News /business/ en How Leeds Students Are Redefining Writing in the Age of AI /business/news/2-25/12/16/redefining-writing-age-of-ai <span>How Leeds Students Are Redefining Writing in the Age of AI</span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-16T15:40:28-07:00" title="Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 15:40">Tue, 12/16/2025 - 15:40</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/Charlie-Tell-writing-project.jpg?h=c1214133&amp;itok=J2hHU5Cw" width="1200" height="800" alt="Charlie Tell presenting a writing project in Bonnie Auslander's class"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <a href="/business/leeds-directory/jane-majkiewicz">Jane Majkiewicz</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div> <div class="align-center image_style-large_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-12/Charlie-Tell-writing-project.jpg?itok=EaJ0KoNR" width="1500" height="675" alt="Charlie Tell presenting a writing project in Bonnie Auslander's class"> </div> </div> <p class="small-text"><em>Charlie Tell (Mgmt’26) presented his “hermit crab” writing project—a creative technique where writers use an existing structure, such as a newspaper, as a “shell” for new content. His mock publication, </em>The New Negative Times<em>, highlighted how most news stories tend to focus on negativity.&nbsp;</em></p><hr><p>Here’s a perennial question for business schools: How do we teach students to write well? In 2025, that question took on a new dimension: How do we prepare students to write effectively in an AI-driven world?</p><p>We’ve all seen the chorus of headlines repeating a provocative question: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/is-ai-making-us-dumb-21ea8e39?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqeCFWL-v1v2wZe2-Hz4Y0ZJJ6arnKpZbyK2LJKXXhmvWMPrG2hcRio4&amp;gaa_ts=69399b7c&amp;gaa_sig=l0uY2owEj6p2oKHWOfbNKFbiKJxtTOSY12-__7yU6nccP-eV8UVz142I2114HlDopa72G0UG0YUNQuz8iQ2aqg%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">Is AI making us dumb?</a>&nbsp;</p><p>For anyone doubting whether students can thrive as writers in the age of AI, Associate Teaching Professor <a href="/business/leeds-directory/faculty/bonnie-j-auslander" rel="nofollow">Bonnie Auslander</a>’s Written Communications for Business Leaders (BADM 3020) class would quell any concerns. As 19 students wrapped up the semester, they each gave a two-minute presentation during a showcase of their projects. From personal stories to field guides and posters addressing societal and campus problems, students shared work that showed not only heart but also the critical thinking needed to know when to use AI to enhance their writing—and when to set it aside.</p><p>“Many of today’s students are using AI with little guidance or supervision,” said Associate Teaching Professor Jeremiah Contreras at this year’s <a href="/business/news/2025/12/10/shaping-thinkers-ai-era-learning" rel="nofollow">Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum</a>. Leeds is addressing this challenge head-on. Over the past year, the school has accelerated its AI leadership through initiatives like attending industry events, launching experiential AI projects, and integrating AI tools into all BCOR courses and more than 30 others across the curriculum.</p><h3>Exploring AI tools</h3><p>Students in Auslander’s class explored how AI can solve real-world problems and enhance creativity. Brayden Bengston (Fin’26) tackled a common frustration: unproductive Zoom meetings. He used Fellow.AI, a generative AI meeting assistant, to help synthesize information, noting that the tool was able to detect tone, including sarcasm, offering a richer meeting summary than other AI tools.&nbsp;</p><p>Gauri Mahajan (BusAna’26) experimented with wisprflow.ai, a dictation tool, and discovered that while it incorporates context well, it lacks transparency around its privacy policies. Lesson learned. “While it’s easy to get caught up in features, it’s important to know where and how your data might be used," she said.</p><h3>Unleashing the artist within</h3><p>Recognizing the power of visual storytelling, several students showed how AI can elevate written content through compelling graphics and illustrations. Tate Metrokin (Mgmt’27) used ChatGPT to create a graphic promoting outdoor activities. He incorporated a pie chart showing that 95% of people feel better outdoors, but achieving the right illustration required more than 100 prompts. “AI can be limiting for creativity, but it also helps you grow in some respects,” he said.</p><p>Shloka Madireddi (BusAna’26) used ChatGPT to translate the concept of wealth inequality into a striking visual. She adapted the Met Gala controversy involving influencer Haley Kalil’s “Let them eat cake” video to create a poster featuring a large cake in the foreground, symbolizing the wealthiest 1%, while silhouetted figures symbolized the remaining 99%. She drew on the <a href="https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-nonfiction/what-is-a-hermit-crab-essay-in-writing" rel="nofollow">“hermit crab” writing technique</a> to adapt one form of writing into another form. “AI helped me create something emotionally hard-hitting,” she said.</p> <div class="align-center image_style-large_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-12/Three%20student%20%2522hermit%2522%20crab%20wriiting%20projects%20from%20Bonnie%20Auslander%27s%20class.png?itok=Pvl9u-ya" width="1500" height="844" alt="three student writing projects for Bonnie Auslander's class"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text"><em>From left to right, "hermit crab" writing projects from <span>Tate Metrokin (Mgmt’27), Ava McKelvie (Mgmt’27) and Shloka Madireddi (BusAna’26).</span></em></p> </span> </div> <h3>The human touch</h3><p>Max Carmel (StrEnt’26) explored AI’s role in customer outreach for Cloakel Capital, a strategic advisory and transaction enablement firm he started with&nbsp;a partner. Using multiple AI models, including ChatGPT and Claude, he found that the generated content felt overly polished and unrelatable. The results bore that out: His AI-crafted messages received little to no response.