Pushing Boundaries /today/ en How grad students are supporting Colorado's decarbonization goals /today/2026/03/06/how-grad-students-are-supporting-colorados-decarbonization-goals <span>How grad students are supporting Colorado's decarbonization goals</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-06T10:45:07-07:00" title="Friday, March 6, 2026 - 10:45">Fri, 03/06/2026 - 10:45</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/Mountain_Research_Station_0324PC.jpg?h=bfa41935&amp;itok=vNuO2zkZ" width="1200" height="800" alt="Researchers at the Mountain Research Station"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/914"> Sustainability </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>In fall 2025, three CU 抖阴传媒在线 graduate students presented their findings and recommendations to the <a href="https://www.cotransmissionauthority.com/" rel="nofollow">Colorado Electric Transmission Authority</a> (CETA) board. Their presentation focused on the role of long duration energy storage in maximizing transmission utilization, strengthening grid reliability, flexibility and resilience, and improving renewable integration. The work would go on to inform CETA's investment and policy decisions supporting clean energy across Colorado and the Western grid.</p><p>Simultaneously, in partnership with <a href="https://www.third-derivative.org/" rel="nofollow">Third Derivative</a>, a program of the <a href="https://rmi.org/" rel="nofollow">Rocky Mountain Institute</a>, a student team set out to understand how new low-carbon building technologies move from the lab into real-world application. Through more than 40 interviews with leaders from architecture, engineering and development firms, along with city staff and policy leaders, the team combined firsthand experience with data on building rules and markets to see where new ideas are most likely to take hold.&nbsp;</p><p>This work produced two new databases: one showing which U.S. cities and architecture, engineering and construction firms are most open to trying new technologies and another explaining how key decisions about buildings are made. Together, these tools create a practical guide for clearing common roadblocks. Third Derivative will use these findings to shape its building sector investment thesis and guide work across its portfolio of more than 250 startup companies.</p><p>Meanwhile, a third capstone team partnered with Denver鈥檚 <a href="https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Climate-Action-Sustainability-and-Resiliency" rel="nofollow">Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency</a> (CASR) office to address decarbonization challenges by translating climate goals into actionable strategies for neighborhood-scale electrification. The team has provided CASR with foundational research to support its electrification strategy under Colorado House Bill 24-1370, which aims to reduce reliance on the natural gas system.&nbsp;</p><p>Their work includes analyzing state-level policies, utility proceedings and existing electrification programs across the Denver metro area; creating neighborhood profiles for five potential pilot sites; distributing a resident survey that generated over 200 responses to assess awareness of and interest in electrification; and producing a comprehensive report summarizing deliverables, recommendations and supporting research.</p><p>What do the three projects have in common? They are all a part of the capstone program within CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 <a href="/menv/" rel="nofollow">Masters of the Environment</a> (MENV) program, and each contributes directly to Colorado鈥檚 decarbonization goals.</p><h2>Colorado鈥檚 push for 100% renewable energy</h2><p>Colorado has set one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in the United States: achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. Gov. Jared Polis鈥檚 decarbonization roadmap outlines strategies for reaching that target, including expanding green jobs, modernizing the Public Utilities Commission, electrifying transportation, and promoting energy efficiency and zero-emissions buildings鈥攁ll aimed at improving air quality, community health and the local economy.</p><p>Achieving these goals will require significant expansion of clean energy technologies, infrastructure and workforce, along with investments in climate solutions. CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 MENV program is playing a critical role in supporting this mission by training the next generation of renewable energy leaders and advancing decarbonization projects through hands-on projects and collaborations.</p><h2>Training the next generation of leaders</h2><p>MENV is a two-year professional graduate degree designed to prepare students for sustainability-focused careers. Students choose a specialization offered within the program to build expertise, with approximately 20鈥25 students entering each year in the renewable and sustainable energy (RSE) specialization and additional students declaring RSE as a dual specialization to complement their primary focus.</p><p>The rigorous RSE curriculum combines core courses, such as Energy Systems and Technologies and Sustainable Energy Policy, with electives including Renewable Energy Development and Project Finance; Energy Markets, Transactions, and Policy; and Microgrids and Distributed Energy Resources. Through collaboration with industry partners, MENV ensures the curriculum remains current and aligned with evolving workforce needs, equipping students with the technical, analytical and policy tools needed to tackle complex energy challenges.