Celebrate

Jun Ye named 2026 Wolf Prize laureate in Physics

Elizabeth Lock — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 12:10:51 +0000

Jun Ye named 2026 Wolf Prize laureate in Physics Elizabeth Lock Sat, 10/03/2026 - 06:10

Jun Ye has won the Wolf Prize in Physics. Ye, selected for "transformative, widely applicable advances in the control of ultracold atomic systems," is a fellow of NIST and JILA. He is also the Monroe Endowed Professor of Physics at ��ñ��.

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��ñ�� lands another Forbes top employer accolade

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:11:25 +0000

��ñ�� lands another Forbes top employer accolade  Megan M Rogers Wed, 09/30/2026 - 07:11

Forbes has once again recognized ��ñ�� as a top employer. 

The global media company ranked ��ñ�� as the top higher education employer in Colorado in its "2026 Best Employers by State" list. The university placed 13th overall on the state list and third among employers headquartered in Colorado. 

The recognition follows ��ñ��'s appearance earlier this year on Forbes' "2026 America's Best Large Employers" list, where the university ranked No. 4 among large employers in Colorado.

The Best Employers by State ranking, developed by Forbes in partnership with market research firm Statista, surveyed more than 245,000 employees nationwide and evaluated organizations on workplace culture, compensation and benefits, flexibility, career advancement opportunities and overall reputation.

“Our faculty and staff are the driving force behind ��ñ��’s excellence in teaching, research, creative work and service,” said Robyn Fergus, vice chancellor of human resources. “We are committed to fostering a workforce where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive both professionally and personally. This recognition affirms the strength of our community, the extraordinary dedication of our people and the culture we continue to build together—a culture that prioritizes well-being, professional development and meaningful engagement.”  

��ñ�� continues to invest in faculty and staff development. Last year, the university established the Division of Employee Health and Well-Being, a standalone unit dedicated to helping faculty and staff thrive both personally and professionally. 

“Recognition like this reflects the investments ��ñ�� continues to make in its people,” said Jess Doty, associate vice chancellor of Employee Health and Well-Being. “When employees feel supported in their health, well-being and professional growth, they are able to thrive. The ninth annual Health and Wellness Summit in early November will bring together faculty and staff for presentations and workshops, giving them the opportunity to focus on their personal and professional well-being. The summit, like this accolade, reinforces the importance of our employees who make this university exceptional.” 

��ñ�� also offers a suite of benefits, including retirement investing, vacation leave, medical and dental coverage, and paid parental leave. 

Forbes has ranked ��ñ�� among the "Best Employers by State" and "America's Best Large Employers" lists this year. 

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AB Nexus awards $825K to intercampus research teams

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:44:24 +0000

AB Nexus awards $825K to intercampus research teams Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/29/2026 - 10:44

The ��ñ�� and CU Anschutz collaborations—spanning AI, brain health, infectious disease and pediatric medicine—aim to advance human health and build new pathways to external funding.

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Student meteorology society named local chapter of the year

Chloe Fischer — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:14:40 +0000

Student meteorology society named local chapter of the year Chloe Fischer Fri, 09/25/2026 - 12:14

The ��ñ�� chapter of the American Meteorological Society has been recognized for cultivating lasting student networks and leading impactful community outreach.

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Michael McGehee, Keith Waters named 2026–27 Distinguished Research Lectureship recipients

Chloe Fischer — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:49:42 +0000

Michael McGehee, Keith Waters named 2026–27 Distinguished Research Lectureship recipients Chloe Fischer Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:49

Michael McGehee, Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Keith Waters, College of Music, have been recognized with Distinguished Research Lectureships, which are among the most esteemed honors bestowed by the faculty upon a faculty member at ��ñ��.

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Lisa Marshall wins national award for science writing

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:54:52 +0000

Lisa Marshall wins national award for science writing Elizabeth Lock Wed, 09/23/2026 - 12:54

Lisa Marshall

Lisa Marshall, ��ñ�� associate director of science storytelling, has won an esteemed writing award for her 2025 article, "Does mental illness have a silver lining? Mounting research says yes."

