzai will close the Conference on World Affairs with a powerful conversation centered on hope, resilience and impact. The university is proud to support this moment and invites our community to engage with an extraordinary global leader as she concludes an inspiring week of dialogue and ideas.

Ticket information coming soon! Get early access to CWA.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai will close the Conference on World Affairs with a conversation centered on hope, resilience and impact. Date and ticket information is coming soon.

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150 years of transforming lives—CU Boulder's history comes to film

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:32:28 +0000

150 years of transforming lives—CU Boulder's history comes to film Megan M Rogers Fri, 01/23/2026 - 11:32

CU Boulder is announcing the kickoff of a 150th anniversary documentary film project as a signature storytelling effort for the campus’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration.

The film, which will be produced by a team led by CU Boulder alumni filmmakers and other affiliates, will explore 150 years of the university’s transformative work, progress, challenges and continuing evolution, culminating in a premiere in January 2027, according to CU Boulder Vice �Թ�� for Strategic Communications Jon Leslie, who is an executive producer for the documentary.

“We are excited for this opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon CU Boulder’s 150-year history of serving Coloradans, transforming knowledge and impacting lives,” Leslie said. “We will be sharing behind-the-scenes updates and teasers on the project throughout the year, and we look forward to culminating our 150th anniversary celebration with our film’s premiere in January 2027.”

Leslie said the production will be led by filmmaker John W. Comerford, head of Paradigm Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, and executive-produced by Jim Packer, president of Worldwide Television Distribution at Lionsgate in Los Angeles. Both are CU alumni.

The production will bring together teams of creative professionals who have connections to CU Boulder and to Colorado’s film community, including faculty, students, staff and alumni.

“The common thread among everyone involved with this film is their direct connection to CU Boulder, which has had a formative influence on the filmmakers and producers,” said Packer. “We are looking forward to drawing on the expertise and input of CU Boulder faculty, staff and students and Boulder’s extended film community to make a memorable film that tells CU Boulder’s story as never before.”

Comerford said a core value of the documentary would be in highlighting CU Boulder’s unique position among American universities—past, present and future.

“An essential focus of the film is the unbroken trail of innovation, entrepreneurship, values and invention that have defined CU Boulder over the last 150 years and that will keep it a unique institution well into the future, in addition to unearthing a number of hidden histories associated with the generations who have passed through and served the university,” he said.

The documentary—a 40- to 60-minute feature film—will begin production later this month, with a preview “sizzle reel” premiere at CU Boulder’s Conference on World Affairs this April and a full premiere targeted for January 2027.

The film’s progress will be chronicled on social media, so all CU Boulder students, faculty, staff and alumni should stay tuned for further announcements and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

A documentary-in-the-making for the campus's yearlong sesquicentennial celebration will explore 150 years of the university's transformative work, progress, challenges and continuing evolution.

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Meet the newest employees of the year

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:25:05 +0000

Meet the newest employees of the year Megan M Rogers Fri, 01/23/2026 - 07:25

�Թ�� Justin Schwartz is honored to announce the recipients of the 2025 Employee of the Year Award. This distinguished annual award celebrates staff for their outstanding contributions to CU Boulder. Nominated by their colleagues, these individuals were selected for their extraordinary service, support of campus priorities and going above and beyond their defined job duties to make a meaningful difference.

This year’s winners were selected from an amazing pool of nominees and truly reflect the best of CU. Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients: Stew Elliot, Sara McDonald, Dragan Mejic and Teresa De Jesus Torres.

The chancellor will recognize this year’s winners at an awards ceremony and reception.

Stew Elliott

Stew Elliott is the university’s director for Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA). Under Elliott's leadership, the VMA has seen tremendous transformation in the support provided to student veterans. During his tenure, more than $2.5 million in scholarship funds has been raised, and the VMA has seen student veteran enrollment increase from 400 to roughly 1,600.

In his role, Elliott leads a team that interacts with government agencies as well as partners across campus. From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to CU Athletics, he has created a work environment that fosters collaboration and has strengthened the honoring of veterans.

Elliott has introduced resources such as in-house academic advising and a recognized veteran bridge program for STEM fields in addition to professional tutoring—all of which have improved student retention and performance. Beyond his formal duties, he actively mentors ROTC leadership, works with donors and plans successful fundraising events.