</p><p>Student Jim Hansley shared his experience in the RSE specialization:</p><blockquote><p>鈥淭he RSE specialization within the Masters of the Environment (MENV) program at CU 抖阴传媒在线 offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the clean energy transition. The curriculum spans energy systems, policy, markets, finance, buildings and emerging technologies, enabling students to see how technical, economic and regulatory forces interact to shape the future of energy. Courses are taught by practitioners and industry partners who bring current market realities into the classroom. Graduates leave with analytical depth and practical insight, prepared to engage complex energy challenges with practical perspective and meaningful impact.鈥</p></blockquote><p>Students also connect classroom learning to real-world applications through field trips, site visits and study abroad opportunities that allow students to see energy systems and technologies in action. For example, in 2024, a group of MENV students traveled to Japan to deepen their understanding of international energy and climate strategies through site visits to wind farms, wastewater treatment facilities and electric power plants, reinforcing the program鈥檚 emphasis on applied, globally informed sustainability leadership.</p><p>Josh Radoff, RSE specialization lead and director of campus climate action, sustainability and resilience, continues to keep the RSE curriculum up to date to ensure students have industry-relevant skills by the time they graduate. Recently, he connected his two campus roles by introducing a new 鈥渃ampus as a living laboratory鈥 course, which allows students to apply climate action planning, emissions analysis and sustainability solutions directly on CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 campus.</p><p>Radoff explains:&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>鈥淥ur goal at MENV, with our courses and with the capstone program, is to introduce people to the dynamic field of clean energy and decarbonization and to have students work on real-world applications, which ranges from techno-economic analysis on solar and battery storage, to policy analysis on urban thermal energy networks. The idea is that by becoming an energy and decarbonization subject matter expert, MENV students become equipped to take on a wide range of careers and project types.鈥</p></blockquote><h2>Capstones to careers</h2> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2026-03/Screenshot%202026-03-05%20at%208.21.56%E2%80%AFPM%20copy.png?itok=8QCGSP9C" width="750" height="621" alt="Annika Cederstrand, Casey Chabot and Kaylie Larson with capstone advisor Joshua Radoff"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Capstone team Annika Cederstrand, Casey Chabot and Kaylie Larson with capstone advisor Joshua Radoff</p> </span> </div> <p>A recent capstone highlight is the 2025 project by students Annika Cederstrand, Casey Chabot and Kaylie Larson, who partnered with OneEnergy Renewables under the leadership of capstone partner lead Mikkela Blanton of OneEnergy Renewables and Radoff, their capstone advisor.</p><p>Over an 11-month period, the team analyzed alternative interconnection pathways for renewable energy developers, focusing on reducing project costs and decreasing development timelines. The team delivered actionable recommendations for innovative development approaches and identified potential customers for OneEnergy鈥檚 outreach efforts, demonstrating tangible results for both the industry partners and Colorado鈥檚 clean energy transition.&nbsp;</p><p>Blanton shared:&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>鈥淭he capstone team exceeded my expectations, delivering innovative, data-driven work on interconnection pathways that will help our company explore new opportunities to accelerate decarbonization. Mentoring the students while gaining such high-quality results was incredibly rewarding.鈥</p></blockquote><p>Cederstrand, Chabot and Larson each aspire to build careers across different sectors of the clean energy industry, with a shared interest in driving scalable, real-world solutions. Through the capstone experience, they strengthened their skills in strategic and technical analysis, stakeholder engagement and decision-making, preparing them to step into leadership roles within the clean energy sector.&nbsp;</p><p>Following the project, Larson joined OneEnergy鈥檚 commercial strategy team, where she will play a key role in advancing solar development and accelerating the growth of clean energy across Colorado and beyond.</p><h2>Scaling impact</h2><p>Capstone 2026 (MENV's 10th year) just kicked off and features partnerships including the city of Moab, Invenergy, Leitner-Poma and returning partner OneEnergy Renewables鈥攐ffering students continued opportunities to tackle real-world decarbonization challenges.&nbsp;</p><p>As Colorado works toward its 2040 renewable energy goal, CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 MENV program continues to serve as a key resource for talent and expertise needed to drive impactful change across the state鈥檚 clean energy landscape. With 25 capstone projects planned for 2026, the program demonstrates that its efforts are far from finished, and MENV students are only just beginning their journey in driving impact in decarbonization across Colorado and beyond.