Academic Services and Programs

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• Learning Communities
• Office of International Programs

• The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT)

Learning Communities at CSU 

CSU offers students a variety of residential and non-residential Learning Communities and Residential Theme Programs that bring cohorts of students together in shared learning experiences. Learning Communities integrate curricular (co-enrollment in classes) and co-curricular learning in order to provide a supportive, academically-focused environment that cultivates a sense of community and empowers students to become engaged citizens on campus and in the community.

In partnership with University Housing, Residential Learning Communities and Theme Communities are in many of the residence halls, offering a unique residential experience consisting of special interest areas that help build positive communities with students who share similar academic or personal interests and/or lifestyles. These communities connect students with faculty and staff who engage students in their learning and provide information about opportunities available at CSU.

Residential Learning Communities include:

Align Scientific Learning Community: The mission of the Align Learning Community is to cultivate an inclusive community of scientists committed to improving the health of animals, people, and the planet. We fulfill this mission through exploration of identity, values, and leadership. This community is for incoming undergraduate students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which includes students majoring in Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience. As a Residential Learning Community, students will have the opportunity to live together on-campus in Laurel Village-Alpine Hall.

Arts and Creative Expression Residential Learning Community: (ACE) The ACE RLC in Parmelee Hall provides students in the visual and performing arts, a collaborative environment in which to grow creatively.  The ACE members will strengthen the bonds of their cohort by taking a common class together from the Liberal Arts, “Questions for Human Flourishing.” Students will learn to become strong advocates of the arts and will have opportunities to participate in service-learning programs and outings such as gallery walks, museum visits, and live performances both on and off campus. The ACE RLC is open to first year students majoring in Art, Music, Dance, and Theatre. Pre-music majors do not qualify.

Amplify Learning Community (College of Natural Sciences): In Amplify we hope to create a space where transformation is possible by showing how our differences are powerful and amplified when connected in a community. We believe that science is shaped by the people who do it, highlighting the importance of having diverse perspectives in science and at CSU. Students in Amplify live together in Laurel Village - Pinon Hall, one of CSU’s newest residential buildings - specifically designed for science students. Pinon offers classrooms, faculty and advising offices, whiteboard walls, and ample study and hang-out spaces. Students in Amplify participate in ongoing experiences connecting into different parts of campus, and have the option to participate in events, excursions, and study groups all aiming at connecting science to their lives and the world. Within Amplify, there are some smaller cluster experiences, including Amplify Psychology, Amplify Pride, as well as a floor for people who identify as women.

Engineering Residential Learning Community: The Engineering Residential Learning Community (ERLC) in Academic Village offers Engineering students an academically supportive and fun environment. Residents can take advantage of in-house design studios, collaborative work rooms, an electronic classroom, as well as  Engineering-specific tutoring and academic advising. In addition, students who choose to live in the ERLC also have the opportunity to engage with a live-in faculty-in-residence, Graduate Academic Coaches (GACs), and Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering Peer Mentors on a daily basis to help them with their transition to CSU and their major. Currently, this community is limited to Engineering majors and a small population of Exploratory Studies: Engineering Interest majors only.  

Health and Exercise Science Residential Learning Community: In the Health & Exercise Science (HES) Residential Learning Community, students live with other students who are taking the same courses, have similar career goals, and who are often vested in living active and healthy lifestyles. Living in the HES community will allow for residents to connect with each other academically and socially through engaging University Housing programming. The HES community is conveniently located in Corbett Hall, across the street from Moby B Complex where students have access to a computer lab, where major courses are offered, and where the Department of Health & Exercise Science is located. In the fall, students in the community will take HES 145  together as a cluster. In the spring students will take HES 202 and/or HES 207 as a cluster. The HES Community is open to first-year students who are declared as HES majors at CSU. 

Honors Residential Learning Community: (HRLC) The HRLC offers incoming Honors students an opportunity to connect with the Honors program and live with students who share their interests. While not required, many Honors first year students elect to live in the HRLC in Academic Village (Honors Hall) or Edwards Hall. There, Honors staff and residence assistants guide students to success.  

Key Communities: The Key Communities are learning communities for first-year, second-year, and continuing students designed to honor the identities and strengths of each student to foster the transition to and through CSU. The Key Communities are one of the most diverse communities on campus, with many first-generation students and students of color who are committed to creating and nurturing inclusive environments that welcome, value and affirm the diverse identities of our students. Key offers two options for first-year students: the Key Residential Learning Community and The Key Learning Community. The Key Residential Learning Community provides interdisciplinary seminar options to students from a variety of majors, and students live in Braiden Hall. The Key Learning Community is for students who desire to participate in the Key Communities, have a University Housing exemption, or would like to live in any residence hall on-campus. Key Plus serves second year and continuing students. Key Plus is an academically-focused learning community that works closely with students to develop strong leadership and career decision-making skills. Key Plus is an optional second-year and continuing student program for students who are or have participated in the Key Communities or Community for Excellence program. These community options include Key Plus Pathways Track, Key Plus LEADS Track, and Key Plus Discover Track. 

Natural Resources - Warner College of Natural Resources Residential Learning Communities: Warner College of Natural Resources offers the opportunity to participate in Residential Learning Community (RLC) options that support first-year student leadership development in natural resources. Students live and learn together; network with natural resources faculty, graduate students, student leaders, and community members; and gain professional development in natural resources and leadership. Students also participate in professional development experiences to expand their knowledge and skills, take part in career exploration in their chosen fields of study, and engage in service learning. The program offers linked enrollment in special sections of NR 192  and CO 150 . Warner RLC experiences also include a common reading, and programming at the CSU Environmental Learning Center  to further foster academic and social engagement.  

Residential Theme Communities include:

Learning communities without a residential requirement include:

Wolves to Rams (W2R) Learning Community: The Wolves to Rams Learning Community is a non-residential program that provides advising, scholarships, stipends, workshops, mentorship, and paid research training to students in STEM transferring from Front Range Community College to CSU. Low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students are particularly encouraged to participate.

Office of International Programs 

Offices in Laurel Hall
(970) 491-5917

The Office of International Programs (OIP) fosters intercultural understanding through high-impact learning and community engagement in support of CSU’s land grant mission. OIP’s broad array of programs and services provide international experiences for CSU students, scholars, faculty and staff. Services include Education Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, Global Institutional Partnerships, International Development Studies, Curricular and Co-curricular programs, the International Enrollment Center, Programs for Learning Academic and Community English (PLACE), and CSU’s Todos Santos Center in Mexico. 

The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) 

Offices in the TILT Building
(970) 491-3132

The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) supports students' academic success and pursuit of long-term goals through several curricular and co-curricular learning programs. Tutoring, study groups, and Learning Assistants help students succeed in challenging courses. Serving as a TILT tutor, study group leader, or learning assistant allows students to take up academic leadership roles, learn course material very deeply, and gain experience relevant to prospective employers, graduate programs, and internships. Academic success workshops, such as time management, exam preparation, and learning strategies, help students improve study skills and learn about topics of interest. Through TILT, students can participate in service-learning opportunities or in undergraduate research and artistry projects with faculty mentoring. National research has shown that taking part in these opportunities improves learning, increases academic achievement, and promotes connections with faculty and other mentors who often help students achieve professional and personal goals.