Academics

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging

Chloe Fischer — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 19:18:09 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� postdoc awarded $600K grant to study social bonds, brain aging Chloe Fischer Wed, 09/09/2026 - 13:18

Michael Kelberman has received a Simons Foundation Fellows-to-Faculty Award, which supports early-career scientists as they transition from postdoctoral research to independent faculty positions.

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What are office hours? Here's why you should go

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:05:46 +0000

What are office hours? Here's why you should go Megan M Rogers Fri, 08/28/2026 - 11:05

Meeting with your professor early in the semester can help you feel more confident, understand class expectations and make it easier to ask questions later. Here's how to make the most of office hours.

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Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:24:26 +0000

Entrepreneurship Center for Music expands leadership series, artist programming Megan M Rogers Mon, 08/24/2026 - 11:24

The College of Music Entrepreneurship Center for Music will expand its student programming this year with several key grants from across campus.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:39:39 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/20/2026 - 08:39

Alice Reznickova, Masters of the Environment capstone lead and associate teaching professor, speaks during the National Sustainability Society conference awards ceremony. To the right of the podium are Natalie Ooi, MENV director and teaching professor; Laura George, MENV career and professional development program manager; and Myles Maland, director of department administration in the Department of Environmental Studies.

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s Masters of the Environment (MENV) capstone program has been named a recipient of the Innovations in Sustainability Education Award by the National Sustainability Society at their third annual conference. The national award recognizes outstanding innovations in degree programs that prepare and empower learners to be agents of transformative change through inclusive, systems-oriented and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

This year's conference theme—courage, credibility and collective action—reflects values that sit at the core of what the MENV capstone program instills in all students.

“We are so proud of receiving this award. It celebrates the impact of our team, our students and our partner organizations over the last decade. That impact is a product of investment. When you commit real resources and time into students and into reciprocal partnerships, you get work that matters, for our community and for the partners we serve,” capstone lead Alice Reznickova shared.

The recognition affirms the capstone program as a leading model of sustainability work. The MENV capstone places all graduate students in direct partnership with external organizations to tackle real sustainability and climate challenges. Since its inception, MENV students have completed nearly 250 projects, and with each one, the program's network of partners, alumni and real-world impact continues to grow.

Just this past year, 78 students invested more than 46,800 hours across 26 projects with nonprofits, municipalities, private companies and state agencies, producing deliverables that informed policy, advanced organizational strategy and created measurable outcomes for communities across Colorado and beyond. By functioning as graduate-level consultants rather than traditional interns, MENV students bring prior professional experience and sustainability expertise to every project.

The capstone program's approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful progress on sustainability requires more than technical expertise—it requires the courage to engage in complex, real-world problems; the credibility that comes from rigorous, applied work; and the ability to collaborate across sectors and communities.

Read the 2025 MENV Capstone Impact Report (PDF)

Under the guidance of their faculty advisor and capstone partner, students have a real impact on their communities and leave equipped to contribute to the kind of collective action the sustainability field demands. What further distinguishes the program is how intentionally it weaves career development into the capstone experience, so that applied project work and professional growth advance hand in hand.

“Partnering with Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has given me exactly the combination of experiences I hoped to get out of MENV: deep learning, strong professional connections and the chance to see my work create tangible impact. As I look toward full-time opportunities after graduation, this experience has become a genuine stepping stone and proof of what I can contribute in professional settings,” Norman Kalen, a second-year MENV student, shared.

As MENV enters its 10th year, this national recognition affirms the program's role as a global model for how professional graduate education can drive lasting, meaningful change.

The National Sustainability Society has honored the graduate capstone program with its Innovations in Sustainability Education Award, recognizing a decade of student-led projects that pair real-world impact with professional growth.

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Using AI in your classes: What every Buff should know

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:39:35 +0000

Using AI in your classes: What every Buff should know Megan M Rogers Tue, 08/18/2026 - 10:39

Before you use AI for coursework, make sure you understand your instructor's guidelines. Following your course expectations and the Honor Code will help you use AI responsibly while protecting your academic integrity. Here are three things to know.

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Boosting aerospace engineering research and study abroad with France

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:01:00 +0000

Boosting aerospace engineering research and study abroad with France Megan M Rogers Tue, 08/04/2026 - 07:01

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has signed a formal memorandum of understanding with a leading French institution for aerospace engineering education and research, advancing the university's efforts to strengthen its global partnerships.

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Boulder Climate Ventures returns with renewed funding, executive-in-residence

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:51:04 +0000

Boulder Climate Ventures returns with renewed funding, executive-in-residence Megan M Rogers Tue, 08/04/2026 - 06:51

Calling all clean tech innovators: Boulder Climate Ventures' programs are now available for credit and will include the guidance of new Executive-in-Residence Alice Havill.

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Strengthen your syllabus in the age of AI

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:40:54 +0000

Strengthen your syllabus in the age of AI Megan M Rogers Tue, 08/04/2026 - 06:40

It's more important than ever to clearly communicate your expectations for how students may—and may not—use AI in your course. Here are a few ways to strengthen your syllabus to support the Honor Code.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� ranks among world's top institutions for climate science research

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:06:23 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� ranks among world's top institutions for climate science research Megan M Rogers Tue, 06/30/2026 - 11:06

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has been named one of the world's leading institutions for climate science, ranking eighth globally in the latest analysis of the most highly cited climate research institutions by Carbon Brief.

The ranking places ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� among the world's most influential organizations advancing climate science and highlights the university's decades-long leadership in environmental research. It also makes ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� the highest-ranked university in Colorado and one of just 13 U.S. institutions to place in the global top 20.

Carbon Brief's analysis examined more than 40,000 institutions worldwide using its Cosmos database of climate-related research. Rankings were determined by summing the number of citations received by each institution's climate-related research papers, a widely used measure of scientific influence and impact.