</p><p>Among the 2026 capstone programs, MENV students will be working with Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030)鈥攁 movement of mountain, rural and ski resort communities working together to accelerate and scale systemic climate action. These students will help develop a community climate progress assessment tool to track municipal progress on emissions, renewable energy deployment, building decarbonization, sustainable transportation and waste diversion while engaging with local leaders, ski resorts and nonprofits to evaluate existing climate action plans. This project gives students hands-on experience in applying sustainability solutions to real communities, driving impact locally.</p><h2>Alumni driving change</h2><p>The MENV program develops future generations of sustainability leaders who actively contribute to Colorado鈥檚 clean energy transition across public and private sectors. Graduates now hold positions at organizations such as Scout Clean Energy, OneEnergy Renewables, Invenergy, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, where they support renewable energy development, policy implementation and climate solutions.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Masters of the Environment students are advancing Colorado's decarbonization goals through projects that support clean energy innovation, policy development and real-world climate solutions.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2026-03/Mountain_Research_Station_0324PC.jpg?itok=H5paeOzw" width="1500" height="994" alt="Researchers at the Mountain Research Station"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>The Mountain Research Station is an interdisciplinary facility of INSTAAR, providing research and educational opportunities for scientists, students and the general public. Photo by Patrick Campbell/CU 抖阴传媒在线.</p> </span> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>Researchers collecting samples at the Mountain Research Station, an interdisciplinary facility of INSTAAR, providing research and educational opportunities for scientists, students and the general public. Photo by Patrick Campbell/CU 抖阴传媒在线.</div> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:45:07 +0000 Megan M Rogers 56249 at /today CU librarian curates philosophy collection to elevate women's voices /today/2026/03/06/cu-librarian-curates-philosophy-collection-elevate-womens-voices <span>CU librarian curates philosophy collection to elevate women's voices</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-06T09:45:12-07:00" title="Friday, March 6, 2026 - 09:45">Fri, 03/06/2026 - 09:45</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/The%20Debate%20of%20Socrates%20and%20Aspasia%20thumbnail.jpg?h=7f08ec18&amp;itok=VHNhioB7" width="1200" height="800" alt="'The Debate of Socrates and Apasia' painting"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <span>Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>Who is remembered in philosophy? A University Libraries project asks anew.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Who is remembered in philosophy? A University Libraries project asks anew.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/asmagazine/2026/03/02/cu-librarian-curates-philosophy-collection-elevate-womens-voices`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:45:12 +0000 Megan M Rogers 56243 at /today Conducting space research as an undergrad /today/2026/01/27/conducting-space-research-undergrad <span>Conducting space research as an undergrad</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-01-27T10:18:13-07:00" title="Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 10:18">Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:18</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-01/processed-9BF705EF-F31F-40AC-A6E9-0585CB151F40.jpeg?h=5f90ba5b&amp;itok=XPafjTxL" width="1200" height="800" alt="Diana Hernandez with research poster presentation"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <a href="/today/ann-and-hj-smead-department-aerospace-engineering-sciences">Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>As a sophomore, Diana Hernandez is performing research using data from a sun-orbiting space probe. It's an impressive job for a student who only recently completed her first thermodynamics course.&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>As a sophomore, Diana Hernandez is performing research using data from a sun-orbiting space probe. It's an impressive job for a student who only recently completed her first thermodynamics course. </div> <script> window.location.href = `/aerospace/conducting-space-research-undergrad`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:18:13 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55981 at /today Coding with creativity: How ATLAS students think beyond algorithms /today/2026/01/27/coding-creativity-how-atlas-students-think-beyond-algorithms <span>Coding with creativity: How ATLAS students think beyond algorithms</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-01-27T08:56:51-07:00" title="Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 08:56">Tue, 01/27/2026 - 08:56</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-01/Coding%20with%20creativity%201.JPG?h=acc96d65&amp;itok=Sk7vjmaO" width="1200" height="800" alt="ATLAS student coding with AI"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <span>ATLAS Institute</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>The expectation? As part of the assignment, explore AI tools, as more and more companies require software engineers to use AI to some extent. But also: Understand the logic and learn to write your own code to discover what AI gets right, wrong, good, bad or mediocre.