Dear Alumni,

A year ago, I wrote to you to share the results of our work to restate and reaffirm our university values and establish our vision for the future. This work was the foundation for a strategic planning process to establish the framework for expressing our values and achieving our vision. We completed our work this fall, and I invite you to read the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan online. Our strategic plan, titled Transforming Lives: Advancing Inclusive Excellence and Social Mobility, is the result of a deliberative approach, intense collaboration, and a dedication to mapping a future that represents a shared vision that will turn our values into action and result in transformation for our students and our community. I look forward to sharing the results of our work with you over the next four years.

One marker of the transformation Metro State students experience is a principle called social mobility. You may have read about Metro State’s success in elevating students from low-income strata into the middle class five years after graduation. Metro State is in the top 3% in the CollegeNET Social mobility rankings for improving the economic circumstances of our alumni within the first five years of graduation. On its face, this statistic is significant evidence that the work we have been doing for more than fifty years is essential. In the context of the documented economic disparity in our state—it is evidence that Metro State is a critical partner in economic development and prosperity that serves us all.

Behind these impressive statistics, the heart of the story is you, our alumni. As university president, I can quote all the statistics and metrics of our success, but what excites me are the alumni stories that illustrate our impact. I know there are thousands of ways Metro State graduates have helped to create a better community. In this issue of buzz, I am delighted to share just a few examples of how our alumni working for nonprofit organizations are using the skills and confidence they developed at Metro State to create a better community where we can all thrive.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the current uncertainty affecting higher education. Truly, it is a challenging time. I want to reassure you that we have a clear sense of mission, vision, and purpose; we know who we are as a university, and we have the data to support our significance. I am proud of the way we work together to make the world a better place. We have alumni partners who make a difference for others, and with your help and support, we will move through each challenge with a commitment to serve students well into the future.

Sincerely,

Virginia “Ginny” Arthur, JD
President