</p><p>The solution? Carmel switched back to writing in his authentic voice. “Using your personal voice is so much better,” he said. By crafting messages that reflected his personality, he built trust and connection, resulting in a significantly higher response rate.</p><h3>Creativity still wins</h3><p>The student projects highlighted the diversity of thought and creativity that only human ingenuity can bring. Ava McKelvie (Mgmt’27), an avid skier, mapped her college journey in the form of a ski trail map, while Charlie Tell (Mktg’26) created a mock newspaper to illustrate how much of the information we consume is negative. The students discovered clever ways to use AI to illustrate real-world problems.</p><p>Brett Gardner (Acct’26) embraced the ‘Tell a Story, Get a Job’ exercise to craft a standout project. He used resi.ai to build a resume and LinkedIn profile tailored to a job opportunity in Namibia. Not knowing much about the country, resi’s search function helped him research and customize his application.</p><p>For Gardner, the exercise was more than just a class project. After graduation, he will begin his career at Königstein Capital in Namibia.</p><h3>Timeless lessons</h3><p>Auslander’s teaching approach is grounded in cautious optimism while relying on the tried-and-true methods that underscore human communication and connection.&nbsp;</p><p>“Teaching business writing used to focus mostly on teaching the rules, like following proper formatting, how best to use boilerplate phrasing, and so on. But AI is a brilliant rule-follower. Now I can concentrate on the deeper question: When does using AI impede human connections?”</p><p>Auslander asks students to explore the latest AI tools but also to embrace analog practices as well: handwritten journals, physical books, mailed thank-you notes. She wants students to grapple with a harder truth about AI: “AI isn’t just enhancing our work. It’s fundamentally changing what we need to be good at. What matters now is discernment about when to use AI and when to turn to the creativity that makes your voice distinctively human.</p><p>“AI can generate content, but it can't generate the critical thinking that comes from reading deeply and reflecting thoughtfully. The students who will thrive are the ones who read critically and think independently. AI can draft a perfect email in seconds, but it can't build the relationship that makes someone want to read it,” she said.</p><p>She reminds students of another enduring tool for great writing: reading. While scrolling through content on phones may be the norm, she encourages students to embrace the joy of turning a physical page—a simple, yet profound act that mirrors how their own stories will continue to unfold.&nbsp;</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-none ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><h3 class="text-align-center">In Their Own Voices</h3><p class="text-align-center"><em>Students reflected on key takeaways from using AI and flexing their own writing muscles.</em></p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i>Using AI well required me to stay in control: keeping what matched my intention and rewriting the parts that felt too generic. I also learned to recognize when the suggestions weren’t actually improvements. Over time, I became much more strategic and used AI to spark ideas, not replace them. That shift helped me grow into a more confident and discerning communicator, and it’s a skill I know I’ll bring into professional settings where AI is quickly becoming a standard tool.<i class="fa-solid fa-quote-right ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><br><strong>—Taylor Jarvie (Mgmt’27)</strong></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i>Mostly what I’m taking away is intentionality. I’m way more deliberate now about what I'm trying to accomplish before I start writing. Who’s this for? What do they need to leave with? What format makes that easiest? Where can AI actually help, and where do I need to rely on my own voice? My portfolio captures that shift: It’s the arc from ‘I talk a lot’ to ‘I can communicate like a leader’: On purpose. Across formats. With an awareness of the tools and responsibilities that come with it.<i class="fa-solid fa-quote-right ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><br><strong>—Angelo Christoff (Fin, Bus’27)</strong></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;I may not be the most naturally creative person, but this semester has shown me that creativity is not fixed. It expands when you are willing to take risks, make mistakes and try again. Without Professor Auslander’s guidance, I would have presented Fellow.AI in a robotic way. I know what it’s like to sit through a bland presentation, and I couldn’t make my peers endure that.<i class="fa-solid fa-quote-right ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><br><strong>—Brayden Bengston (Fin’26)</strong></p></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Students in Bonnie Auslander’s Written Communications for Business Leaders course explored how AI can enhance writing—and where human creativity still leads.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:40:28 +0000 Jane Majkiewicz 19234 at /business The Science Behind Successful Holiday Fundraising Stories /business/news/2025/12/16/science-behind-successful-holiday-fundraising-stories <span>The Science Behind Successful Holiday Fundraising Stories</span> <span><span>Kelsey Cipolla</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-16T10:19:14-07:00" title="Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 10:19">Tue, 12/16/2025 - 10:19</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/Screenshot%202025-12-16%20at%2010.18.46%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=1ab3ad8f&amp;itok=Vge8rEnW" width="1200" height="800" alt="Hands over clover hold a ball of cash"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/2544" hreflang="en">Academic Reputation</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>New research shows donation appeals work best when they follow certain emotional arcs.