Each week, Communique will be highlighting a series of campus wins, accomplishments and accolades. Please explore the list below to check out what other teams are up to, and help celebrate their good work!
Have something to add? Please reach out to University Communications with your submission!
College of Public Service
Student Congratulations
White Receives Third CSC Academic All-District Nod
Master of Criminal Justice student Maison White has been selected for the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women’s Basketball First Team. Maison is a strong student who also excels on the court. Congratulations, Maison!
Faculty Congratulations
Congratulations to Dan Olson, Associate Teaching Professor of Criminal Justice, this year’s Student Government Association’s Students’ Choice Award for Faculty Member of Year! Nominations were gathered from students and then voted on by a Student Government Award Committee. Mr. Olson will be recognized at the UCCS Award Ceremony in April. What a well-deserved honor!
Faculty Expertise in the News
Patrick Brady shared his expertise with news reporters to help inform the public on a local robbery case. Great job extending the classroom!
Annual McConkie Leadership Conference
The annual McConkie Leadership Conference honors the late Public Administration Professor Mark McConkie who conducted a leader development event for those in the public sector for over two decades. The conference has grown to become the premier leader development event of the Pikes Peak Region.
The Public Safety Initiative in the College of Public Service hosts the 2025 event at Phil Long Music Hall at Bourbon Brothers on April 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This year’s focus is on extreme ownership leadership inspired by Willink and Babin’s “Extreme Ownership: How Navy Seals Lead and Win,” led by Jason Gardner. Kicking off the conference will be U.S. Congressman Jeff Crank and Tina Rowe will touch on supervision, management, and communication. Click here for more information or to register.
SGA Elections
Many new SGA Senators have been elected! The Legislative Branch will choose the Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore in August at the SGA Retreat.
Student Well-Being
The American College Health Association (ACHA) – National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was administered to students March 1-21. 1,384 undergraduate and graduate students completed the survey – this is 14% of all actively enrolled, degree seeking, in-person students. The cost of the survey and gift card prize incentives were covered by a grant from the Coalition of Colorado Campus Alcohol and Drug Educators (CADE). Data from the NCHA will be used to assess current student needs and improve services and programs to enhance student wellbeing and success. We will also be able to compare our data with past years as well as data from other campuses in Colorado and across the country.
Campus Police/Department of Public Safety/Emergency Management
Individual Congratulations
Officer D’Mellow completed the “Red Dot” Handgun Instructor Five-day Course and is now certified as our agency instructor.
Congratulations to Corporal Michael Schaller, who was promoted to Lieutenant, effective April 1.
Matthew McGrath automated the process for delivering, reviewing, and approving required permit requests for designated activities (special events, open flame, artificial smoke or haze, hot work, and simulated weapon permits). The innovation streamlines interaction between Public Safety, Event Services, Facility Services, and Performing Arts, and includes automatic email and permit generation, keeping all informed as to the status of permit requests. Matthew was recently recognized by CU System for this innovation!
Team Accomplishments
All officers completed the CLERY refresher training presented by Melanie Strescino. Dispatchers are also going through the training in the next couple of weeks.
Facilities and Planning, Design, and Construction
Individual Congratulations
After a power outage Saturday, Lenny Ortman was able to restore power and network communication to AOB prior to staff/students returning Monday morning. Lenny Ortman has also identified IT security concerns with how vendors have been accessing our network to work on the building automation system. He worked with OIT and the affected vendors to change their work process to comply with our IT access control protocols.
Team Accomplishments
The La Plata elevator rope replacement project is complete. Campus tree trimming was completed last week, and the roof tile repair and replacement project in Summit Village is finished. The contractor replaced 137 broken roof tiles and repaired some broken purlins.
Human Resources
New ADA training is in beta format and is being tested with HR and the accessibility committee.
Our systemwide Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP) graduation is this Friday, and four new ELP members will be added to the alumni list! Congratulations, leaders!