Lisa Marshall

More stories by Lisa Marshall

The honor is part of the Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards granted by the National Association of Science Writers. Among just two winners in the country, Marshall’s story is the top pick in the short-form category. The NASW will formally recognize Marshall this weekend at a ceremony in Corvallis, Oregon.

The awards committee praised Marshall’s piece as an intriguing perspective on the topic of mental health.

“Marshall's compelling coverage of unusual research into the upsides of mental illness takes a refreshing look at an often stigmatized subject and champions neurodiversity,” the judges said in a statement. “By featuring the researchers' powerful personal experiences and motivations, she humanizes the science of mental health and makes it relatable to her audience.”

This is something that Marshall works to do every day at ��ñ��.

“Lisa is a leader in effective storytelling, who works tirelessly to bridge research discovery and public knowledge in accessible ways,” said Elizabeth Lock, interim editorial director. “Not only does she powerfully contribute to our amazing team’s work to highlight ��ñ��’s most impactful findings, but she also engages across campus and beyond as a champion of science writing—teaching university courses, training, leading conference discussions and more.”

The NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards were established to recognize high-caliber, publicly accessible science writing produced on behalf of an institution or other non-media organization.

Marshall won the same NASW award in 2020 for "Healthy, stress-busting fat found hidden in the dirt." In 2023, she earned an honorable mention in NASW’s Science in Society category for her reported essay, "The end of Alzheimer’s."

She has also won several Public Relations Society of America Gold Pick Awards, including two last month for "AI ghosts are coming: Is that comforting or creepy?" and "Common sugar substitute shown to impair brain cells, boost stroke risk."

Marshall is a ��ñ�� master’s graduate, who joined the campus news team in 2016. Prior to that, she was a reporter and editor for the Boulder Daily Camera and a freelance health and science writer, with work published in Discover, Men’s Journal, Runner’s World, WebMD and Vice News among other national news outlets.

��ñ��’s Lisa Marshall has won the prestigious Excellence in Institutional Writing Award from the National Association of Science Writers.

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Campuswide commitment and action earn ��ñ�� international sustainability award

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:57:38 +0000

Campuswide commitment and action earn ��ñ�� international sustainability award Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/22/2026 - 08:57

��ñ�� has been awarded Sustainability Institution of the Year by the International Green Gown Awards, making it the first U.S. institution to receive the prestigious international honor recognizing universities that demonstrate a sustained, institution-wide commitment to sustainability and meaningful progress across their operations, academics and engagement with their communities.

Presented by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), the Green Gown Awards celebrate sustainability leadership across higher education worldwide. Since 2014, the awards have recognized institutions and projects that are helping transform the role of higher education in addressing environmental and social challenges.

The judges recognized ��ñ��’s holistic approach, which integrates sustainability into research, education, campus operations, governance and community engagement, along with its progress in tracking and reporting measurable outcomes.

“This recognition is a reflection of the fact that sustainability at ��ñ�� is a team sport,” said Andrew Mayock, vice chancellor of sustainability at ��ñ��. “It is the result of a community-wide commitment to making sustainability part of how we teach, how we conduct research, how we operate our campus and how we engage with the world around us.”

International Green Gown Awards 2026 Winner badge

This approach was showcased by ��ñ��’s long history of sustainability leadership, from world-class climate science research to sustainability-focused curriculum across colleges and departments, accelerated by the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education. ��ñ�� is also home to the nation’s oldest student-driven environmental center, is one of the most bike-friendly campuses in the nation, has eliminated single-use plastics in dining halls and campuswide and has a 50-year history of student-led campus recycling efforts.

More recent efforts include an ambitious climate action plan, Boulder Climate Ventures and a growing portfolio of sustainability-related research, innovation and spinouts. ��ñ�� also partners with businesses, organizations and peers in Boulder, Colorado, the U.S. and globally to develop collaborative approaches to climate change and sustainability-related issues. For example, ��ñ�� partners with the University of California, Los Angeles, on managing the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force, which works in 11 countries, across 54 states and provinces, and covers one-third of the world’s tropical forests. (The GCF Task Force Secretariat is based out of UCLA, Los Angeles, in collaboration with ��ñ��.)