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2025/12/16/science-behind-successful-holiday-fundraising-stories`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:19:14 +0000 Kelsey Cipolla 19233 at /business You're Probably Misreading Online Reviews. Here's Why /business/news/2025/12/15/youre-probably-misreading-online-reviews-heres-why <span>You're Probably Misreading Online Reviews. Here's Why</span> <span><span>Kelsey Cipolla</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-15T10:35:36-07:00" title="Monday, December 15, 2025 - 10:35">Mon, 12/15/2025 - 10:35</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/pexels-mart-production-7679796.jpg?h=2c11fb9e&amp;itok=0H7Dj2fD" width="1200" height="800" alt="People look at a shopping site on a laptop"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/2544" hreflang="en">Academic Reputation</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Most reviews reflect a “vibe” and not pure quality, making bargains not the deals they seem, according to a Leeds marketing researcher.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2025/12/15/youre-probably-misreading-online-reviews-heres-why`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:35:36 +0000 Kelsey Cipolla 19231 at /business Leeds in 2025: A Landmark Year /business/news/2025/12/17/leeds-in-2025 <span>Leeds in 2025: A Landmark Year</span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-12T15:05:31-07:00" title="Friday, December 12, 2025 - 15:05">Fri, 12/12/2025 - 15:05</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/FGX%20Dubai%20_1.jpg?h=341a1f3b&amp;itok=ScmabxHB" width="1200" height="800" alt="Two students in the desert on an FGX trip to Dubai"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero"><em>This year was one of bold moves, big wins, groundbreaking research, inspiring people and unforgettable events. Everywhere you looked, Leeds was doing what it does best: innovating and advancing business as a force for positive change.</em></p> <div class="align-center image_style-large_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-12/FGX%20Dubai%20_0.jpg?itok=GzoMXUB0" width="1500" height="1088" alt="Two students in the desert on an FGX Dubai 2025 trip"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text"><em><span>Over spring break, Leeds Honors Program students traveled to Dubai, learning about the economy and entrepreneurial landscape. Read about Leeds' many </span></em><a href="/business/business-at-leeds/2025/experiential-learning-excellence" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><em><span>experiential learning opportunities</span></em></a><em><span> in this year's issue of </span></em><span>Business at Leeds</span><em><span>.</span></em></p> </span> </div> <p>As we reflect on the lessons learned over a year unlike any other, we look ahead to 2026 with confidence—ready to build on discoveries, sharpen insights, solve problems and embrace new challenges. "The <a href="/business/about-leeds/strategic-plan" rel="nofollow">Leeds Strategic Plan</a> outlines our ambitious, future-focused vision and four strategic initiatives that guide our goals, priorities and aspirations as a school,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of Leeds.</p><p>Here are the stories that shaped 2025.</p><hr><h3>Big firsts</h3><p>This year, Leeds raised the bar—becoming the first public university in Breakthrough Energy’s University Climate Ventures network, launching next-gen degrees and fueling student ideas into real ventures. With major gifts, bold research initiatives and new data-powered career paths, Leeds charged into the future.</p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><div><ul><li><a href="/business/news/2025/11/06/new-IBE-degree-program" rel="nofollow"><strong>Leeds Partners with CEAS to Launch Bachelor of Science in Integrated Business and Engineering Program</strong></a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/today/2025/09/22/cu-boulder-launches-new-masters-degrees-sustainable-business-engineering" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Launches New Master's Degrees in Sustainable Business, Engineering</strong></a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/today/2025/05/05/new-climate-initiative-turn-student-innovations-startup-success" rel="nofollow"><strong>New Climate Initiative to Turn Student Innovations into Startup Success</strong></a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/business/news/2025/11/03/eta-the-colorado-way" rel="nofollow"><strong>ETA the Colorado Way</strong></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="col ucb-column"><div><ul><li><a href="/today/2025/07/21/transformative-gift-help-elevate-leeds-school-community-mission" rel="nofollow"><strong>Transformative Gift to Help Elevate Leeds School Community, Mission</strong></a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/business/news/2025-02-14/initiative-global-business-impact" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Leading Citizen Well-Being Through Business Research: Launching the Initiative for Global Business Impact</strong></a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><a href="/business/news/2025/01/14/harnessing-data-power" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Harnessing Data Power: A Game-Changer for Supply Chain and Marketing Careers</strong></a></li></ul></div></div></div><hr><h3>On the map</h3><p>Leeds’ reputation surged in 2025, posting major gains in U.S. News and UTD research rankings. Our Executive MBA redefined modern leadership education, while milestone anniversaries and national recognition underscored a school on the rise.