Meet the Staff

Our Office
Representing active-duty, reservist, National Guard, veteran and dependents at CU Denver and CU Anschutz Medical Campus, the Office of Veteran and Military Student Services (VMSS) supports students as they transition from the military to the classroom and then on to the workforce.

Our Mission
“To strengthen the lives of all military-connected students, by delivering top-notch programming, support, and services that foster a community of past, present, and future students, raises awareness of challenges faced by this population, and helps our students in achieving academic, personal, and professional goals as they transition to, through and beyond the university.”

CU Denver Land Acknowledgement

Acknowledging that we reside in the homelands of Indigenous Peoples is an important step in recognizing the history and the original stewards of these lands. Land acknowledgments must extend far beyond words, the United States has worked hard to erase the narratives of Indigenous Peoples over time. Land acknowledgment statements can help to remind us of the history, the contributions and the sacrifices Native peoples have made.

We honor and acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute nations. This area, specifically the confluence of the Platte and Cherry Creek Rivers was the epicenter for trade, information sharing, planning for the future, community, family and ally building, as well as conducting healing ceremonies for over 45 Indigenous Nations, including the Lakota, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Shoshone, Paiute, Zuni, Hopi among others.

We must recognize Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of this land and as these words of acknowledgment are spoken and heard, remember the ties these nations still have to their traditional homelands. Let us acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory and pay our respect to the diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land. Let us also give thanks to all Tribal Nations and the ancestors of this place.

Gracie RedShirt Tyon, Lakota, Director, American Indian Student Services

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.