CSU Pueblo Celebrates Faculty Research at Annual Scholars Reception
Faculty, staff, and students gather to highlight scholarship spanning local impact to national research conversations
Colorado State University Pueblo held its annual Scholars Reception on April 15, drawing faculty, staff, administrators, and students to celebrate the university’s research output from 2025. The event, which runs from 4 to 6 p.m. each spring, has been a CSU Pueblo tradition for nearly 40 years.
This year’s program recognized faculty and staff who published journal articles, presented at conferences, secured external grants, or produced creative work. The breadth of scholarship on display reflected work from every college on campus, with research reaching from Pueblo neighborhoods to national policy conversations.
“The tradition of recognizing the faculty is important to us. We try to do it at least once a year because they work so hard all year long and then it’s kind of thankless. You don’t get paid for it.”
— Rhonda Manzanares, dean of library services
Faculty, staff, and guests gather at the Scholars Reception in the Rawlings Foundation room. President Rhonda Epper (right) speaks with attendees.
Research That Reaches the Region
Among the work recognized this year, Kevin Duncan collaborated with students to examine how Superfund cleanup efforts affect property values in Pueblo. Professors Alegria Ribadeneira and Katie Brown developed free Spanish-language textbooks now used by students across Colorado, directly reducing course costs.
Additional research included mental health training for resident assistants and studies on electoral fairness published in peer-reviewed journals, highlighting CSU Pueblo’s growing academic footprint.
Four Faculty Members Who Stood Out
Several faculty members were recognized for particularly strong scholarly output in 2025, including Trung Duong, Zhidong Su, Eddie Lucero, and Michael Briscoe. Their work spans engineering, public policy, political science, and sociology, reinforcing CSU Pueblo’s impact across disciplines.
Spotlight: Himadri Sen Gupta
Among the researchers recognized, Himadri Sen Gupta focuses on how communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters. An assistant professor of industrial engineering, his work explores resilience and recovery strategies following major disruptions.
“I love to be more engaged with students so that we can learn and grow together.”
— Himadri Sen Gupta
A slide showing 2025 publications is displayed during the Scholars Reception.
A Research University in Practice
CSU Pueblo pulls in more than $3.5 million in external research funding annually and recently earned Carnegie Research College and University classification. The Scholars Reception highlights how faculty scholarship shapes student learning and strengthens academic programs across campus.
The event continues a nearly 40-year tradition, connecting research to real-world impact throughout Southern Colorado and beyond.
Provost Gail Mackin listens to remarks during the Scholars Reception on April 15.
Keynote
The keynote was delivered at 4:30 p.m. by Annette Gabaldon, professor of biology and the 2024 recipient of the University Award for Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
The Scholars Reception continues a nearly 40-year tradition at CSU Pueblo. Since earning its Carnegie classification, the university has built on a culture where faculty scholarship shapes student learning, strengthens curricula, and produces work relevant to Southern Colorado and beyond. Tuesday’s event made that visible.