</p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><div><ul><li><div><p><a href="/business/news/2025/10/17/CU-boulder-named-ignition-school-second-year" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Named Ignition School for Second Consecutive Year</strong></a></p></div></li><li><div><p><a href="/business/news/2025/09/23/us-news-2026-rankings" rel="nofollow"><strong>Boldly Moving Business Forward: Leeds Climbs in U.S. News &amp; World Report Rankings</strong></a></p></div></li><li><div><p><a href="/business/news/2025/05/27/leeds-emba-redefining-business-leadership" rel="nofollow"><strong>From the C-Suite to the Classroom: How Leeds’ Executive MBA Is Redefining Business Education</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p></div></li></ul></div></div><div class="col ucb-column"><ul><li><div><p><a href="/business/news/2025/03/26/leeds-builds-momentum-utd-rankings" rel="nofollow"><strong>Leeds Builds Momentum in Faculty Research Excellence with Major Jumps in UTD Rankings</strong></a></p></div></li><li><div><p><a href="/business/2025/04/08/more-milestones-celebrate-leeds-mba-turns-60-part-time-mba-climbs-us-news-rankings" rel="nofollow"><strong>More Milestones to Celebrate: Leeds MBA Turns 60, Part-Time MBA Climbs in U.S. News Rankings</strong></a></p></div></li></ul></div></div><hr><div><h3>In the spotlight</h3><p>Leeds faculty were everywhere this year—shaping conversations across <em>The New York Times</em> to Hidden Brain, Yahoo! Finance, China Daily and more. Our experts brought research-driven perspectives to stories on culture, consumer behavior and the changing economy—amplifying Leeds’ voice far beyond campus.&nbsp;</p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><div><ul><li><strong>Alix Barasch in </strong><em><strong>The New York Times</strong></em><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/nyregion/nyc-nightlife-no-phones.html" rel="nofollow">“‘Everyone’s In Sync’: Phone Ban on NYC Dance Floors Is Getting Rave Reviews”</a><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Ying Zeng in Yahoo!Finance</strong><br><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fake-labubus-hit-crisis-level-200000513.html" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US">"Fake Labubus hit 'crisis' level as real dolls sell for thousands. Why investing in collectibles isn't a smart money move"</span></a><br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Phil Fernbach on Hidden Brain</strong><br><a href="https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/how-much-do-we-really-know/" rel="nofollow">“How Much Do We Really Know?”</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="col ucb-column"><div><ul><li><strong>Peter McGraw in China Daily and on Make Me Smart</strong><br>Discussing <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202511/13/WS69153622a310d6866eb29421.html" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow">Singles Day</a> and the rise of <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/episode/2025/11/11/the-rise-of-the-solo-economy" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow">the solo economy</a></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><p><strong>Sebastian Schuetz in </strong><em><strong>The Independent</strong></em><br><a href="https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/health-and-families/fraud-scams-smart-people-b2864166.html" rel="nofollow">“I dropped 50K in a Mercedes backseat after a ‘call from the CIA’: How smart, sophisticated people get conned”</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></li></ul></div></div></div><hr><h3>The people who inspired us</h3><p>Leeds lit up social media in 2025 with vibrant, behind-the-scenes stories from our community. These were the profiles everyone shared—spotlighting the trailblazers and original thinkers who make Leeds what it is.&nbsp;</p><table><tbody><tr><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-05/04.30.25%20Jake%20Schneider%20FoL%20Portraits-8_0.jpg?h=2c61325d&amp;itok=57Xs5qSz" width="100" height="100" alt="Jake Schneider"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/faces/2025/05/09/jake-schneider" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Jake Schneider (Fin’25)</strong></span></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-01/Mia-Scara-Headshot-with%20background.png?h=109c386d&amp;itok=sXudq9FZ" width="100" height="100" alt="Mia Scara"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/faces/2025/01/16/mia-scara" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mia Scara (Bus, Mktg’26)</strong></span></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-04/Crop_RylanMontoya_Headshot%20%28002%29.jpg?h=74b77fed&amp;itok=qk2AZNbN" width="100" height="100" alt="Rylan Montoya"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/faces/2025/04/10/rylan-montoya" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Rylan Montoya (Bus’25)</strong></span><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-03/03.11.25%20Faces%20of%20Leeds%20-%20Liu%20Liu-8.jpg?h=bc39d260&amp;itok=ppolqFco" width="100" height="100" alt="Liu Liu"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/faces/2024/03/14/liu-liu" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Liu Liu</strong></span></a><br><a href="/business/faces/2024/03/14/liu-liu" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>(assistant professor of marketing)</strong></span></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-03/daniel%20hershey%20thumbnail.jpeg?h=c172ed5b&amp;itok=-rD0FeYS" width="100" height="100" alt="Daniel Hershey"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/snapshots/2025/03/21/daniel-hershey" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Daniel Hershey (Mgmt’25)</strong></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-04/Jessica%20Baumgarten%20FOL.jpg?h=25553d0d&amp;itok=5bADyPkg" width="100" height="100" alt="Jessica Baumgarten"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/faces/2025/04/24/jessica-baumgarten" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jessica Baumgarten (asistant director of the CDO)</strong></a></p></td></tr><tr><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-04/Zach_Jordan_thumbnail.jpg?h=0eb64136&amp;itok=c9Dk0pls" width="100" height="100" alt="Zach Jordan"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/snapshots/2025/04/18/zach-jordan" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Zach Jordan </strong><span><strong>(Math, CompSci, Bus’25)</strong></span></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-11/Kira%20Starick%20thumbnail.jpeg?h=adbe0dae&amp;itok=wJ78nekp" width="100" height="100" alt="Kira Starick"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/snapshots/2025/11/20/kira-starick" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Kira</strong><span><strong> Starick (RelEst, Bus’27)</strong></span></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-02/Luke-St.