CH2M HILL partners with CSU System to deliver graduate-level engineering program in Denver’s South Metro region

Note to Reporters: CSU Denver South will have an information session regarding the systems engineering program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Ste. 342, Centennial.

The Colorado State University System is pleased to announce a new educational partnership with CH2M HILL, a global leader in full-service engineering. Through the CSU Denver South initiative, CH2M HILL will host two graduate-level courses that are part of a systems engineering program offered by the CSU College of Engineering.

The four-course program – two classes taught face-to-face on CH2M HILL’s Englewood campus and two classes available online – covers the core curriculum needed for completion of a master’s or Ph.D. in systems engineering from CSU in Fort Collins. Classes begin January 2014 and are open to all qualified professionals in aerospace, energy, environment, biosciences, cyber/software, or related sectors who are seeking to expand their career horizons.

Details are available at www.online.colostate.edu/certificates/systems-engineering.

“The CSU System is tremendously proud to partner with CH2M HILL to bring this unique and innovative higher education concept to the South Denver region,” said CSU System Chancellor Mike Martin. “By pairing the quality of CSU’s top-ranked engineering program with the international and national reputation of CH2M HILL, CSU Denver South will be able to provide convenient educational opportunities to students where they live and work, and clearly address the workforce needs of local industry.”

Headquartered in Englewood, CH2M HILL is a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations, and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients. With $7 billion in revenue and 28,000 employees, the firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of water, transportation, environmental, energy, facilities and resources.

“CH2M HILL is honored to be partnering with Chancellor Martin and the CSU College of Engineering on their new graduate-level certificate program,” said CH2M HILL’s Transportation President Terry Ruhl. “This represents a world-class opportunity in the South Denver area for students and practitioners to become familiar with the high-demand field of systems engineering and program management. As the No. 1 program management firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record, CH2M HILL knows the value of this course work and experience in the global marketplace. And as a graduate of CSU, I know first-hand the value this institution brings in developing the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and corporate and civic leaders.”

CSU Denver South is a strategic initiative of the CSU System aimed at serving students and the business community in Denver’s South Metro region through a new educational model that will embed classes and programs with local corporate partners. The systems engineering program is the first opportunity to be offered through CSU Denver South. In fall 2014, CSU Denver South will coordinate with the three CSU System campuses and other academic partners to offer degree programs in business and nursing, with the prospect of adding additional degrees and certificates based on community demand.

Participants in the systems engineering program will learn concepts such as risk analysis, project management, support systems and engineering processes. The program is designed to prepare engineers or other professionals to lead systems engineering development from concept creation to production. The engineering program is being led by Dr. Ron Sega, a former NASA astronaut and director of the CSU systems engineering program.

Face-to-face courses that will be offered at CH2M HILL include:
• "Foundations of Systems Engineering” ENGR 501, Thursdays (Jan. 23 – May 15, 2014), 5:15 – 8 p.m.
• “Engineering Project and Program Management” MECH 501, Wednesdays (Jan. 22 – May 14, 2014), 5:15 – 8 p.m.

“We are honored that the business community in Denver’s South Metro region approached the CSU System, and we’re committed to bringing real value to local students, families and industry in this fast-growing part of Colorado,” Sega said. “The systems engineering program truly fills a strategic need for the region’s business community, and I’m excited about the opportunity to work with CH2M HILL to launch and grow this new endeavor.”

ABOUT THE CSU SYSTEM
The CSU System Board of Governors has nine voting members, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate, and six non-voting members who are faculty and student representatives from CSU, CSU-Global Campus and CSU-Pueblo. The board provides oversight to ensure effective management, accountability and leadership at all CSU System universities. More information: www.csusystem.edu.

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