As shared in his nomination: “Stewart Elliott has truly been instrumental in developing one of the best veterans programs in the nation here at CU Boulder. Student veterans regularly tell staff in our office that they chose to attend CU based on the excellent reputation of the VMA office.”

Elliott's unwavering commitment and sense of purpose have made the VMA office a model program recognized for fostering inclusivity and excellence among student veterans and the broader CU community.

Sara McDonald

Sara McDonald serves as the senior director of operations in the School of Education. In her role, she has navigated multiple transitions; worked alongside numerous deans, faculty, staff and students but always with unwavering reliability.

McDonald is known for her deep institutional knowledge of the university and is considered a go-to resource for colleagues not only in the School of Education but across the broader campus. She seamlessly manages a wide range of responsibilities including technological support, building operations, event coordination and administrative oversight, but her contributions extend well beyond her formal responsibilities.

McDonald actively mentors staff and students, supports campus initiatives and creates a culture of community and belonging. During her tenure, she has helped to organize events like A Queer Endeavor; the Teacher of Color and Allies Summit; and the Children’s Book Festival to support educators, students and families. Through her everyday work, McDonald has earned the trust and respect of her colleagues.

One nominator shared the following: “Her work reflects the university’s mission, and priorities of campus success through resources, student-centeredness, supportive environments, sustainability and more. Sara leads with heart, humility, lived experiences and a deep understanding of how to navigate university.”

Dragan Mejic

Dragan Mejic is the instrument shop supervisor for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Mejic has played a key role in designing, repairing and improving experimental modules, and his precision welding and assembly skills are evident throughout his work on numerous laboratory projects. His machining skills have facilitated the creation of valuable research equipment and have directly impacted the success of student and faculty research.

By reviving such projects as the Engineering Excellent Fund (EEF) initiative, Mejic has helped to expand teaching capacity and foster an environment of hands-on learning. He leads with integrity and is relied upon by both students and faculty for his expertise and supportive nature.

Outside of his assigned duties, Mejic is deeply involved in advocating for state employees’ rights and benefits and volunteers with the Secure PERA coalition. As a volunteer, he works closely with lawmakers to improve and support legislation aimed at protecting the state pension system. He has testified on important bills, written op-eds and engaged directly with the PERA executive team to address concerns.

As one nominator wrote: “Colleagues across all levels know Dragan as reliable, approachable and unfailingly positive. He supports co-workers with good humor and humility, lifts department morale by solving problems without complaint, and has become a trusted partner for faculty, staff and students alike.”

Teresa De Jesus Torres

Teresa De Jesus Torres serves as a custodian in Housing Facilities Services (HFS). Torres is highly respected by her colleagues for her dedication, commitment and unwavering work ethic. She effectively manages her workload while remaining available to support her team and often volunteers to support other teams during staff shortages. She continually fosters an environment that is both positive and inclusive.

An active team player and leader, Torres listens, collaborates and resolves conflicts to keep her team productive and focused. She welcomes and trains new employees and works to make sure they feel integrated and heard while at CU Boulder. Her outstanding customer service is frequently recognized by students.

As one nominator wrote: “Teresa consistently leads by example. She is a role model to her peers and, not only do they listen to her feedback, they incorporate it into their daily tasks. Teresa’s reliability has become something our entire team depends on, and her hard work consistently results in outcomes that exceed expectations.”

Torres' leadership ensures all spaces are safe and welcoming for those who come to campus.

Stew Elliot, Sara McDonald, Dragan Mejic and Teresa De Jesus Torres are CU Boulder's employees of the year for 2025. Read about their inspirational contributions and leadership.

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Announcements & Deadlines

CU Boulder receives grant promoting collaboration, dialogue in higher education

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CU announces $2M investment in Center for African & African American Studies

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Announcing the 2026 Three Minute Thesis winners

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Radio 1190 shines from its new home

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Celebrate CU Boulder's 150th anniversary with ready‑to‑use digital assets

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Student awarded Churchill Scholarship—the 4th in CU Boulder history

What inspired you to pursue an academic career in STEM?

Long term, what do you hope to achieve with your research?

What are you looking forward to studying while at Cambridge?

Over the course of your academic career, you have been the recipient of several honors and achievements. What is the driving factor behind your success?

Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge in your achievement?

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Andrew Schwartz elected to American Law Institute

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150 years of transforming lives—CU Boulder's history comes to film

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Meet the newest employees of the year

Stew Elliott

Sara McDonald

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Teresa De Jesus Torres

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