-John.jpeg?h=69e767da&amp;itok=PD3IXv-6" width="100" height="100" alt="Luke St. John"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/news/2025/02/10/career-paths-luke-st-john" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Luke St. John (Fin’25)</strong></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-10/Camryn%20Quartaroli%20Image.png?h=a7ad0827&amp;itok=JARYNXLe" width="100" height="100" alt="Camryn Quartaroli"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/snapshots/2025/10/24/camryn-quartaroli" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Camryn Quartaroli (RelEst, Mktg’26)</strong></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-12/Abdulla%20Al%20fadhli.jpeg?h=e696f211&amp;itok=PdzCf7Po" width="100" height="100" alt="Abdulla Al fadhli"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/snapshot/2025/12/04/abdulla-al-fadhli" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Abdulla Al fahdli (Fin’25)</strong></a></p></td><td> <div class="align-center image_style-square_thumbnail_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle square_thumbnail_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail_image_style/public/2025-11/Shannon%20Porter%20thumbnail.jpeg?h=cf6f469b&amp;itok=B3tA_qnH" width="100" height="100" alt="Shannon Porter"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center"><a href="/business/news/2025/11/06/career-paths-shannon-porter" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>Shannon Porter (Mktg’23)</strong></a></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><hr><h3>The story continues</h3><p>As 2025 ends, we’re not just closing the year—we’re setting the stage for the next act in Leeds’ legacy of excellence. A Business Buffs message for 2026: We’re ready!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>This year was one of bold moves, big wins, groundbreaking research, inspiring people and unforgettable events.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 22:05:31 +0000 Jane Majkiewicz 19230 at /business KeyBank Gift Empowers Diverse Leeds Scholars /business/news/2025/12/10/keybank-gift-to-leeds-oda <span>KeyBank Gift Empowers Diverse Leeds Scholars </span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-10T16:02:24-07:00" title="Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 16:02">Wed, 12/10/2025 - 16:02</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/IMG_9499%20copy.png?h=92e30431&amp;itok=iszr5etv" width="1200" height="800" alt="KeyBank scholarship recipients"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <a href="/business/leeds-directory/jane-majkiewicz">Jane Majkiewicz</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero"><em>KeyBank, a longtime Leeds supporter, closed 2025 on a high note with a gift of scholarships offered through Leeds’ </em><a href="/business/undergraduate-programs/additional-programs-undergraduate-students/oda-office" rel="nofollow"><em>Opening Doors to Achievement Office</em></a><em> (ODA).&nbsp;</em></p><hr> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-12/Keybank_edited.jpg?itok=ZOc2Z3rR" width="1500" height="779" alt="Keybank and Leeds team members pose with Leeds students"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text"><em><span lang="EN-GB">KeyBank visited Leeds to present its gift. From the left, Ruby Batalla; students David Evans, Michael Kakkar and Grace Trujillo; KeyBank team members Brianna Hein, Chris Picardi, Robin Van Lant, Christopher Dukes, Steven Cartwright, Walter Stanley and Al Lopez; and Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean Vijay Khatri.</span></em></p> </span> <p>KeyBank's latest donation to Leeds builds on decades of support through grants, mentoring and volunteering, including hosting the <a href="/business/news/2022/07/01/2022-business-leadership-program-diverse-students-campus" rel="nofollow">Business Leadership Program</a>. The new scholarships aim to reduce debt for juniors and seniors in the <a href="/business/oda/diverse-scholars-program" rel="nofollow">Diverse Scholars Program</a>, easing financial burdens that can derail graduation.&nbsp;</p><p>As a <a href="/business/oda/corporate-partners" rel="nofollow">corporate partner</a>, KeyBank helps the program support 300 underrepresented students each year with tutoring, mentorship and corporate site visits.</p><h3>A legacy of support</h3><p>Since 2002, KeyBank has contributed nearly $900,000 to 鶹ѰBoulder, reinforcing its commitment to higher education and workforce development.</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p class="lead">&nbsp;<i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i><strong>A college education equips students with the knowledge and confidence to secure sustainable and well-paying career opportunities, which benefits our entire community.</strong><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-right ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i></p><p><em>—Chris Picardi, KeyBank Colorado market president</em></p></div></div></div><p>“KeyBank is honored to support Leeds’ Opening Doors to Achievement Office in empowering business students with the financial means and structure needed to mitigate barriers to graduation,” said Chris Picardi, KeyBank Colorado market president. “A college education equips students with the knowledge and confidence to secure sustainable and well-paying career opportunities, which benefits our entire community.”</p><p>Ruby Battala, director of the ODA, added: “We are deeply grateful for KeyBank’s continued support and longstanding commitment to the success of our students.” She noted that KeyBank’s generosity has strengthened onboarding programs, the Business Leadership Program, and the <a href="/business/news/2023/08/01/open-business-what-did-leeds-do-summer" rel="nofollow">Summer Bridge Program</a> for&nbsp;<a href="/business/oda/leeds-excel-scholars" rel="nofollow">EXCEL Scholars</a>.