The Dwire Inquirer - December 2020

Photo of Pikes Peak from UCCS campus

Dear Friends of the College of Business,

As we close on the year and prepare to celebrate the Class of 2020, we reflect on an eventful, and oftentimes unconventional, year at UCCS. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the incredible efforts of our faculty, staff and students as they weathered another semester of change and transition. This semester came with its challenges, but it also provided new opportunities.

Our remote environments helped us stay connected in new and innovative ways. We welcomed alumni and friends from across the U.S. to join us for annual events and competitions, class discussions and meetings. Students benefited from diverse industry perspectives and learned about career opportunities throughout the country. Many traditionally in-person events were able to reach broader audiences and we felt the scope of impact on a much larger scale.

What we missed most of all this past year was the connection to our peers. But what we lacked in face-to-face interaction, we made up for in support and compassion. Our community came together to help local businesses navigate the challenges surrounding COVID-19. The College of Business offered educational resources, business insights and virtual one-on-one meetings for businesses in the region. The 24th Annual UCCS Economic Forum combined with the Pikes Peak State of Small Business for a timely and informative discussion about the economic impact of COVID-19 in a free virtual event.

We also celebrated several major milestones this semester. Dr. Robert Block and Dr. Gurvirender Tejay were recently inducted into the $5 Million Dollar Club. Only five other UCCS faculty have been inducted into this exclusive club for sponsored research funding at UCCS. Collectively, Dr. Block and Dr. Tejay have secured nearly $10 million in grant funding to launch our new Colorado Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program (C-CAP) and the NSA Cybersecurity Faculty Development Program.

The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS College of Business continues to deliver principle-based ethics education to students, educators and the business community. In addition to the Ethics Fellows and Ethics Champions programs, the DFEI Collegiate Program launched the Student Ethics Ambassadors Program. Students across UCCS are now able to pursue principle-based ethics projects with a paired Ethics Fellow to engage in ethics opportunities, gain program-based work experience and develop valuable leadership skills.

The Class of 2020 includes the first cohort of students to pass successfully through the R.O.A.R. Program. These graduating seniors are now equipped with the education, skills, training and mentorship to successfully transition into the workforce after graduation. We are rooting for them as they take the next step in their professional careers.

Tomorrow, we will participate in a virtual celebration to recognize the Class of 2020. Earning a degree is a tremendous achievement and we are so proud of our business graduates for their resiliency as they completed their final semester at UCCS. While we would have preferred to celebrate their accomplishments in person, we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them virtually. The virtual ceremony will begin Friday, December 18th at 1pm on YouTube Live, followed by our college-specific ceremony. For more information, please visit commencement.uccs.edu

It has been an honor to serve my first full academic semester as dean of the College of Business and I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Warmest Regards,

Karen S. Markel, Dean of the UCCS College of Business signature

Karen S. Markel, Ph.D.,

Dean, UCCS College of Business

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