The recognition comes during ��ñ��’s 150th anniversary year, a milestone that Chancellor Justin Schwartz said makes the award particularly meaningful.

“Receiving the Green Gown Award during ��ñ��’s 150th anniversary is especially meaningful because it honors our history and defines our future,” Schwartz said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of an entire community, our faculty, staff, students and partners—all who believe higher education must lead on the defining challenges of our time. I am grateful for their dedication and proud of how ��ñ�� continues to integrate sustainability into our teaching, research, operations and public mission.”

��ñ�� joins past recipients such as McGill University and the University of Technology Sydney as an international leader in sustainability. This year’s Green Gown Award winners represent institutions and initiatives from 18 countries across six continents.

The Sustainability Institution of the Year award is determined through a two-stage application and judging process involving experts from leading sustainability and higher education organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Association of Universities (IAU) and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

��ñ�� plans to build on its institutional foundation and history tied to sustainability, growing the university’s impact on campus and beyond by educating the climate leaders of tomorrow and investing in research, innovation and collaborative partnerships to drive real-time action and change.

The university was named Sustainability Institution of the Year by the International Green Gown Awards, making ��ñ�� the first U.S. institution to receive the prestigious international honor.

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7 professional awards go to Strategic Relations and Communications

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:41:50 +0000

7 professional awards go to Strategic Relations and Communications Megan M Rogers Tue, 09/01/2026 - 06:41

Strategic Relations and Communications staff members at the 2026 PRSA awards ceremony. Left to right, back row: Lisa Marshall, Josh Lindenstein, Kellen Wilson, Alicia DiRago, David DePuy. Front row: Jennifer Schufer, Candace Smith and Lisa Adducci. Photo courtesy of MiHi Entertainment.

The Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)—the most prestigious recognition program honoring the state's best public relations campaigns, tactics and professionals—honored ��ñ��’s Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC) department at a Denver ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The department received five Gold Pick Awards and two Silver Pick Awards for exceptional work in the communications field.

Team awards

The Value of Research Campaign, involving the work of the entire SRC department, received a Gold Pick Award in the integrated communications category.
SRC’s 2026 State of the Campus Campaign, led by Kellen Wilson, received a Gold Pick Award in the category of integrated communications.
The ��ñ�� Wi-Fi Improvement Project, led by Greg Stauffer, received a Silver Pick Award in the category of internal communications.

Individual awards

AI ghosts are coming: Is that comforting or creepy?—by Lisa Marshall—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of feature story.
Common sugar substitute shown to impair brain cells, boost stroke risk—by Lisa Marshall—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of news release.
Human emissions drove the megadrought in the Western U.S.—by Yvaine Ye—received a Gold Pick Award in the category of feature story.

Best in-house team

From campaigns to systems: ��ñ��’s integrated reputation transformation, involving the work of the entire SRC department, received a Silver Pick Award, reflecting the strength of SRC as a whole and serving as a testament to the impact the department’s evolution into an integrated marketing and communication approach will continue to have on building ��ñ��’s reputation every day.

Critical support for these winning pieces of work came from SRC leadership, including Erin Frazier, Jon Leslie, Jennifer Schufer and Candace Smith. Also, mightily involved in the success of SRC’s winning campaigns and stories were the behind-the-scenes teams that develop and support the department’s strategies, operations and channels: Marketing and Content Strategy; Strategic Communications; Constituent Experience and Technologies; Work Management and Brand Intelligence; Budget and Financial Administration; and the Strategic Events Team.

The Colorado chapter of the Public Relations Society of America honored ��ñ��’s Department of Strategic Relations and Communications with several awards at a recent Denver ceremony.

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Rebecca Safran wins American Ornithological Society Elliott Coues Award

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:13:52 +0000

Rebecca Safran wins American Ornithological Society Elliott Coues Award Megan M Rogers Thu, 08/27/2026 - 08:13

The ��ñ�� ecology and evolutionary biology professor is recognized for her research on barn swallows and other avian groups, which has taken her across the world.

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��ñ��'s Masters of the Environment capstone recognized for innovation in sustainability education

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

��ñ��'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.

��ñ��'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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