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When Dorothy Garrison‑Wade, PhD, first walked into the School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) at CU Denver more than twenty years ago, she carried with her a lifetime of experience from secondary schools—years spent as a high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, and counselor. Those roles taught her that leadership is never about authority; it is about people. They shaped her belief that listening is foundational, fairness is non‑negotiable, and authentic care changes institutions. She brought that ethos with her and made a huge impact on the lives of CU faculty, students, and administrators, from the inside out.

Dorothy came to SEHD after being recruited from Colorado State University (CSU) by colleagues who saw in her a rare blend of practitioner knowledge, research skills, and steady leadership. She quickly became a central figure in what is now called the Leadership for Educational Organizations program, and eventually became an associate dean for faculty affairs as well as an interim dean for a period of six months. From the beginning to the end of her time in SEHD, she set a tone of collaboration and humanity. Faculty and staff describe her as someone who did not simply guide them and support their career progressions—she lived leadership beside them.

“When I stepped into the role of Dean, Dorothy was one of the first people who made sure I had the support I needed to succeed,” said Marvin Lynn, PhD, Dean of the School of Education & Human Development. “Her intentionality, her steadiness, and her deep commitment to this school’s faculty were evident in every conversation we had. Working closely with her over the years, I saw firsthand how she was a true champion for our faculty! They felt supported because Dorothy made it a priority and that had an immeasurable impact on the work we were able to do together. She elevated all of us.”

Colleagues Reflect on Her Impact

Lucinda Soltero-Gonzalez, PhD, Dorothy Garrison-Wade, PhD, Sofia Chaparro, PhD, and Adriana Alvarez, PhD, doing a “happy dance” after the good news of a successful comprehensive review towards tenure.

Margarita Bianco, EdD, associate professor and founder of Pathways2Teaching, recalls how intertwined their professional lives became:

“Over more than two decades at CU Denver and earlier as co‑instructors at CSU, Dorothy and I collaborated in ways that shaped my work and my values. She has been an extraordinary colleague and thought partner, whose clarity and generosity strengthened our community. Most importantly, she is a true friend whose commitment left a lasting imprint on SEHD.”

For many faculty, Dorothy’s mentorship began long before tenure reviews and promotion packets. Adriana Alvarez, PhD, remembers her very first year in SEHD, when Dorothy simply asked her to take a walk.

“We connected through shared life experiences,” Alvarez recalls. “That conversation became the foundation of her mentorship on my journey to tenure. I will never forget the day we celebrated our comprehensive reviews together with a happy dance—her love and care made that moment possible.”

Her impact extended across programs and disciplines. Carlos P. Hipolito‑Delgado, PhD, professor in Counseling, shared that Dorothy’s presence shaped his academic journey in profound ways:

“Dorothy was my academic big sister, unafraid to challenge me while also being the first to celebrate my growth. Her belief in me pushed me to become a better scholar and colleague. I will always be grateful for her mentorship and personal support.”

And from the School Psychology doctoral program, gratitude is just as strong. Professor Bryn Harris, PhD, shared:

“Dorothy has uplifted my career in countless ways and has been an incredible champion of my work. In every interaction, I felt truly seen, valued, and supported. Her guidance has been a profound force in my success at CU Denver and beyond, and I am deeply grateful for the impact she has had on my professional journey.”

Staff also speak of Garrison-Wade with enormous affection. Hiromi Agena, who worked closely with her on faculty load and personnel processes, describes the assurance Dorothy brought to even the most complex situations:

“Her deep expertise, steady memory, and genuine care made even the hardest challenges manageable. Everything she offered—advice, clarity, compassion—was thoughtful and precise.”

Leadership Rooted in Care and Fairness

Garrison‑Wade with students she met during an accreditation visit in Egypt in 2007—a moment that reflects her deep love of mentoring and connecting with learners around the world.

These reflections mirror what Dorothy herself articulated throughout her career: that mentoring is not a task but a relationship. She met faculty on their first day, not to outline expectations but to learn who they were—the way they taught, the research that moved them, the concerns they carried silently. She helped rewrite policies and criteria to ensure fairness. She worked line‑by‑line on tenure dossiers. And she celebrated every promotion, first informally over lunch, and later through more intentional SEHD traditions—because, as she often said, “scholarship is personal before it is procedural.”

Her leadership extended beyond SEHD. As former chair of CU Denver’s Faculty Assembly Minority Affairs Committee for several years, Dorothy guided CU through transitions with steadiness and respect. She centered collaboration, ensuring that staff and faculty shared the same table, the same conversations, and the same sense of belonging. She chaired accreditation teams internationally, mentored doctoral students across disciplines, and carried forward research on inclusive climates, culturally responsive leadership, and the experiences of faculty and students of color.

And yet, when asked how she hopes to be remembered, she did not mention committees, publications, or administrative accomplishments. She said she hopes people remember that she cared.

Retirement and the Road Ahead 

As Garrison-Wade steps into retirement, that care continues to guide her path. She looks forward to reading more, traveling, supporting her family’s business, and savoring the joy of unstructured time—something she has not had in decades. But perhaps most fittingly, she does not see retirement as an end to mentoring. She plans to continue offering guidance to those who seek it, to stay connected to the colleagues who shaped her life, and to remain, in her words, “a part of the work, just in a different way.”

Her influence will continue to ripple outward through the leaders she trained, the faculty she mentored, and the culture she helped build—one grounded in fairness, respect, and authentic connection. SEHD is different because Garrison-Wade was here. CU Denver is stronger because she chose this community as her home.

Her final advice for those who follow in her footsteps is simple, the same guidance she lived herself:

“Be true to yourself.”

It is the legacy she leaves behind—and the one that SEHD faculty, staff, and students she mentored will carry forward.