Joe's Vision for the University of Colorado
» Vision
» Affordability & Access to Public Higher Education
» Innovation in Academics
» So Why Joe?
Every child in Colorado should have the opportunity to get a college education. And every child in Colorado should have the opportunity to
pursue an education at the State's flagship University, the University of Colorado! As the son of immigrants, I know the opportunities provided by higher education. My parents came to this country with a dime in their pockets, hoping that their children would one day be able to pursue the "American Dream" that we all inspire to achieve. Through hard work, they provided me with the opportunity to attend CU, and I hope as Regent to help provide the same opportunity to all Coloradoans and residents of the 2 nd Congressional District.
 Access to higher education remains difficult for many, and that should, and must change. As CU Regent, I pledge to visit every High School in the 2 nd Congressional District during my first term, to share the message that the University of Colorado is open to all. I pledge to work to:
- Improve access to CU by increasing financial aid and lowering the cost of a CU education
- Develop better community relations by engaging in broader outreach throughout the 2 nd Congressional District
- Focus on improving academic quality and broadening the academic opportunities offered to CU students and all Coloradoans
By working on the efforts above, while highlighting the positives that CU has to offer, we can make quality public higher education more affordable and accessible for all Coloradoans.
Affordability & Access to Public Higher Education:
Year after year, the University of Colorado has become less affordable and less accessible to Coloradoans who want to send their kids to college. As a CU alum and former student leader, I know all too well the financial hardships that have befallen CU and its students. That's why I worked tirelessly to lobby the Colorado State Legislature for a budget fix and spent hours campaigning for Referendum C in 2005. However, Referendum C cannot be the sole solution. The University of Colorado still receives less than 8% of its general funding from the State of Colorado , and remains 49 th in the nation for its funding of public higher education!
In times of hardship, it takes energy, passion, and experience to get the job done. As Regent, I will focus on:
- Developing new and innovative solutions to the funding of public higher education by working actively with faculty, students, alumni, and the broader community.
- Making CU more affordable for all Coloradoans by working with the Legislature and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to develop a consistent and reliable public revenue stream for higher education.
- Focus on investing in more pre-collegiate programs and collaborating with the recently commissioned P-20 Council and others to better bridge the gap between K-12 education and Higher Education.
Most importantly, I am dedicated to engaging the broader community in this effort. CU is an amazing University, but in order to solve the tough obstacles ahead, we will need active participation from all Coloradoans. Teachers, students, business leaders, community members, and elected officials will have to work together to solve the higher education funding crisis. I know how to build the coalitions necessary to do so, and with your help, I hope we can begin that journey.
Innovation in Academics:
The University of Colorado is a central piece to the success and the future of Colorado . As the State's third largest employer, CU serves as an economic hub for both the 2 nd Congressional District and beyond. It has been ranked the 11 th best public university in the Nation, among many other accolades. However, we must continue to improve the academic quality of a CU education if we hope to capitalize on our success. I plan to focus on:
• Improving the academic environment at CU by broadening the courses and programs offered, funding more one-on-one mentorship and advisor programs, and decreasing class size and academic waitlists
• Developing more cross-disciplinary programs and professional experiential learning opportunities that can both improve one's academic experience and better CU's relationship with local businesses, non-profit entities, and state and federal agencies.
• Work to increase the funding of public higher education so we can recruit the best faculty and improve our academic programs across the board!
So Why Joe?
As a student and community leader, I've worked hard on behalf of the University of Colorado and have fought for broader public access to quality higher education. I've testified on behalf of students in front of the Colorado Commission of Higher Education, the Joint Budget Committee, the Senate and House Education Committees, and numerous other entities. I've spoken to Rotaries, Chambers of Commerce, businesses, and non-profits across the 2 nd Congressional District about the importance of higher education to the State's economy and workforce. And I've served on numerous University committees, most recently on the Presidential Search Committee and the University of Colorado at Boulder 's "Flagship 2030" Committee. I have the experience, energy, and passion needed to keep the University moving in the right direction.
Simply put, I will be a Regent that CU, and the State of Colorado, can count on! |
