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 students transition to and through the University. The Key Communities are one of the most diverse communities on campus, with many of the students identifying as a student of color and/or first generation to college, who are committed to creating and nurturing inclusive environments that welcome, value and affirm the diverse identities of our students. This type of environment is created through student engagement in conversations, programs, and educational opportunities centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
As a community of leaders, Key students:
• Participate in dialogue focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice
• Establish meaningful relationships
• Apply leadership skills in a college setting
• Connect with a diverse community
• Engage in personal exploration
Key students participate in a Key Seminar course, which focus on learning through experiences both in and out of the classroom. Key Students will learn how to connect and blend topics from two or more subject areas to learn how to think critically across disciplines. Key students may also connect with service opportunities, career exploration, and leadership development through their Key Seminar experience.
Key students and enroll in 2-3 of their first semester courses with a smaller group of Key students. Key students also have a Key Mentor to connect with throughout their experience as a Key Community student at Colorado State University.
In partnership with the Community for Excellence (C4E) the Key Communities reserves a portion of our spaces for C4E Students. The Key Communities and the Community for Excellence are a major component of CSU’s Student Success Initiatives (Links to an external site.), which work toward creating equitable educational environments inside and outside of the classroom.