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� ranked alongside many of the world's most prominent research organizations and universities, including the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, the University of Washington, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Columbia University.

The ranking also underscores ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s long-standing strength in climate research through its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In 1967, the university and NOAA established the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a world-renowned institute dedicated to understanding the dynamic Earth system and addressing pressing environmental challenges.

CIRES was also recognized in Carbon Brief's analysis, ranking No. 43 globally among climate research institutions. The institute is home to major research centers, including the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), which provides critical data and research on Earth's polar regions.

Carbon Brief noted that while ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research are separate institutions, they have collaborated closely on climate research over many years.

The analysis reflects the global reach and impact of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s climate research, with publications produced by university researchers informing scientific understanding of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, ice, ecosystems and changing climate.

Carbon Brief's Cosmos database tracks climate-related publications and citations from universities, government agencies, research laboratories and policy institutes around the world. Its institutional rankings are based on publication citations, providing a measure of how frequently research is referenced by other scientists and the influence it has on advancing the field.

Overall, the analysis found that U.S. institutions remain a cornerstone of global climate science. Of the 500 institutions included in the Cosmos rankings, 183 are based in the United States, including 13 of the top 20.

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has been ranked eighth globally in the latest analysis of the most highly cited climate research institutions by Carbon Brief.

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Sustainability-focused capstones leave impact on Boulder and beyond

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:59:52 +0000

Sustainability-focused capstones leave impact on Boulder and beyond Megan M Rogers Wed, 06/24/2026 - 13:59

Cass Mendoza

For more than a decade, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Masters of the Environment (MENV) program has connected graduate students with sustainability projects that local communities often lack the time, capacity or resources to tackle on their own. Last year, MENV students left their mark on Boulder’s schools, landscapes, food systems and entertainment scene.

Implementing a decarbonization plan for Boulder Valley School District

In 2024, MENV students Ryan Brown, Andrew Neely and Sarah Nick worked with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to create their first district-wide decarbonization plan, which would result in the entire district’s electrification and decarbonization by 2050.

All three students, who were specializing in urban resilience and sustainability, added a secondary specialization in renewable and sustainable energy to benefit their understanding and experience in this role. The team's dedication and hard work did not go unappreciated by their BVSD partner, Sustainability and Energy Officer Ghita Carroll:

“It has been so exciting to see the many MENV graduates filter into sustainability roles across this community. Their real-world experience plus knowledge base brings a level of expertise that makes them stand out among other candidates. At BVSD, we were thrilled to work with a team of outstanding MENV students to create our first decarbonization plan.

“When the opportunity arose with an open position, we were thrilled once again to select an MENV graduate, Sarah Nick, to fill that role. She has been an outstanding addition to our team. We both enjoy crossing paths with other MENV graduate students in our day-to-day work.”

Since entering the role of sustainability and energy analyst, Nick has been able to embed the decarbonization plan she created with her team into BVSD's full climate action plan.

Assessing the local market for regionally native plants

Throughout 2025, students Erin Bucchin, Ilanna Gipple and Jesse Stahl worked directly with landscape designers, installers and industry experts to assess the viability of a wholesale market for regionally native plants in Boulder County. They found demand remains limited, in part because current restrictions on non-functional turf do not apply to residential properties, giving many homeowners little incentive to replace traditional lawns with native landscaping.

The students describe their work as part of a broader movement toward more water-conscious landscaping. With many of the landscape designers, installers and suppliers feeling similarly, students believe their report has the potential to organize a coalition or network to share resources.

Bucchin and Stahl presented their findings at the Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference in February 2026, continuing to promote their hard work and expand its reach.

Connecting the community to local foods

MENV students specializing in sustainable food systems, Sam Cochrane and Alexandra Rodriguez , have been working with the Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) to help strengthen their food hub.

BCFM’s food hub sells fresh produce, meats and provisions that originate in the county at prices set directly by farmers. It connects ranchers and producers to shoppers and institutions. The student team met with many institutions around the county, including schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities to help them connect to local foods.

Rodriguez and Cochrane also built a vendor resource guide to help educate farmers market vendors on the food hub and an institutional partner development toolkit to educate institutions on the importance of sourcing locally.

Much was achieved in this 2025 capstone project, but the students believe there is still room for growth—hinting that a future partnership with MENV could further elevate BCFM’s food hub.

Advancing sustainability at Boulder’s historic theaters

Nick Cordova, Haylee Grace, Mikey Jacobs and Lydia McElderry's 2025 capstone project provided a holistic perspective on sustainability for Boulder Theater and Fox Theater, historic sites managed by Z2 Entertainment.

The team completed one water audit, three waste audits and a greenhouse gas inventory at the theaters. They also surveyed more than 250 theatergoers about sustainability initiatives they would like to see at the venues.

By the end of their project, the student team had developed a five-year sustainability action plan for Z2 Entertainment and helped secure a grant for a heat pump to improve energy efficiency. They also created a toolkit for other venues interested in integrating more sustainability into their practices.

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� MENV

The Masters of the Environment program is a two-year professional master's program. With specializations available in environmental and natural resource policy, sustainable food systems, sustainability in the outdoor industry, renewable and sustainable energy, and urban resilience and sustainability, the program offers a holistic approach to studying sustainability and the environment.

Between their first and second year, MENV students are partnered with professional organizations to tackle sustainability-focused capstone projects. The impact of past projects is still visible around Boulder, across Colorado and even around the world—evidence of what another decade of MENV students can accomplish as they help communities tackle complex sustainability challenges.

For more than a decade, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��'s Masters of the Environment program has connected graduate students with sustainability projects that local communities often lack the time, capacity or resources to tackle on their own.

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