Ask DU!

What are some of the academic resources in Student Life?

The Academic Resources area consists of three departments: Academic Advising and Discoveries Orientation (AADO), the Disability Services Program (DSP), and the Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP). The AADO staff will assist you in course planning, understanding institutional policies, and transitioning into your college experience. Learn more about our centralized academic advising resources.

The DSP staff will assist you in understanding how to access and use your academic and other accommodations if you have a documented disability, medical condition, learning disability, or other experiences that may impact your learning. Learn more about the DSP.

The LEP program is a fee-for-service program that offers assistance in understanding your learning style, academic support including work with an academic counselor and an organization specialist, and subject specific tutoring.  Learn more about the LEP and how the staff can help you meet your goals!

Saying YES to Opportunity

From our current Media Fellow and Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President, Parker Calbert, on one of her last days as an undergraduate at DU...

It is my last Monday as a DU undergraduate. As I prepare for final tests and papers, it is hard not to feel a bit nostalgic. The past four years have been nothing shy of incredible. I struggle to engrain each of the wonderful memories and adventures into my mind as souvenirs. Inevitably, I am bound to forget some of them. Nevertheless, I am grateful for each day, each experience, each challenge, each opportunity that the University of Denver has provided for me. So, that is what I will speak about at Graduation on Saturday as the student commencement speaker. There is not enough time at Graduation to recount every laugh, triumph and tear. Instead, I will encourage my peers to continue saying YES to opportunity even as our opportunities as an undergraduate at the University of Denver draw to a close.

For those of you who will not be at Graduation, here is what I will share:

Good Morning!  I’m Parker Calbert, your Undergraduate Student Body Vice President and let me be one of the first to say… Congratulations to the class of 2013!   Whether we have been together for four years or just a few since you transferred to DU, we have had a college experience filled with excitement and opportunity. I know for me, opportunity arrived at my door in the form of an acceptance letter in early 2009. I can still remember ripping open the envelope, scrambling to unfold the paper and feeling a wave of excitement rush over me when I read the word ‘Congratulations’. Reflecting on this treasured memory, I can remember being so naïve about all that was in store for us at the University of Denver.

For me, my college career can be summed up in one word. Opportunity.  Last fall, our university had the unbelievable opportunity to host the first Presidential Debate of 2012. When I was asked if I was interested in helping organize the debate, I immediately responded YES and jumped into full planning mode. We were going to need students as volunteers and events to build excitement and giveaway items to commemorate the day and ways to plan for everything we couldn’t think of. Planning the debate often felt like trying to assemble a bicycle as the tires rolled down the hill ahead of you. Moving parts were simply the name of the game. Yet, when it was all said and done, when Jim Lehrer delivered his send off “Thank you and good night University of Denver” while sitting right about where I am standing now, that is when I understood what opportunity truly meant at DU.

Standing before you today, I still find myself a bit starry-eyed about what the past four years as an undergraduate at DU has meant to me. As I am certain many of you can relate, college has been about an opportunity to meet extraordinary people and cultivate meaningful relationships; an opportunity to challenge myself intellectually and through life experiences such as studying abroad; an opportunity to ask myself, what is it that I am truly passionate about.

Today marks the end of our chapter as undergraduates. It is most certainly bittersweet to cherish the memories of our undergraduate career knowing that there really is no other comparable experience in life. Nevertheless, as we cross this stage today, we are greeted by our next opportunity. The opportunity to take everything we have learned, felt, and experienced as an undergraduate at DU and develop it into our life’s purpose. It’s more than simply finding a job - though that certainly takes some stress off of things, and makes our parents happy. It is about pursuing the opportunity to wake up each morning and absolutely love what you do. For me, opportunity means continuing to find ways to serve my community and enrich the lives of those around me. For you, opportunity may mean something entirely different - like accounting. Regardless, a wise friend and role-model once explained, life is never easy, but it is simple. When we say YES to opportunity, simple things like an acceptance letter in the mail provide unbelievable adventures. I look forward to hearing about your future adventures and I’m happy to have shared this one with you.  

So Class of 2013, thank you for an amazing four years. It has been quite THE opportunity.

Parker Calbert - Media Fellow, Undergraduate Admission; Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President; and 2013 Graduate!!

What were some of the highlights of this year's Diversity Summit?

