On Feb. 8, the Clarion’s Editor in Chief Connor W. Davis interviewed Chancellor Chopp, discussing the future of DU and how DU’s major strategic plan, Impact 2025, would revolutionize learning and living at DU.
Developed from Imagine DU, a bold and auspicious plan to ensure DU remains competitive in the 21st century, Impact 2025 sets well developed and attainable goals for creating a more modern DU. Moving forward, students should see rapid and positive change at DU, making the educational experience more beneficial for current and future students.
In the Clarion exclusive interview with Chopp, the Chancellor outlined major priorities of Impact 2025 which is the main focus for the administration and should be implemented in the next couple of quarters.
One of the administration’s main priorities is ensuring financial aid increases to meet the financial demand of students, from the undergraduate to the professional level. According to the DU Impact 2025 report, focus needs to be placed on meeting the full financial needs of undergraduate students, continuing to focus funding for scholarship programs such as Global Leaders in Business or DU Scholars in STEM and ensuring the increasing amount of aid incentivizes socioeconomically and geographically diverse students to attend DU.
The administration places a huge emphasis on increasing financial aid, and rightfully so. Current undergraduate students, without the burden of college debt and loans, can invest in further education at graduate school, making them more competitive in the global marketplace. With competitive financial aid packages, DU will be able to recruit and retain the leaders of tomorrow.
In addition to reducing debt for students, DU seeks to maximize students’ competitiveness in the workplace and increase their future salaries through student development. On-campus, building “knowledge bridges” will allow students to connect faculty members from different departments to create well-rounded students. Off-campus, Impact 2025 seeks to increase opportunities in the Denver community for students to gain internships and other off-campus experiences. Experience, inside and outside the classroom, is critical in building better students in school and better innovators and leaders after graduation. These initiatives are what will set DU apart from other universities across the country.
Lastly, one of the most intriguing parts of Impact 2025 is the creation of the “DU District,” which aims to develop retail shops and affordable, sustainable housing for students. In addition, renovations to the Driscoll Student Center are promised to create a more inclusive and welcoming spot for students to study and relax. Increasing the livability of campus will ensure greater community engagement, attract more students to DU and increase general happiness of the student body.
Impact 2025 ensures that DU is ready for the 21st century. Its development from Imagine DU has been promising and it has set lofty, yet attainable and relevant goals to make DU better for current and future students.
In winter and spring quarters of this year, students should begin to see an increase of information and updates about these initiatives and they should not be disappointed with the results. Chancellor Chopp has begun to modernize and improve our campus for the better and in doing so will ensure students are prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.
