When Alexes Hernandez moved from New Mexico to Colorado Springs, college was the plan. She didn’t expect to also become a business owner with a growing online following. But with support from UCCS entrepreneurship resources, her product now reaches thousands across TikTok and Instagram. Hernandez’s story is part of the recently published CU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Impact Report for 2024-25. Alongside facts and figures demonstrating the power of CU’s innovation engine, the report features several profiles of student entrepreneurs across the four campuses.
CU students shouldn’t have to face this painful question: Can I afford to eat today? Interruptions to SNAP benefits, depleted food banks and other intensified needs during the holiday season have increased the strain on many students. To help, CU’s donors and leadership are stepping up to support food pantries and other essential-needs programs on all four campuses — including generous matches by the CU system, its campuses and the CU Foundation.
Seven educators at the University of Colorado are being added to the roster of Distinguished Professors, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the four-campus system: Kristen Carpenter, J.D.; Russell Cropanzano, Ph.D.; Marcia Douglas, Ph.D.; Noah Finkelstein, Ph.D.; Karl Linden, Ph.D.; Jade Morton, Ph.D.; and Marc Moss, M.D.
The University of Colorado system generated $12.2 billion in economic impact across Colorado last year, highlighting CU’s growing role in the state’s economy through education, research, innovation and health care, according to a new economic study. This is growth of more than half a billion dollars over 2024.
Innovation and entrepreneurship leaders from UCCS and the CU system recently traveled to Palo Alto, California, to visit Stanford University’s famous Design School (d.school), exploring the ways it approaches teaching and learning. “The CU system is recognized as one of the leading hubs for innovation in the world,” said Benjamin Kwitek, Ph.D., director of innovation and co-founder of C3 Innovation at UCCS. “We need to make sure we continue to learn from the best to increase our edge and fuel the economic vitality of Colorado and beyond.”
Curiosity serves Robi Calderaro well in her role as lead technical developer on the Employee Learning and Development team. A member of Employee Services at CU system administration, she works to make online courses accessible, user-friendly and aligned with style guidelines and best practices. Two colleagues nominated Calderaro for the President’s Employee of the Year Award, which is offered through the System Staff Council (SSC) in collaboration with the Office of the President. Last month, President Todd Saliman announced Calderaro as recipient of this year’s award, the highest staff honor at system administration.