</p><p>“With this new gift, KeyBank is helping students finish their degrees. By reducing financial burdens, Leeds students can focus on their education and maximize their opportunities,” she said.</p><h3>Scholarships that change lives</h3><p>Student testimonials highlight the transformative impact of these scholarships.</p><p>"The work that KeyBank does with the Leeds School of Business does really matter,” said Michael Kakkar (Mgmt, BusAn’26), an EXCEL Scholar.</p><p>The impact is clear in the experiences of students like Tyler Chacon (Fin’26). “The KeyBank scholarship has enabled me to comfortably afford my tuition bills and living expenses while in Boulder, which has taken a great deal of stress off my plate,” said Chacon. “Additionally, I was able to leverage this award in an interview, which helped me secure an internship position with Key Investment Services.”</p><p>Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of the Leeds School of Business, accepted the gift and summed up the broader impact. “When students are able to focus on classes, they’re able to graduate on time,” said Khatri. “By focusing on learning, they are empowered to go out and change the world.”</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>KeyBank closed 2025 on a high note with a gift of scholarships offered through Leeds’ Opening Doors to Achievement Office (ODA). </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:02:24 +0000 Jane Majkiewicz 19228 at /business Shaping Thinkers, Not Just Technicians: Leeds' Approach to AI-Era Learning /business/news/2025/12/10/shaping-thinkers-ai-era-learning <span>Shaping Thinkers, Not Just Technicians: Leeds' Approach to AI-Era Learning</span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-10T10:39:13-07:00" title="Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 10:39">Wed, 12/10/2025 - 10:39</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/CBEO%202025%20AI%20Session.jpeg?h=2c82e8bc&amp;itok=F8PxbWa9" width="1200" height="800" alt="Jeremiah Contreras and Matthew Brady speaking at the 2025 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/2543" hreflang="en">Business Acumen &amp; Career Outcomes</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <a href="/business/leeds-directory/jane-majkiewicz">Jane Majkiewicz</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero"><em>At the Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Dec. 8, Jeremiah Contreras and Matthew Brady presented “Talent in Transition: Building an AI-Ready Workforce.”</em></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-12/CBEO%202025%20AI%20Session.jpeg?itok=r4-pd1IH" width="750" height="510" alt="Jeremiah Contreras and Matthew Brady speaking at the 2025 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum"> </div> </div> <h3>Understanding the AI shift</h3><p>Artificial intelligence has moved from the margins to the mainstream of business. It’s no longer a future concept—it’s a present reality that is reshaping roles, redefining skills and challenging how organizations build their workforce.</p><p>Kala and Shiv Khatri Endowed Faculty Scholar and Associate Teaching Professor Contreras and Assistant Teaching Professor Brady walked attendees through AI’s evolution— from early machine learning to agentic AI and the possibility of artificial super intelligence, a theoretical future where AI could surpass human intelligence across many domains.</p><p>So how is Leeds preparing students for this rapidly changing landscape? In a realm filled with uncertainty, evolving regulations and unpredictable effects, they outlined both challenges and opportunities.</p><p>“The reality right now is that our students who are graduating are facing higher unemployment,” said Contreras, noting that entry-level jobs are seeing the largest impact. “Entry-level&nbsp;roles are being compressed as routine tasks are automated, and the skillset required to enter the workforce is rising,”&nbsp;he said. To illustrate, he shared some of this year’s layoff headlines from companies like Workday, Salesforce, Microsoft and Amazon.</p><h3>Preparing students for a new workforce</h3><p>While organizations will still have a C-suite and layers of management, entry-level roles will increasingly disappear. “We need to prepare students with the judgment and oversight skills now expected at the start of their careers, skills traditionally seen in manager-level positions,” said Contreras. “Employers are really looking to hire proof, not potential.”</p><p>Employers want algorithmic thinking and evidence that students can solve problems. Coding isn’t essential, but critical thinking that incorporates logic and reasoning is. “Employers expect competence, judgment and adaptability,” he said.</p><p>This shift is changing higher education. Many students already use AI with little guidance or oversight, which Contreras sees as the biggest risk. For learning to be impactful, AI cannot simply act as an answer machine.</p> <div class="align-center image_style-original_image_size"> <div class="imageMediaStyle original_image_size"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2024-11/gold-bar-news-at-leeds-boulder_0.png?itok=QaJxJ3LC" width="178" height="11" alt="golden bar"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center lead"><strong>“Employers are really looking to hire proof, not potential.”</strong></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>Jeremiah Contreras, associate teaching professor</em></p><p>When used well, AI can strengthen learning and push critical thinking, Brady believes. He uses AI as a teaching assistant for one of his courses, available 24/7 for students. His homegrown tool includes what the industry calls “guardrails,” redirecting students to course materials and lecture slides rather than doing the work for them.</p><p>“The same way that a human teaching assistant is artful and graceful in allowing for productive struggle,” AI can be trained to facilitate learning in the same way,” he said. An added benefit: the tool can help shy students who don’t necessarily advocate for themselves in class.