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Office of the Chancellor
Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD
Ken Christensen
Chancellor of University of Colorado Denver
I am honored to serve as chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver. As the state’s premier public urban research institution, we lead by meeting our public service mission: to make education work for all.
To deliver on that promise, we invest in our students’ future at every stage, from traditional students to adult learners. Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó for improving students’ social mobility, a distinction we’ve earned by pairing classroom fundamentals with real-world experience. We are bold about our intentions. Our drive to maximize student outcomes fuels everything we do.
As we evolve, we will deepen our partnerships with our industry and community partners to ensure that our experiential learning opportunities and degrees expand opportunity, develop an engaged citizenry, and ensure workforce relevance.
Among Colorado’s public institutions, Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó stands alone as the only university that is as well as producing graduates who average more than . With this unique combination, inclusive of our standing as a , we are well positioned to help shape the future of our city and region as we work to earn the public’s trust as Denver’s anchor institution of higher education.
The value of a Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó degree is clear. We fuel economic mobility for our learners and their communities, strengthen talent pipelines, and generate innovative research and ideas in our classrooms, labs, and creative spaces.
If you’re already a member of our community, thank you for helping us empower every student to meet their moment. If you’re considering joining us as a student, faculty, staff member, or community partner, I invite you to connect with us and discover how we are expanding access and driving innovation.
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Our Priorities in Action
Strategic Initiatives at a Glance
Career Readiness
Our learners, from high schoolers to retirees, count on us to prepare them for what is next. Doing so requires an approach that reflects evolving student expectations. That’s why our academic programs must be outcome-driven and grounded in critical inquiry, equipping our students with the requisite skills and experiential learning opportunities needed to maximize successful entry into the workforce upon graduation.
Community Engagement
As the city’s premier public urban research institution, it is our social imperative to contribute to the prosperity, growth, and mobility of the people and communities we serve. Serving the public is not only our mission—it is our identity. This not only includes uplifting the Denver metropolitan area and state of Colorado, but also our partners in industry, nonprofit organizations, and government. We must rally behind our communities, acknowledging the collective strength of their diverse backgrounds and experiences, if we are to make education work for all.
Economic Impact
A Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó credential (degree, certificate, or microcredential) is more than just a qualification—it’s a catalyst for social mobility and generational change. Our students’ success meets industry needs, fosters the vibrancy of our local communities, and sustains economic growth. We take pride in the accessibility of our institution and the economic mobility we enable as we work alongside our industry partners to unleash innovation across Denver and Colorado. As a university with a $771 million annual economic impact, our faculty, staff, and students power the engine that drives us forward.
Guided by Community
Meet the Leaders Behind Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó’s Vision
Meet the team working to support students, create opportunity, and shape Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó with clarity and collaboration.
Meet Senior Leadership
From the Chancellor’s Desk
Messages and Campus Updates
Catch up on the latest from the Chancellor, including new leadership announcements, important updates, and reflections on what’s happening around campus.
Explore Chancellor Communications
Reaching New Heights
Ö÷²¥ÓÕ»ó Highlights
Invite the Chancellor
Request the Chancellor at Your Event
Submit a Scheduling Request