&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>The expectation? As part of the assignment, explore AI tools, as more and more companies require software engineers to use AI to some extent. But also: Understand the logic and learn to write your own code to discover what AI gets right, wrong, good, bad or mediocre. </div> <script> window.location.href = `/atlas/coding-creativity-how-atlas-students-think-beyond-algorithms`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:56:51 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55977 at /today Ventures putting people first at CU 抖阴传媒在线 /today/2025/12/16/ventures-putting-people-first-cu-boulder <span>Ventures putting people first at CU 抖阴传媒在线</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-16T08:25:35-07:00" title="Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 08:25">Tue, 12/16/2025 - 08:25</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/8Grade-0928.jpg?h=bc7a7fd7&amp;itok=CQcHBO4p" width="1200" height="800" alt="Students hear a presentation at an installation of Science on a Sphere"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>CU 抖阴传媒在线 actively incubates and supports nonprofit and for-profit ventures with broad societal impact, from far-reaching educational and wellness tools to vaccine accessibility and water security.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>CU 抖阴传媒在线 actively incubates and supports nonprofit and for-profit ventures with broad societal impact, from far-reaching educational and wellness tools to vaccine accessibility and water security.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/venturepartners/2025/12/16/internal-news/ventures-putting-people-first-cu-boulder`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:25:35 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55834 at /today A new beat: Transformed CU 抖阴传媒在线 percussion studio prepares musicians for every stage /today/2025/12/12/new-beat-transformed-cu-boulder-percussion-studio-prepares-musicians-every-stage <span>A new beat: Transformed CU 抖阴传媒在线 percussion studio prepares musicians for every stage</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-12T09:12:01-07:00" title="Friday, December 12, 2025 - 09:12">Fri, 12/12/2025 - 09:12</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/P1037463-Enhanced-NR.jpg?h=d13c9715&amp;itok=zqLgeR3O" width="1200" height="800" alt="CU 抖阴传媒在线 percussion studio in action"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <span>College of Music</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>Explore how the College of Music's percussion studio is taking bold steps forward with a revamped curriculum and a renewed focus on versatility, collaboration and joy in music making.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Explore how the College of Music's percussion studio is taking bold steps forward with a revamped curriculum and a renewed focus on versatility, collaboration and joy in music making.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/music/2025/12/04/new-beat-transformed-cu-boulder-percussion-studio-prepares-musicians-every-stage`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:12:01 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55820 at /today On Jane Goodall's legacy鈥攁 Q&A with Andrew Mayock /today/2025/11/13/jane-goodalls-legacy-qa-andrew-mayock <span>On Jane Goodall's legacy鈥攁 Q&amp;A with Andrew Mayock</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-11-13T14:15:01-07:00" title="Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 14:15">Thu, 11/13/2025 - 14:15</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/goodall.jpg?h=22d0129c&amp;itok=X0POne9C" width="1200" height="800" alt> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/914"> Sustainability </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div> <div class="align-right image_style-original_image_size"> <div class="imageMediaStyle original_image_size"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/goodall.jpg?itok=VSiWXEpG" width="480" height="320" alt> </div> </div> <p dir="ltr"><span>As CU 抖阴传媒在线 deepens its commitment to sustainability and climate action, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock brings a uniquely global perspective to campus. In addition to leading CU鈥檚 sustainability strategy, Mayock serves on the board of the Jane Goodall Institute, helping to carry forward the legacy of one of the world鈥檚 most influential environmental leaders.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Mayock recently returned from a board trip to Tanzania, where the board visited the Gombe Stream Research Centre, a living laboratory, home to the world鈥檚 most studied group of wild chimpanzees, and met with&nbsp;Roots &amp; Shoots students in Kigoma and Arusha.