Best of CASE District VI Award
 

Institution: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Title of entry: BirdTalk - MSU Denver's Alumni Podcast

About this entry: BirdTalk is MSU Denver’s alumni podcast produced by the Alumni Association to strengthen alumni connection, pride, and advocacy through authentic storytelling. Its primary audience is MSU Denver alumni across generations, with secondary audiences including current students, donors, and community partners interested in the university’s impact.

Launched in 2023 and produced on a frequent schedule, BirdTalk features long-form, conversational interviews with alumni from diverse industries and backgrounds. Hosted by MSU Denver alumna and Associate Vice President for Strategic Engagement Jamie Hurst, each episode explores career paths, personal challenges, and the role MSU Denver played in shaping alumni success. The tone is warm, candid, and engaging, fostering a strong sense of belonging and shared Roadrunner identity.

Strategically, BirdTalk was designed as a high-impact, low-cost communications tool that could scale alumni engagement without requiring significant staffing or budget. Episodes are distributed across major podcast platforms and embedded into alumni communications, extending reach while reinforcing institutional messaging organically.

The result is sustained engagement, growing audience loyalty, and national recognition, including a prior CASE Circle of Excellence Award. As a frequent podcast, BirdTalk demonstrates how consistent, authentic alumni storytelling can meaningfully advance institutional pride, connection, and advocacy.