DU Oral History - Michele (Mike) Bloom Interview Highlights

Michele (Mike) Bloom received her undergraduate degree in speech therapy and a graduate degree from the University of Denver (DU) in special education. In this interview, Mike discusses her unusual career path, how she came to join DU as director of the Health Care Organization and Systems program in 1989 and her transition to lead DU’s Weekend College in 1993. Mike shares how she and others worked to change the name from Weekend College to the Colorado Women’s College (CWC) of the University of Denver. She highlights the intentional focus she placed on learning, diversity and community when she served as dean of CWC. Mike reflects upon the decision by DU to sell the Park Hill campus and to relocate the Women’s College to the main DU campus. She describes her proposal to then Chancellor Ritchie, that a new building to house a center for women’s advancement should be constructed, the unique relationships that developed as a result and the successful capital fundraising campaign she spearheaded. Mike reflects on the values that guided her decision-making: inclusion, optimism, realization of potential, integrity, beauty and respect.