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>We spoke with him about what鈥檚 next for Goodall鈥檚 mission, how her philosophy aligns with CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 vision, and what it will take to inspire the next generation of changemakers.</span></p><h2><span>Goodall has inspired generations to care deeply about our planet. What鈥檚 next for her legacy? How is the institute evolving to meet today's global sustainability challenges?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Visiting Gombe, the birthplace of Jane鈥檚 groundbreaking research, was a profound reminder that her legacy began with careful observation, empathy, and a willingness to challenge convention.&nbsp;Jane was also passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Today, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is about&nbsp;maintaining Jane鈥檚 momentum and deepening her work and legacy by combining rigorous science with community-centered conservation. This means not only protecting chimpanzees and other species and their habitats but also empowering the people who live alongside them. JGI鈥檚 work in forest restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and youth engagement continues to exemplify the shift from conservation for people and wildlife to conservation with people and wildlife. Further, it is about continuing to expand&nbsp;Roots and Shoots, the youth leadersship program, started over thirty years ago.</span></p><h2><span>Goodall often emphasized hope and individual action as the foundation for change. How can large institutions like CU harness that same sense of agency?</span></h2> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-02/Headshot%204.jpeg?itok=9etn95s1" width="375" height="368" alt="Andrew Mayock"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock</p> </span> </div> <p dir="ltr"><span>Goodall鈥檚 message鈥攖hat every individual makes a difference鈥攖ranslates powerfully into the context of a university like CU 抖阴传媒在线. Large institutions can sometimes feel impersonal or slow to move, yet they are made up of individuals whose daily choices shape culture and impact.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>At CU 抖阴传媒在线, we鈥檙e working to embed agency into every level of sustainability engagement. That means creating pathways for personal connection鈥攖hrough participatory climate planning, faculty-led research that responds to community needs, and student projects that turn ideas into action. By linking global challenges to local solutions and celebrating visible progress, we nurture the same sense of purpose and hope that Jane has inspired in millions around the world.</span></p><h2><span>The Roots &amp; Shoots movement empowered young people to take action in their communities. What can universities do to cultivate that same spirit of curiosity, compassion and commitment?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Meeting Roots &amp; Shoots students in Tanzania reminded me that curiosity, compassion and community are universal, and essential, for sustainable change. Universities can cultivate this spirit by reimagining education not as a transmission of knowledge but as a co-creation of solutions.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Programs that integrate experiential learning, civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration are key. When students see that their actions鈥攚hether restoring a local ecosystem, addressing food insecurity or developing new climate technologies鈥攃an tangibly improve their community, they experience the same transformative spark that Jane ignited in her young changemakers.&nbsp;</span></p><h2><span>How can institutions balance the personal call to action with the systemic change required at the scale of higher education or government?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Jane recognized that stories move hearts, and data moves minds. Institutions need both. At CU 抖阴传媒在线, we鈥檙e learning that systemic change, whether achieving carbon neutrality or embedding sustainability into the curriculum, relies on connecting the personal to the structural.</span></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-outline ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p class="lead hero"><i class="fa-solid fa-newspaper">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;Related: <a href="/today/node/55626" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow">Remembering Jane Goodall's vision for the future</a></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>By elevating personal narratives of action and aligning them with institutional goals, we humanize the systems we seek to transform. A student鈥檚 composting project, a researcher鈥檚 breakthrough in renewable energy or a staff member鈥檚 innovative waste solution鈥攅ach story becomes part of a collective movement toward systemic transformation.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The balance lies in recognizing that systemic change starts with individual conviction, and individual conviction is sustained by belonging to something larger than oneself. That鈥檚 the essence of Jane鈥檚 message, and the opportunity before all of us.