College of Business Students,

The past month has brought a dramatic shift in our work, study, and living environments. This certainly is not how we expected the end of our semester to look. You have shown incredible resiliency during this difficult time and we are so proud you. We are thankful for your patience and understanding as your professors transitioned to new teaching environments. You have been flexible, adaptable, compassionate, and strong. You have been excellent examples of what it means to be a Mountain Lion.

I want to remind you that while we are adapting to a new “normal”, these circumstances we are living in are anything but normal. It is okay to feel overwhelmed, worried, or stressed. Regardless of how you feel during this remote learning period, please know that we are here to help. We have developed several remote resources to support your online learning experience, which can be accessed here.

Our current challenges are not keeping the College of Business from moving forward. In late February, we welcomed our Peer Review Team on behalf of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) to campus for our five-year reaccreditation visit. We received news last week that they have extended our accreditation for another five years, maintaining our status as one of the world’s top business schools. We are proud to have earned this distinction for over 30 years, and now more than ever, it is essential that we uphold the AACSB standards of engagement, innovation, and impact.

The College of Business also continues to expand its programming. This month, the CU Board of Regents voted and approved the state’s first Executive Doctor of Business Administration in Cybersecurity Management. This is the first doctoral program offered by the College of Business and we are delighted to provide executive-level education in such a high-demand discipline. If you are interested in learning more about the Executive DBA, please click here.

In addition to our new MBA emphases in Sport Management and Cybersecurity Management, we have also been approved for two graduate certificates in these focus areas. We will also be offering a new undergraduate certificate in Cybersecurity Management. These certificates will allow aspiring, transitioning, or developing professionals to advance their career in their desired industry.

As Interim Dean, one of the events I look forward to most is Commencement. This year’s graduation ceremony will not be what our seniors expected, but it in no way diminishes their accomplishments. The Class of 2020 has faced overwhelming challenges this semester to achieve their degree and while we won’t be celebrating in person, we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them virtually. Please join us in wishing the Class of 2020 congratulations on our UCCS Kudo Board or by attending our Virtual Commencement Ceremony.

These are challenging times, but we will continue to serve you, our students, and keep your safety our top priority. For current updates on UCCS’ response to COVID-19, please go to https://covid19.uccs.edu/.

Best Regards,

 Eric M. Olson, Ph.D.,

Interim Dean, UCCS College of Business