</p><h3>Redefining business education in an AI era</h3><p>The <a href="https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/articles/2025/03/transforming-business-education-with-ai" rel="nofollow">Leeds AI Initiative</a>, launched in March 2024 by Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean Vijay Khatri, positions Leeds as a leader in responsible AI education. It addresses AI use in operations, research, and teaching and learning.</p><p>Leeds has integrated AI across all of its core business courses and is exploring AI integration across all undergraduate and graduate courses. “Every class should at least consider the implications of AI,” Contreras said. New courses are also in development, including Brady’s AI &amp; Automation for Tomorrow’s Societies, an inaugural cohort program with <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/" rel="nofollow">Nagoya University</a> in Japan launching this spring.</p><p>The biggest risk to students is allowing AI to think for them, Contreras warned. Leeds is setting an example in <a href="/today/2025/08/25/ai-headed-back-school" rel="nofollow">how to use AI intentionally</a>, strategically and responsibly through a three-pronged approach:</p><ul><li>strengthening learning and critical thinking</li><li>teaching AI as a workplace skill</li><li>knowing where and when to implement tech-free zones</li></ul><p>Educators must rethink how they assign and assess work, starting with K-12. “We must get this right,” said Contreras.</p><p>Business leaders will shape not just how AI is adopted, but how it impacts people and organizations. Their decisions will influence whether AI becomes a tool for progress or a source of disruption. For educators, the priority remains clear: keep teaching human skills—emphasizing what AI cannot replace. Contreras’ advice for all of us as we navigate this new era is to stay informed and engaged, monitor emerging AI policies, mentor students and keep doing what we do best: being human.</p><hr><p class="lead"><strong>Curious about AI at Leeds? Learn about the Leeds AI Advisory Committee and the AI Club </strong><a href="/business-students/ai-leeds-innovating-business-education" data-entity-type="external" rel="nofollow"><strong>&gt;&gt;</strong></a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>At the Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Dec. 8, attendees explored what the future AI-driven workplace will demand.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:39:13 +0000 Jane Majkiewicz 19227 at /business After New SEC Rule, Companies Are Strengthening Accounting—Not Executive Pay /business/news/2025/12/10/after-new-sec-rule-companies-are-strengthening-accounting-not-executive-pay <span>After New SEC Rule, Companies Are Strengthening Accounting—Not Executive Pay</span> <span><span>Kelsey Cipolla</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-10T09:56:53-07:00" title="Wednesday, December 10, 2025 - 09:56">Wed, 12/10/2025 - 09:56</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/Screenshot%202025-12-10%20at%209.51.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=d569cff7&amp;itok=P0Pn4vzJ" width="1200" height="800" alt="High rises extend into the air"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/2544" hreflang="en">Academic Reputation</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Publicly traded firms are hiring more accountants and improving financial reporting in response to a “clawback” rule that recovers CEO bonuses if earnings turn out to be misstated, new research shows.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2025/12/10/after-new-sec-rule-companies-are-strengthening-accounting-not-executive-pay`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:56:53 +0000 Kelsey Cipolla 19226 at /business Colorado’s Economic Forecast for 2026: Steady Growth Despite Headwinds /business/news/2025/12/08/colorados-economic-forecast-2026-steady-growth-despite-headwinds <span>Colorado’s Economic Forecast for 2026: Steady Growth Despite Headwinds</span> <span><span>Kelsey Cipolla</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-12-08T08:47:52-07:00" title="Monday, December 8, 2025 - 08:47">Mon, 12/08/2025 - 08:47</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-12/Screenshot%202025-12-08%20at%208.46.09%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=0ab41130&amp;itok=fWoDMiLO" width="1200" height="800" alt="Downtown Denver at sunset"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Amid a shifting economic landscape and slowing population gains, Colorado’s economy will continue to grow steadily in 2026, according to a forecast released by Leeds' Business Research Division.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2025/12/08/colorados-economic-forecast-2026-steady-growth-despite-headwinds`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:47:52 +0000 Kelsey Cipolla 19224 at /business Affordable Housing Demystified: Insights from Rodger Hara /business/news/2025/11/21/affordable-housing-demystified-with-rodger-hara <span>Affordable Housing Demystified: Insights from Rodger Hara</span> <span><span>Jane Majkiewicz</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-11-21T11:03:40-07:00" title="Friday, November 21, 2025 - 11:03">Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:03</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-11/Rodger-Hara-and-Julie-Gibson.png?h=bc13de15&amp;itok=pCYxZcF3" width="1200" height="800" alt="Rodger Hara and Julie Gibson"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/1983" hreflang="en">Klump</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/1642" hreflang="en">Real Estate</a> </div> <a href="/business/leeds-directory/jane-majkiewicz">Jane Majkiewicz</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="hero"><em>Rodger Hara, an authority on affordable housing, came to Leeds as part of the Etkin Symposium speaker series to explain the inner workings of the affordable housing market, reveal how projects get funded, and look toward the future.