</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>In addition to leading CU's sustainability strategy, Vice Chancellor of Sustainability Andrew Mayock serves on the board of the Jane Goodall Institute, helping to carry forward the legacy of one of the world's most influential environmental leaders. </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:15:01 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55665 at /today Students, librarians create smarter sustainable materials library /today/2025/11/11/students-librarians-create-smarter-sustainable-materials-library <span>Students, librarians create smarter sustainable materials library</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-11-11T08:03:50-07:00" title="Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - 08:03">Tue, 11/11/2025 - 08:03</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-10/2018-09-09%20-%20norlin101%20Norlin%20Library%20%281%29.jpg?h=2992ba0a&amp;itok=9la0Ux0l" width="1200" height="800" alt="columns at Norlin Library"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>The University Libraries partnered with faculty and students in the Environmental Design program to build a better materials library focused on sustainable design. By contributing their expertise, librarians helped students create a resource that supports hands-on learning and future-forward design practices.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>The University Libraries partnered with faculty and students in the Environmental Design program to build a better materials library focused on sustainable design. By contributing their expertise, librarians helped students create a resource that supports hands-on learning and future-forward design practices.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://libraries.colorado.edu/2025/11/10/environmental-design-students-and-librarians-create-smarter-sustainable-materials`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:03:50 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55646 at /today CU 抖阴传媒在线's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact /today/2025/10/31/cu-boulders-center-leadership-celebrates-50-years-impact <span>CU 抖阴传媒在线's Center for Leadership celebrates 50 years of impact</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-31T13:41:29-06:00" title="Friday, October 31, 2025 - 13:41">Fri, 10/31/2025 - 13:41</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-10/Stefanie%20Johnson%20hosting%20panel%20at%202024_Chancellor_Summit.jpg?h=e6f70809&amp;itok=Mt8Me5yu" width="1200" height="800" alt="Stefanie Johnson hosting a panel discussion at the 2024 Chancellor's Summit"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p dir="ltr"><span>More than 50 years ago, CU 抖阴传媒在线 planted a bold idea: that leadership isn鈥檛 reserved for a select few鈥攊t lives within us all. What started with the formation of the </span><a href="/plc/" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span>Presidents Leadership Class</span></a><span> in 1972 grew into the </span><a href="/lead/" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span>Center for Leadership</span></a><span> (CFL), established in 2020. Today, CFL supports a vibrant leadership ecosystem on campus and empowers thousands of students to lead with purpose and authenticity.</span></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-outline ucb-box-theme-darkgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><div><div><p class="hero"><strong>Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series</strong></p></div></div><p>Join a talk with the acclaimed producer and Madison Wells CEO Gigi Pritzker, who will delve into the transformative power of bold storytelling鈥攈ighlighting how film, television and theater can drive cultural impact, amplify underrepresented voices and inspire meaningful change.&nbsp;</p><p><i class="fa-solid fa-calendar-days ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;Monday, Nov. 17</strong><br><i class="fa-solid fa-clock ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;7:30 p.m.</strong><br><i class="fa-solid fa-location-dot ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;Macky Auditorium</strong><br><i class="fa-solid fa-user-group ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;Open to the public</strong><br><i class="fa-solid fa-ticket ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;$3鈥$20</strong></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>In just five years, CFL has experienced powerful growth, starting with 19 affiliate programs across campus to 45, now reaching more than 12,000 students each year. But it鈥檚 not just about numbers鈥攊t鈥檚 about transformation. CFL鈥檚 campuswide model blends research, hands-on learning and a deep commitment to equity, ensuring leadership development is accessible to students of every major, background and identity.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The results speak volumes. CFL鈥檚 mentorship scores consistently exceed national benchmarks, and students report significant gains in leader identity and self-efficacy. And, for the last two years, CU 抖阴传媒在线 has earned a spot on&nbsp;Time Magazine鈥檚 list of&nbsp;鈥淭op 100 Colleges for Future Leaders.鈥</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>CFL also brings leadership to life through signature events such as the </span><a href="/lead/events/leo-hill-leadership-speaker-series" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span>Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series</span></a><span>, which will host </span><a href="/today/node/55448" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span>Emmy award-winning film producer Gigi Pritzker</span></a><span> on Nov. 17, and the Conference on World Affairs, where global changemakers鈥攖hink Cynthia Erivo and David Brooks鈥攕hare their stories and inspire the next generation of Buffs.