Colorado Scholar Day
Join us for an event specifically for Colorado students who are looking to maximize their potential!
When: 8:30 AM to 4 PM, October 3, 2025
Who it's for: Colorado high school seniors
Where it is: This event will be held at CSU's main campus in Fort Collins at the Lory Student Center
What it is: This event is for students who are interested in reaching their full potential as a scholar, whether it's through academics, student involvement, leadership, or research.
During the day you will learn more about how CSU will support you in reaching your goals. You'll have opportunities to connect with representatives from academic programs and campus resource offices. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible!
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Check-In |
| 9:00 AM – 9:20 AM | Welcome Session |
| 9:35 – 10:15 AM | College Mock Lecture/Lab Experience (Students Only) OR Faculty Panel (Families Only) |
| 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Honors Presentation |
| 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Student Research Presentation and Panel |
| 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Resource Fair |
| 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch on Campus |
| 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Office of Financial Aid Presentation |
| 2:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Campus Tour |
Each academic experience session has capacity limitations so we can create an engaging opportunity for our guests. Upon check-in, you will select which session you’d like to attend.
| Session Host | Session Title | Session Description |
|---|---|---|
| College of Agricultural Sciences | Introduction to International Agriculture Issues: Addressing Global Challenges at the Intersection of Food Security, Agriculture, and Sustainability | This interactive session will introduce the concepts of food security and sustainability. Participants will explore the connections between local and global challenges at the intersection of food security, agriculture, and sustainability and how they are being addressed by innovators in the field of international agriculture. |
| College of Business | Business For A Better World | Join us at the College of Business for a Tour and Student Panel. |
| College of Health & Human Sciences | Design Your Success | Design Thinking can be applied to any course of study, translating your academics to your career. Visit CSU’s hub for creativity and problem-solving, the Nancy Richardson Design Center, where Design Thinking comes to life with these steps: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. This mock lecture experience will help you design your holistic college experience and prepare you to optimize your health and well-being as you find your life-changing energy at CSU and beyond. |
| College of Liberal Arts | Leadership and Community in the Liberal Arts: Blake Leadership Scholars Program Mock-Seminar | Learn about the premier scholarship and leadership program in the College of Liberal Arts, the Blake Leadership Scholars, and participate in a mock-first-year-seminar hosted by the program’s current faculty mentor. |
| College of Natural Sciences | Biology Teaching Collection Tour | Discover the CSU Biology Teaching Collection which is home to over 13,000 specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and invertebrates. In this tour experience, explore the incredible diversity of life up close, connect classroom concepts to the real world, and see how CSU students help keep this collection thriving. Come get inspired! |
| College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences | Virtual Reality Lab: Start here to launch your career in Health or Medicine | Come experience how our immersive virtual reality lab elevates the experience in our human anatomy Biomedical Sciences programs. |
| School of Global Environmental Sustainability | Systems Thinking Solutions for Sustainability Problems | Students will learn briefly about Systems Thinking in this mock lecture experience and then break out into a problem solving exercise. |
| Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering | Thinking Algorithmically | This mock lecture experience introduces the concept of algorithms as structured, step-by-step instructions for solving problems efficiently. Using a phonebook search as an example, it contrasts slow linear methods with faster binary search techniques, emphasizing how problem size affects solution time. The lecture also explores algorithmic thinking through pseudocode and flowcharts, illustrating how decisions and processes are represented visually and logically. |
| Warner College of Natural Resources | Exploring the Power of GIS: Mapping and Problem-Solving in Action | Join Warner College for an interactive introduction to Geospatial Information Science (GIS) for Natural Resources. Through a hands-on activity, you’ll see how geospatial tools are used to analyze real-world data, solve environmental challenges, and support decision-making. This mock lesson offers a glimpse into the type of innovative, applied learning you’ll experience as a CSU student. |
| Participants |
|---|
| College of Liberal Arts |
| College of Natural Sciences |
| Warner College of Natural Resources |
| Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering |
| Scott Scholars Program |
| College of Business |
| School of Global Environmental Sustainability |
| College of Health and Human Sciences |
| Educator Preparation |
| Richardson Design Center |
| College of Agricultural Sciences |
| College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences-Undergraduate Programs |
| University Honors Program |
| Office of Undergraduate Research |
| Cultural Resources Center |
| Health Professions Advising |
| Rams Against Hunger/Basic Needs |
| President’s Leadership Program |
The Lory Student Center is located at 1101 Center Ave Mall, Fort Collins, CO 80521. Two parking lots are nearby, Lot 425 to the south of the building at 550 Hughes Way, and Lot 310 (Engineering Parking Lot) to the north off 401 W. Laurel Street.
If you are traveling from Interstate 25 or College Avenue/Highway U.S. 287, we recommend taking Prospect Road (exit 268) and following GPS directions to the parking lots.
- Our events are popular and fill quickly. We encourage you to sign up for your event before you book your travel arrangements.
- Dress appropriately as you will be outside touring campus during your visit.
- We’re here rain or shine! You’ll be notified via text if the weather does impact your visit. Keep up to date by checking CSU’s safety website.
- Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and be kind to yourself as you are at 5,000 feet of elevation.
- Explore Fort Collins to make the most of your visit. Get tips from students and locals!
Coming from out of town?
For those traveling to Fort Collins by air, Denver International Airport is the closest major airport to Fort Collins. We are about 65 miles north of the airport, and there are several options for transportation following your flight.
Need a place to stay? Learn more about lodging in Fort Collins.
We continuously try to make our campus a vibrant and welcoming space. Please check the following information before your visit.
- For the health of our university community, no smoking, vaping or tobacco products can be used on Colorado State University campuses. The city of Fort Collins is also smoke free.
- Colorado State University’s Principles of Community help us express what our community stands for and guide our expectations for not only our students and staff, but also our guests. These values are inclusion, integrity, respect, service, and social justice.
- With the exception of service animals and approved emotional support animals, animals are not allowed to be inside university buildings or tied up outside. All pets must be on a leash in outdoor areas. See the full animal policy here.
- CSU acknowledges that the land we are on today is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Nations and peoples. You can view our land acknowledgment to learn more.
What if we’re running late?
Late check-in will be available, but several hundred guests for this event, we encourage you to arrive early. We don’t want you to miss a thing! Classes will be in session, so there will be additional on-campus traffic. Additionally, the interstate can be unpredictable, among other factors. We strive to make check-in as easy and quick as possible, though lines will likely be unavoidable at times.
Can I bring my parents, caregiver or siblings?
Yes! Family and caregivers are welcome to join you for this event.
What if there is a weather emergency?
In the event CSU is closed due to weather, all registrants will receive a text notification of the event’s cancellation, and a notice will be posted at safety.colostate.edu. It is rare for CSU to close due to weather due to our well-equipped facilities department, but we want you to make the decision whether to attend based on your circumstances and comfort.
What should I wear?
We recommend you wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather. You may be a part of sessions that are both indoors and outdoors, especially if you choose to take the campus tour.
I cannot find the confirmation email after registering. Where do I find it?
Please contact [email protected] for your confirmation email to be re-sent.
My parents or caregiver registered me under a different name. How can I change my name on the registration?
Please contact [email protected] they will be able to assist with changing the name in the registration.
Contact our admissions events team at [email protected].