Energy and excitement radiated through the Lola and Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center on April 1 for CU Denver’s largest Admitted Students Day to date. Nearly 300 recently accepted undergraduate students and their families attended the day of celebration and interactive, information-based activities to prepare them for life as a Lynx. Admitted Students Day was thoughtfully planned by the Undergraduate Admissions Office and made possible by the collaboration of nearly every department and unit on campus.
“Our goal was to holistically bring the campus experience to these students,” said Ashley Weatherspoon, director of recruitment. “It really takes the entire CU Denver community to pull something like this off.”
Gabriel Castaño, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment, added, “Student success begins with college choice and in students selecting their right-fit institution. Events like Admitted Students Day help students to make connections on campus, discover resources that are available, and above all, to be excited and confident about their decision to join the CU Denver community.”
Itinerary Allows Students to Explore All Aspects of Campus Life
In just one day, students and their families got a true taste of life as a CU Denver student. Dr. Monique Snowden, senior vice chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success, kicked off a welcome session, followed by representatives from First-Year Experiences and Lynx Connect, which houses the Career Center, Internships, Global Education, and Undergraduate Research offices.
Next, attendees “chose their own adventure,” with the option to attend a mock lecture in the Business School, an interactive College of Arts & Media expo, a design innovation workshop, a tour of the College of Architecture and Planning, or a School of Public Affairs panel on policies and practices. In between sessions, students received tours of campus, ate lunch from the City Heights Dining Hall, attended an information fair featuring dozens of student-facing departments—including colleges and schools, the Center for Identify and Inclusion, Student Government Association, Career Center, Veteran and Military Student Services, and Transfer initiatives—and learned about areas critical to their decision, such as safety and financial aid.
Student Mia Frederico, a senior at DSST: Byers Middle & High School in Denver, knew she wanted to attend CU Denver the moment she toured the College of Arts & Media. Of all the universities she researched, CU Denver was one of only two that offered a degree in music business. “This is the school I want to go to,” Frederico said.
Her friend, Kaylee Rodriguez, also a senior at DSST: Byers Middle & High School in Denver, was excited to learn that CU Denver has on-campus housing dedicated to first-year students. “I also wasn’t aware about all of the study abroad opportunities, which I am so excited about,” she said.
Supporting CU Denver’s Mission to Make Education Work for All
Though the Undergraduate Admissions Office has hosted smaller-scale events for admitted students in the past, this year’s event marked the first in-person Admitted Students Day, and by far the largest. Those involved in planning the event said Admitted Students Day is a testament to CU Denver’s collective focus on becoming an equity-serving institution that offers an education for all.
“Getting people on campus is so important,” said Alex Slaughter, an admissions counselor for out-of-state students. “It makes students’ decision so much easier because they get a feel for the environment and feel the sense of pride that exists here.”