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Now, as CFL celebrates its fifth anniversary, it鈥檚 also looking back. A new history report,&nbsp;鈥</span><a href="/lead/media/1742" rel="nofollow"><span>A Legacy Realized: The Making of CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 Center for Leadership</span></a><span>,鈥 traces the university鈥檚 long-standing commitment to leadership education鈥攆rom early civic engagement efforts to today鈥檚 nationally recognized programs.&nbsp;</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero" dir="ltr"><span><strong>5 questions with Stefanie Johnson</strong></span></p> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-10/Stefanie%20Johnson.jpeg?itok=yEY1VHck" width="750" height="500" alt="Stefanie Johnson"> </div> </div> <p dir="ltr"><span>Stefanie Johnson, director of the Center for Leadership and professor at Leeds School of Business, reflects on the center鈥檚 journey and its vision for 2030鈥攖hat humans who are interested in leadership will come to see 抖阴传媒在线 as the place where leaders are made.</span></p><h2><span>What does the 5-year milestone mean for the center?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Five years is a big milestone鈥攊t鈥檚 both a celebration and a chance to reflect. When the Center for Leadership launched in 2020, Chancellor Philip DiStefano had a bold vision: to shape tomorrow鈥檚 leaders by bringing CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 many leadership efforts together under one coordinated, research-driven hub.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Fast forward to today, and that vision has truly come to life. The center now connects&nbsp;</span><a href="/lead/leadership-community/campus-affiliates" rel="nofollow"><span>45 affiliate programs</span></a><span> across every college; leads signature initiatives like the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series, the Emerging Leaders Academy and the Newton Fellows Program; and has become a national model for how a public university can scale leadership education.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>This milestone shows that leadership isn鈥檛 just an add-on at CU 抖阴传媒在线 anymore鈥攊t鈥檚 part of our institutional DNA.</span></p><h2><span>How do you define success for the center?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>For us, success isn鈥檛 just about how many programs or events we run鈥攊t鈥檚 really about impact and identity. We look at success through four lenses.</span></p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-medium"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><h2><span>Are leaders born or made?&nbsp;</span></h2><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left fa-3x ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;<span>Our research shows that about 30% of leadership is genetic鈥攜our intelligence, extraversion, height and things like that. But 70% of leadership is learned. The Center for Leadership uses evidence-based practices to ensure students are learning leadership while they are Buffs.鈥</span></p></div></div><ul><li><span><strong>Access:&nbsp;</strong>Every CU student should have a way into leadership development, no matter their major or background.</span></li><li><span><strong>Depth:</strong>&nbsp;Our programs combine theory, research and hands-on practice鈥攚hether that鈥檚 coaching, outdoor leadership intensives or civic engagement projects.</span></li><li><span><strong>Community:&nbsp;</strong>We鈥檝e built an ecosystem where faculty, staff, alumni and community partners mentor and learn alongside students.</span></li><li><span><strong>Evidence:</strong>&nbsp;Through rigorous evaluation and data, we can show how leadership education boosts student success, well-being and civic engagement.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span>At the end of the day, if students leave CU 抖阴传媒在线 seeing themselves as leaders鈥攔eady to act with integrity, creativity and care鈥攖hat鈥檚 when we know we鈥檝e succeeded.</span></p><h2><span>How does the center ensure every student can access leadership opportunities?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Accessibility is really at the heart of our model. Instead of creating one selective program, we built a network of leadership opportunities that meets students where they are.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Through our Affiliate Leadership Network, we coordinate with 45 programs鈥攅verything from academic minors and ROTC to athletics, student affairs initiatives and community-based leadership experiences鈥攕o students can choose the format that fits them best.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>We鈥檝e also introduced low-barrier entry points like the Emerging Leadership Academy, which is open to all students, and our 抖阴传媒在线-CU Leadership Program mentoring initiative. By uniting programs, removing financial barriers and creating multiple on-ramps鈥攆rom micro-credentials to fellowships鈥攚e make sure leadership education at CU 抖阴传媒在线 is for everyone, not just the already-involved few.