CHHS Spotlight: Q+A with Jess Retrum

Interim Dean of the 海角直播 of Health and Human Sciences听Jess Retrum, Ph.D.,听brings more than a decade of experience at Metropolitan State University of Denver.听As a faculty member, scholar, and department chair, her听past听clinical experience in听human services and health care settings听grounds听her with knowledge of how to work with many disciplines.听听

We听caught up to learn about how听her past听leadership听focused on building interdisciplinary programs, securing major workforce development grants, and strengthening partnerships that prepare students for careers in health and human听sciences.听听

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Jess, thank you for听taking the time to answer some questions.听驰辞耻鈥檙别听stepping into the interim听Dean role at听a听critical听moment for听CHHS.听What are听you looking forward to about听the opportunity?听

Jess Retrum: The thing that excites me most is the chance to support our 海角直播 in addressing Colorado鈥檚 most pressing workforce needs: health care, behavioral health, community well-being, and public safety. 听

Throughout my career听as a听practitioner and program听evaluator,听I have been motivated by connecting education with community impact. As a faculty member and department chair,听I鈥檝e听worked closely with partners across health systems, nonprofits, and state agencies to build training pathways that prepare students听to practice and lead in these areas.听听

Now, stepping into the interim听Dean role allows me to help coordinate those efforts across the entire听海角直播.听I鈥檓听energized by the opportunity to align our programs, faculty听expertise, and community partnerships so that we grow enrollment while expanding our impact on the workforce in Colorado.听

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CHHS听is facing pressures related to budget and enrollment.听What is your approach to leadership听during this time?听

JR: My experience as a department chair has required balancing those听exact听issues听–听aligning faculty workload, course offerings, and student demand while听maintaining听program quality.听听

As听chair听for the past 9 years, I听have worked听closely with faculty听and staff听to ensure teaching assignments and course scheduling听are responsive听to enrollment needs while supporting student success.听I鈥檝e听led听and supported faculty teams on听grant-funded initiatives designed to grow the behavioral-health workforce and expand educational access for students pursuing听those听careers.听听

These efforts听require听strategic budgeting, cross-sector partnerships, and careful planning to ensure sustainability.听The combination of听operational leadership听through several years on 海角直播 Denver鈥檚 strategic enrollment management committee,听I have developed听enrollment听strategy听awareness, and resource development听has prepared me well to help guide the听海角直播 through a period听of听fiscal stewardship and strategic growth.听听

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Strategic enrollment management will be听critical听moving forward. What opportunities do you see for听CHHS听in this area?听

JR: I see significant听opportunities听in strengthening the connection between our academic programs and workforce demand.听Most of the academic units within our听海角直播听–听nursing, social work, nutrition, criminal justice, counseling, and听other听health–related听professions听–听are all experiencing strong labor market demand.听听

By deepening partnerships with health systems, community organizations, and state agencies, we can design pathways that make it easier for students to see a clear line from their education to meaningful employment.听听

We can also continue to expand innovative models such as apprenticeships,听simulated and real-life听training, and interdisciplinary learning experiences. These approaches not only attract students,听but they听also improve retention because students understand the relevance of what they are learning and see themselves as future professionals from the very beginning.听

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Your听career听background consists听of being听both a scholar and practitioner. How does that inform your leadership style?听

JR:听It鈥檚听grounded in collaboration and evidence-informed decision making. My research has often focused on how networks and partnerships function effectively听–听whether in public health systems or community organizations.听I also听believe that听encouraging trusting听relationships听among team members听focused on a common mission听leads to positive outcomes for students,听and听in turn,听our communities.听

That perspective听informs me听for听how I lead.听I believe strong听teams and听institutions听rely on trust, communication, and shared听purpose听across faculty, staff, and external partners. At the same time, my background in research and program evaluation helps me approach challenges analytically.听听

Whether听we鈥檙e听discussing enrollment trends, student-success outcomes, or resource allocation, I value grounding decisions in data while also listening carefully to the experiences of those doing the work on the ground.听

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Is there a specific听sentiment听you would听like to share with faculty, staff, and students as you begin your time as interim听Dean?听听

JR: My message is one of gratitude and shared听commitment. The faculty and staff in听CHHS听are deeply dedicated to preparing the next generation of professionals who will care for our communities. That mission is more important than ever.听听

My goal as interim听Dean is to support the people doing that work听–听ensuring they have the resources, clarity, and collaboration needed听to succeed. At the same time, we will stay focused on strategic growth: strengthening enrollment, supporting student persistence, and positioning the听海角直播 to fully听leverage听the opportunities that come with our new health training facilities and workforce partnerships.听听

I see this moment not only as a challenge,听but also as an opportunity for听CHHS听to step forward as a听national听leader in health and human听science听education.听