Strategic Initiatives & Operations

About the Division

The Division of Strategic Initiatives and Operations serves as a central driver of institutional priority alignment, engagement, and overarching strategic direction for the university. Grounded in the university’s four strategic pillars: Strategic and Sustainable Growth, Research and Creative Excellence, Organizational Excellence, and a Culture of Care, the division works to ensure these core pillars are not only clearly defined but meaningfully integrated across the campus.  Guided by the principles, Powered by People, Grounded in Research, Connected to Colorado, the division centers its work on the strengths of its people, the use of evidence to inform decisions, and a deep connection to the communities UCCS serves. Through this approach, strategic direction is translated into visible, actionable progress. Thereby fostering a campus environment where innovation, inclusive excellence, and well-being are prioritized. 

Headshot of Robin Parent

A Message from the Vice Chancellor

Dr. Robin Parent

Established in spring of 2025, though continues to evolve as institutional needs change. Our division brings together offices whose expertise and impact extend across UCCS. Through university communications, marketing, and video production, we help shape and share the stories that define our institution and strengthen its reputation. Through project management and strategic initiatives, we connect people and ideas, translate priorities into action, and help complex, university-wide efforts move forward. Through executive support and operations, we create the coordination, structure, and responsiveness necessary to advance the university’s mission and serve our campus community effectively. 

Although our areas of expertise are distinct, we are united through a shared purpose: helping UCCS work more collaboratively, communicate more clearly, and pursue its priorities with focus and intention. Our team often operates at the intersections between vision and implementation, strategy and operations, and individual departments and university-wide goals. We help colleagues navigate change, bring clarity to complex work, elevate the strengths of our campus, and create the conditions for people and ideas to thrive. 

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Strategic Initititives & Operations Departments

Office of Project Management

The Office of Project Management (OPM) leads and supports complex university initiatives that advance strategic priorities and institutional effectiveness. By partnering with campus stakeholders, the office improves project coordination, strengthens collaboration, and promotes successful outcomes across the university. OPM provides the structure, guidance, and oversight needed to move high-impact initiatives from planning to implementation while building long-term project management capacity across UCCS.

Office of Strategic Initiatives

The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) supports the advancement of UCCS's strategic priorities through planning, assessment, communications, project leadership, and stakeholder engagement. Working in partnership with campus leaders and units, OSI helps drive institutional initiatives, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and foster a connected and informed campus community. Through collaboration and strategic execution, the office helps transform university goals into measurable outcomes that support student success, belonging, and institutional excellence.

University Communications & Marketing

University Communications and Marketing leads the university's communications, marketing, branding, and media relations efforts. Through strategic communications, marketing campaigns, social media, creative services, video production, and media outreach, the department promotes UCCS's impact, supports institutional priorities, and strengthens engagement with students, employees, alumni, and the broader community.