</span></p><h2><span>What role does the center play in CU 抖阴传媒在线's vision of transforming lives to create a sustainable world?</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>We see leadership as the bridge between learning and lasting impact. The center helps turn CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 world-class teaching and research into ethical, sustainable action.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Our students don鈥檛 just study climate or innovation鈥攖hey lead projects that make those values real: reducing waste in 抖阴传媒在线, improving mental-health access, planting trees, mentoring youth and launching civic-impact challenges.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>We teach students to lead with self-awareness, social responsibility and a systems mindset. For us, sustainability isn鈥檛 just environmental鈥攊t鈥檚 human and organizational. It鈥檚 about sustaining communities, workplaces and democracy itself.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>That鈥檚 why we believe leadership development is CU 抖阴传媒在线鈥檚 most powerful tool for transforming lives and shaping a just, sustainable world.</span></p><h2><span>What advice do you have for students who want to get involved?</span></h2><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-outline ucb-box-theme-darkgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p class="hero"><strong>For faculty, staff</strong></p><p><span>A-Lab (Affiliate-Lab) is a three-year-long development and grant opportunity for CFL affiliate programs. A-Lab supports affiliate&nbsp;staff and faculty in advancing their programming, generating elevated leadership education across CU 抖阴传媒在线.&nbsp;</span><a href="/lead/our-programs/lab" rel="nofollow"><span>Learn more.</span></a></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>My advice? Start anywhere鈥攂ut start. Leadership is within us all. If you鈥檙e curious about leadership, there are so many ways to jump in. Join the&nbsp;</span><a href="/lead/our-programs/emerging-leadership-academy" rel="nofollow"><span>Emerging Leaders Academy</span></a><span>, which happens once a month, or sign up for mentoring or take LEAD 1000, the first course in the&nbsp;</span><a href="/lsm/" rel="nofollow"><span>leadership studies minor</span></a><span>.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>You can also check out the&nbsp;</span><a href="/lead/events/leo-hill-leadership-speaker-series" rel="nofollow"><span>Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series</span></a><span>. This fall, we鈥檙e thrilled to host film producer Gigi Pritzker. And the week before, on Nov. 6, we鈥檙e screening her Emmy-nominated film&nbsp;"Nonnas"鈥攊t鈥檚 a great way to connect with other students who geek out about learning how to lead.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Leadership isn鈥檛 about a title鈥攊t鈥檚 about showing up with courage, curiosity and purpose. Every student at CU 抖阴传媒在线 has the capacity to lead. We鈥檙e here to help you discover how.</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>More than 50 years ago, CU 抖阴传媒在线 planted a bold idea鈥攖hat leadership isn't reserved for a select few. What started with the formation of the Presidents Leadership Class in 1972 grew into the Center for Leadership, established in 2020. Today, the center empowers thousands of students to lead with purpose and authenticity.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Zebra Striped</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-10/Stefanie%20Johnson%20hosting%20panel%20at%202024_Chancellor_Summit.jpg?itok=2y1a-qqz" width="1500" height="1000" alt="Stefanie Johnson hosting a panel discussion at the 2024 Chancellor's Summit"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:41:29 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55581 at /today NSF I-Corps at CU 抖阴传媒在线 helps researchers solve pressing problems /today/2025/10/21/nsf-i-corps-cu-boulder-helps-researchers-solve-pressing-problems <span>NSF I-Corps at CU 抖阴传媒在线 helps researchers solve pressing problems</span> <span><span>Megan M Rogers</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-21T08:36:14-06:00" title="Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - 08:36">Tue, 10/21/2025 - 08:36</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/today/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-10/Image%20%2818%29.jpeg?h=4f2cdec7&amp;itok=ZP8adwwQ" width="1200" height="800" alt="NSF I-Corps group photo"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/today/taxonomy/term/928"> Pushing Boundaries </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p>From agriculture to aerospace, the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program is a launchpad on campus, helping innovators in and out of CU bring research and inventions to the people who need them most.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>From agriculture to aerospace, the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program is a launchpad on campus, helping innovators in and out of CU bring research and inventions to the people who need them most.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/venturepartners/2025/10/16/internal-news/nsf-i-corps-university-colorado-boulder-helps-researchers-solve-pressing-problems`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:36:14 +0000 Megan M Rogers 55495 at /today