DU kicked off this year’s Summit with a keynote address by Pedro Noguera. His lecture on Education, Racial Inequality, and the Future of American Democracy explored the role of public schools as we aspire to true equality. Noguera argued that there are ways to preserve and improve the quality of a school despite location or the socio-economic status of its students. By outlining existing partnerships between universities and public schools, Noguera challenged the attendees to consider how strong scholastic networks can help fulfill more student needs.

The Friday morning keynote speaker, Deputy Director of the Colorado Fiscal Institute Kathy White, led a lecture and Q&A session on the consequences of measuring well-being with economic growth indicators. The Colorado Fiscal Institute is developing a General Progress Indicator (GPI) to measure economic strength with due consideration to social and environmental factors. Unlike Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GPI takes into account inequality, economic disparity, and other indicators of social and economic well-being. While a Colorado GPI is still in the works, we hope that the metric will help us understand where the state is heading in terms of racial and ethnic disparities and steps that the community can take to try to remedy inequality.

Friday consisted of over 20 different workshops held on campus. Two graduate students employed by the Center for Multicultural Excellence led a workshop on campus movements in the age of social media. The workshop included a brief history of impactful campus movements from the Greensboro Sit-Ins in 1960 to the National Day of Action to Defend Public Education in 2010. Participants learned about the different types of organizing and then took part in a hypothetical activity dealing with on-campus discrimination. A discussion following the activity explored strategies that students and alumni can use to inspire social change locally and globally. 

On Saturday, the final day of the Summit, the University hosted over 350 students from Monroe Elementary for the newest addition to the Diversity Summit, the Day of Action. 120 DU volunteers helped students and their families better understand the process of preparing for college. Visitors toured residence halls and discussed the college experience with DU students, faculty, and staff.

If you would like to learn more about how the University of Denver facilitates change, please explore the CME website and be sure to check out the Forward campaign, which provides opportunities for DU affiliates to learn skills for effectively participating in inclusive excellence initiatives. 

Thank you to the attendees, planning committee members, presenters, sponsors and others who helped to make this year’s Summit successful!

What are some of the ways I can learn about different cultures on campus?

As the cultural capital of the Rocky Mountain region, there is always something going on in Denver! Whether it is great concerts coming through town, different sporting events or activities taking place on the DU campus there are lots of options. Last weekend was no exception!  

The annual Festival of Nations is the largest student-led event on campus each year and marks the culmination of International Education Week, a celebration of the countries and cultures represented on the DU campus. The free event on April 16^th marked the 30th anniversary of this tradition which gives students from around the world the opportunity to share their cultures with the University and Denver communities and helps foster global dialogue. 

“It was great to see both international and domestic students working together at this year’s Festival of Nations! I think this is a great opportunity to continue the conversation about internationalization on our campus. Even though I attended the festival as an undergraduate, the diversity of booths and performances far exceeded my expectations” said Alea Benson-Littlejohn.

This year’s event highlighted booths, all with an international theme, that represented various student cultural groups as well as student organizations and those from throughout the Denver community. Attendees experienced the diversity of international cultures represented at DU by enjoying the traditional clothing, products, crafts and food displayed by the students. Cultural performances, including traditional dancers from Mexico, music and dancing from Senegal and a global fashion show were also part of the celebration. Hundreds of community members enjoyed the Festival of Nations, which raised more than $320 for the African Community Center, a Denver organization which assists in the resettlement of refugees.

Ali Klein - International Student Admission

 

 

 

Colorado Leadership Alliance

How do you learn about leadership? A group of DU students from the Pioneer Leadership Program attended the annual Colorado Leadership Alliance Summit during Winter Quarter to investigate how you learn about leadership. What they discovered is that collaboration and community partnerships wield future leadership.

The Colorado Leadership Alliance is an association dedicated to uniting leadership programs across the state to promote academic and experiential learning opportunities for professional leadership. As a member organization, DU joins Colorado State University-Ft. Collins, Colorado State University Pueblo, Johnson & Wales University, the United States Air Force Academy, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, University of Colorado-Denver, University of Northern Colorado and Regis University in supporting the development of the next generation of Colorado leaders through the collaboration between academic programs and the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

As a DU participant in the CLA summit, I engaged with leadership professionals to exchange best practices and to work together towards common community goals. The CLA summit challenged my academic understanding of leadership through case studies and competitions. Along with several of my DU peers, I even won the opportunity to present to the Colorado Lieutenant Governor our policy recommendations for future childhood nutrition initiatives.

Students representing the Pioneer Leadership Program at the Colorado Leadership Alliance Summit circle up for a group photo. 

