The 2022 CUMU Annual Conference, The Essential Role of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, invited us to consider the essential role urban and metropolitan universities play in leading a recovery grounded in community, equity, and innovation. Presenters and attendees were asked to reflect broadly on how the urban mission can be fully integrated into operations, structure, partnerships, and academic objectives within the following major themes:

• Cultivating Resilient Campuses in the Midst of Crisis
• Inclusive Growth and Housing
• Industry Engagement and Entrepreneurship
• K-16 Student Success and Support
• Place-Based Hyperlocal Community Engagement
• Racial Equity and Social Mobility
• Regional Collaborations and Partnerships
• Workforce and Talent Development

The 2020 CUMU Annual Conference was a virtual event featuring a series of thought-provoking and action-oriented key notes tackling economic inclusion and recovery, systemic and structural racism, and transformation through crisis. Over three afternoons, dynamic cross-sector leaders addressed the biggest issues facing our urban and metropolitan campuses and communities today and in the future. Recordings of each session, along with related readings and resources are available for attendees at Leading voices. Leading change.

The 2019 CUMU Annual Conference, All In: The Urban Mission, was our largest to date, selling out weeks in advance. 479 leaders from the United States, Canada, and South Africa attended, representing 105 higher education institutions. We also welcomed our largest group of university collaborators and partners

The 2018 CUMU Annual Conference was our largest to date—over 400 attendees from the United States, Canada, and South Africa. CUMU members are known as vibrant, forward-looking institutions that serve as vital resource hubs for their communities—contributing to educational achievement, community engagement, and economic activity. As our communities face increasingly complex challenges, CUMU members have been called to action in partnership with the cities they serve. Our members are working across disciplines, sectors, and communities to create equitable, innovative solutions essential to the future health and vitality of our cities.

CUMU recognizes these challenges and the innovative solutions put forth by our member institutions. The 2018 CUMU Annual Conference calls upon each of us—leaders, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community partners—to reflect on the changing role of our urban and metropolitan serving institutions through an equity lens in academe and in public life.

With more than 15 colleges and universities located in and around the Denver Metropolitan Area, the city served as an important backdrop for discussing the issues critical to urban and metropolitan institutions and the values that unite CUMU member institutions. A sold-out crowd of 400 came to Denver to connect with and learn from speakers and presentations from across our membership. Thank you for making this possible!

Just as urban and metropolitan universities and colleges serve an important role in their communities, cities serve important roles in students’ academic and personal growth. Urban institutions provide them with the resources to grow and thrive in a fast-paced environment. With better opportunities for experiential learning, research and development, creative activity, and partnerships that create immediate and substantive impact on communities, this urban advantage is on display in Denver, the setting of the 23rd Annual CUMU conference. From a mile above sea level, learn about the ways administrators and scholars are changing the face of urban institutions, and the way these colleges and universities are contributing to the city they call home.