</em></p><hr> <div class="align-left image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-11/Rodger-Hara-and-Julie-Gibson.png?itok=bsKV2tyq" width="750" height="670" alt="Rodger Hara and Julie Gibson"> </div> </div> <p>Picture an upside-down, multitiered wedding cake. That’s the image <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-hara-6a06b69/" rel="nofollow">Rodger Hara</a> used to illustrate the “capital stack” behind financing affordable housing projects. Each layer represents a different stakeholder—from lenders and investors to property managers and everyone in between (each with their own lawyers, which adds to the complexity). The challenge? “The cake isn’t done until the smallest layer is baked."</p><p>And there’s another caveat: “Things are changing very rapidly”—a reality Hara has witnessed repeatedly, especially in the past year.</p><h3>How affordable housing works</h3><p>Hara is the consummate authority on affordable housing, consulting in the field since 2008. Julie Gibson, the executive director of the Klump Center for Real Estate at Leeds, introduced him at the latest Etkin Symposium with this endorsement: “In Colorado, Rodger IS affordable housing.”</p><p>With decades of experience at local, state and federal levels, Hara delivered a presentation that walked symposium attendees through the evolution of affordable housing—from the milestone 1934 National Housing Act to the HUD Act of 1965 and beyond. Notably, one of the country’s first affordable housing projects happened in Colorado: Lincoln Park in Denver. Today, the story continues to unfold, influenced by modern legislation such as H.R. 1, the so-called <span>“One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”</span></p><p>The hourlong session was a crash course on the challenges, obstacles and opportunities shaping the affordable housing market. Both undergraduate and graduate real estate students attended—some with aspirations to serve communities in need.</p><p>Hara introduced key concepts such as the “missing middle”—those earning too much for low-income housing but not enough for median-priced homes—and “redlining,” the discriminatory practice of denying credit based on where people lived, symbolized by development maps with red lines drawn around certain neighborhoods. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 aimed to end such practices.</p><h3>Financing and a look ahead</h3><p>Hara shared a data-packed presentation highlighting details such as income levels, market dynamics, tax credit funding, and the growing demand for affordable housing. A diagram illustrated the financing flow: state agencies like the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) receive federal funds and allocate tax credits to developers, who sell them to investors. Investors buy the credits for various reasons, including economic yield, tax shelter and social impact.</p><p>He closed with both caution and optimism. While the ripple effects of H.R. 1 remain uncertain, he believes that cuts to HUD voucher funding, immigration-related labor shortages, tariffs and other changes could pose serious threats to the industry.</p> <div class="align-center image_style-original_image_size"> <div class="imageMediaStyle original_image_size"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2024-11/gold-bar-news-at-leeds-boulder_0.png?itok=QaJxJ3LC" width="178" height="11" alt="golden bar"> </div> </div> <p class="text-align-center lead"><strong>&nbsp;"You're going to have to figure out how to get things done after those of us who started this are gone. It’s a challenge that can be met, but it won’t be easy."</strong></p><p class="text-align-center"><em>Rodger Hara, affordable housing consultant</em></p><p>Yet, while the funds for affordable housing are decreasing just as the need is increasing, Hara said creative solutions persist. As one example, he cited Veterans Village in Denver, funded by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation without relying on tax credits.</p><p>Other strategies include modular construction, adaptive reuse of former offices, schools or churches, preservation projects, higher-density development and leveraging public land.</p><p>In addition to the challenges, affordable housing projects can take a long time, Hara explained. "You're going to have to figure out how to get things done," he said, "after those of us who started this are gone. It’s a challenge that can be met, but it won’t be easy."</p><p>Finally, Hara reminded students of their own influence. His advice: keep learning, think creatively—and most importantly, be sure to vote.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Rodger Hara, an authority on affordable housing, came to Leeds to explain the inner workings of the market, reveal how projects get funded, and look toward the future.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:03:40 +0000 Jane Majkiewicz 19205 at /business The Way You Say ‘Thanks’ Matters at Work /business/news/2025/11/21/way-you-say-thanks-matters-wo <span>The Way You Say ‘Thanks’ Matters at Work</span> <span><span>Kelsey Cipolla</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-11-21T08:38:58-07:00" title="Friday, November 21, 2025 - 08:38">Fri, 11/21/2025 - 08:38</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/business/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-11/Screenshot%202025-11-21%20at%208.39.43%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=2e4af638&amp;itok=vFKpvYul" width="1200" height="800" alt="A person handwrites &quot;thanks&quot; on a tag"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/2544" hreflang="en">Academic Reputation</a> <a href="/business/taxonomy/term/733" hreflang="en">News</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Not all thank-yous land the same. Leeds research shows the right kind of appreciation can boost morale and encourage open communication.<br> </div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2025/11/21/way-you-say-thanks-matters-work`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:38:58 +0000 Kelsey Cipolla 19204 at /business