The CLA summit is one of the many opportunities DU students have to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. The Pioneer Leadership Program cultivates today’s students to be tomorrow’s professional leaders. Check out their website to learn more about the Pioneer Leadership Program or the Colorado Leadership Alliance.

Parker Calbert - Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President/Media Fellow, Undergraduate Admission

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow... Winter Carnival @ DU!

One of my favorite traditions at DU is Winter Carnival. The DU Programming Board (DUPB) hosts a week packed with fun winter-related activities both on and off-campus. The week kicks off on campus with a medallion scavenger hunt for lift ticket prizes, a winter wonderland craft evening, and a chili cook-off between student teams complemented by karaoke and performances by our DU a capella groups. Then, the Winter Carnival festivities head off-campus and up to the mountains where DUPB has arranged for students to stay at hotels for reduced rates and participate in several fun outdoor activities!

For our avid skiers and snowboarders, Winter Carnival provides reduced lift ticket rates and meal vouchers. For individuals who prefer to soak up the fresh mountain air off the slopes, Winter Carnival arranges tubing, ice-skating and s’mores making around an outdoor fire pit. Additionally, the concerts division of DUPB keep the Winter Carnival festivities rocking into the evening with a large concert.

Nothing complements chili like cornbread and good friends!

 

Whether you are on track to be the next American Idol or reserve your vocal talents for your morning shower, Winter Carnival karaoke is the time to shine and share a few laughs with your DU community.

 

We love to lace up our skates and glide around the ice with friends at Winter Carnival. DU alumna Michelle Kwan would even be proud of how much fun we have on the ice, striking a pose!

 

Caution: tubing will induce lively shrills and booming laughter, so remember to zip up that coat or you WILL have a face full of SNOW.

 

This is why we live here.

 

Beyond all the organized events, I absolutely love the laughter-filled memories you create during the weekend in the mountains. Since over 1,000 undergraduates and graduate students attend, it is fair to say that Winter Carnival is one our favorite weekends of Winter Quarter each year!

Parker Calbert - Media Fellow, Undergraduate Admission and Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President

Transfer Pioneers

MEET MICHAEL 

Michael has a passion for music. His college career has largely revolved around pursuing this passion and this passion ultimately led Michael to the University of Denver. While Michael knew that he was entering into a fantastic program when he transferred to the Lamont School of Music, he was pleasantly surprised to find a welcoming DU community to complement the renowned academic programs. “Days after transferring to DU, I felt a strong sense of community at DU,” explains Michael. “It never mattered that I was a transfer student. Amidst me were other transfers, student athletes, first-years through seniors. Individually and together, we are each PIONEERS.”

 

MEET BRITTANY

Brittany is a non-traditional transfer student in that she was not enrolled in another university prior to DU. Brittany had graduated from an EMT program before embarking on her journey at DU. Her assimilation into the DU community greatly benefited from the tremendous transfer resources and outreach organizations.  Brittany shared, “I think probably the biggest resources I utilized, especially at the beginning, was really taking advantage of transfer student orientation. My orientation leader was awesome and she was really able to answer my questions.” Outside of orientation, the Pioneer Transfer Alliance is a student organization dedicated to assisting transfer students. “The Pioneer Transfer Alliance has been a fun way to get together with other transfer students and share stories about our transfer experiences.”  

Learn more about the transfer student experience in an upcoming student video!

Parker Calbert - Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President and Undergraduate Admission Media Fellow

Staying in the know

The University of Denver is settling into the swing of things - it’s a new year and the beginning of our Winter Quarter. Although it’s only the second week back to school, student life is in full effect with many different events and activities happening on campus. Fortunately, students can stay in the know about what is taking place on campus by staying up to date with the Pioneer Calendar.

The Pioneer Calendar is a resource created for and directed towards our students. Its Google Calendar format enables students to download the calendar directly to their electronic devices to ensure students don’t miss out on any wonderful events. Additionally, the Undergraduate Student Government synthesize student life events and activities in a weekly email to students.

Take a peek at the Pioneer Calendar today for a glimpse into DU student life!

Parker Calbert - Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President and Undergraduate Admission Media Fellow

You're Invited!

Each fall, Chancellor Coombe invites every first-year student to dinner, all 1,142 of them! It is a tradition here at the University of Denver and it is a wonderful opportunity to meet the chancellor alongside a group of your peers and in the impressive setting of the Ritchie Center tower. In addition to enjoying some good eats, the chancellor shares a bit of DU history with attendees, and Julanna Gilbert — the chancellor’s wife, a carillonneur, a chemistry faculty member and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning — invites students to join her at the top of the bell tower for a quick carillon bell lesson. As freshman Andrew Cocanour shared with DU Today, “I did not know that DU has been around since nearly the beginning of the city of Denver’s foundation.”

The chancellor hosts 15 dinners in total over the course of our ten-week fall quarter; various alumni, faculty, and staff also join the chancellor in welcoming students to the DU family at these events. For a peek at what you can expect from this engaging DU tradition, check out the pictures below!

Parker Calbert - Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President and Undergraduate Admission Media Fellow

 

What kind of interterm classes are offered at DU?

Final papers are submitted, exams finished and the DU community has completed another great quarter…. now what?! While many welcome the break after an active ten weeks, the six-week winter break doesn’t have to be spent away from the DU community. DU offers excellent interterm courses. These courses provide experiential learning and further students’ academic careers.

To help explain the benefits of the interterm courses, four current students have shared their interterm experiences below.

 

Rachel Cook

1. Which class did you take?

“Stress Management” through the Daniels College of Business

 2. Why did you decide to take the interterm course?

At first, it was because I needed the credit and a course in Aspen sounded awesome, but after talking to people who had taken it in the past and hearing it was the best class offered at DU... I started to get the idea I was in for something great. 

3. Favorite part of the course?

Besides the location? The instructors. I have never felt a connection like I did with both Diana (the professor in Aspen) and Alexa (the chef and yoga instructor). I still talk to them to this day. They have changed my view on life for the better, they have made me a better person. I couldn't thank them enough. 

4. What did you take away from the class? What are the benefits?

I learned who I am; the good, the bad, and the horrendous. I taught myself how to wake up every single day, stoked on life and ready to take onethe world. I know that sounds so cheesy but it's true. It's the little things I learned that week that have altered my life in the best of ways. I now know how to conquer school on a minimal stress level and how to balance everything I want to happen in my daily life. But most of all, I found my purpose. If you don't believe me, take the course... and if you do, tell Diana that Rachel says hi! 

 

Ariel Bravo

 

1. Which class did you take?

“Getting Results Inside the Beltway for Public Policy” through the Institute for Public Policy

2. Why did you decide to take the interterm course?

I decided to take the class because I heard great things about this class from my peers who had taken  the course before. I also liked that we were meeting with so many professionals - I saw it as a good networking opportunity.

3. Favorite part of the course?

My favorite part of the course was hearing about the industry that I want to work in from the people who are already involved. Meeting with these individuals really aided in understanding the financial crisis, and how it is perceived differently for groups.

4. What did you take away from the class? What are the benefits?

I took away a much stronger understanding of the political world. It benefited my professional network immensely, and I would definitely suggest this course for anyone interested in politics or policy.

 

Gretchen Cook

1. Which class did you take?

“Derivatives in Chicago” and “A Walk Down Wall Street in New York” through the Daniels College of Business

2. Why did you decide to take the interterm course?

The classes offered a unique learning experience and fit well with my schedule. 

3. Favorite part of the course?

I LOVED the “Chicago Derivatives” course. I learned a great deal and enjoyed how the class enabled students to understand the fundamentals by implementing them in the real world through Think or Swim. Additionally, the “Walk Down Wall Street” course offered a true perspective of the financial  realm of business today.

4. What did you take away from the class? What are the benefits?

The Chicago course allows students to network while learning the concepts of derivative investments and how to create strategies. The New York class allows students to network while getting a first-hand look into a financial career. 

 

Joey Leon

1. Which class did you take?

“Leadership and Sustainability in Belize” through the Pioneer Leadership Program

2. Why did you decide to take the interterm course?

I decided to take the class because, due to other obligations, I was unable to do the traditional study abroad experience so many students at DU take advantage of. This seemed like a great way to go abroad and learn without taking a whole quarter off. 

3. Favorite part of the course?

My favorite partwas the ability to really see all of Belize and meet the people who are living and working there. It gave me a unique opportunity to see problems and solutions from all sides. 

4. What did you take away from the class? What are the benefits? 

I took away from the class that there are numerous ways to solve the world’s problems and that the US can't do it all. The benefits of an interterm course are the ability to get credits and experience abroad without having to leave for an entire quarter.

 

For a full listing of interterm courses, visit the Special Programs Website!

Parker Calbert – Media Fellow-Undergraduate Admission and Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President