Western Viewbook 2021 by Western Colorado University

WESTERN VIEWBOOK

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 LEARN BY DOING 5 6 8 11

The World is Our Classroom Areas of Study STEM at Western Financial Aid

14 THRIVE AT WESTERN 19 20 23 25

Programs & Services Academic Resources Residence Life Athletics

26 GET INVOLVED 27 30 32

Clubs & Organizations Sustainability Students & Alumni

34 APPLY NOW

Follow us on social media to explore our beautiful campus, find out about upcoming events, connect with fellow Mountaineers and celebrate all the reasons students choose to #GoWestern.

Facebook: @WesternColoradoUniversity Instagram: @westerncoloradouniversity LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/ western-colorado-university Twitter: @WesternColoU

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TikTok: @westerncou

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LEARN BY DOING We value applied, real-world experience at Western, within and beyond our classrooms. Before students graduate, they work in labs, complete internships and contribute meaningful work for professional organizations. Small class sizes, engaged faculty and strong community relations enable students in all disciplines to gain hands-on experience that prepares them for life after college.

The World is Our Classroom

Internship Opportunities

David Dieckhaus

Field & Lab Research

Katy Mooney

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Hands-On Coursework

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GRADUATE

UNDERGRADUATE

Master of Arts in Education • Educator Effectiveness • Principal Licensure • Teacher Licensure

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Environmental Science (Minor)

Accounting (Major & Minor) • Financial Analysis • Professional

Geography & Geospatial Analysis (Minor) • Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Master of Arts in Gallery & Museum Management Graduate Program in Creative Writing (MFA or M.A.) • Genre Fiction • Nature Writing • Poetry • Publishing • Screenwriting Master in Environmental Management (MEM) • Global Sustainability • Integrative & Public Land Management • Sustainable & Resilient Communities Master of Science in Ecology • Ecology & Conservation • Fisheries & Wildlife Management Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science, High Altitude Exercise Physiology M.A. in Special Education MBA, Outdoor Industry • Product Concentration • Service Concentration MBS in Rural Community Health

HONORS PROGRAM Available to students of all majors with highly competitive grades and test scores, our Honors Program offers a distinctive core of courses that give exceptional students new views of the arts and humanities. These students benefit from small classes and close faculty guidance in an intimate Honors community setting. For more information, visit western.edu/honors.

Anthropology (Major & Minor) Art (Major & Minor) • Art History & Theory • Graphic Design • K-12 Licensure • Web Design & Development (Minor) • Studio Art Business Administration (Major & Minor) • Energy Management (Emphasis & Minor) • Finance • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Emphasis & Minor) • Latin American Business • Management • Marketing • Resort Management • Business Analytics (Minor) • Business Law (Minor) • Sales (Minor) Communication Arts (Major & Minor) • Communication • Film Studies • Strategic Communication • Film (Minor) • Public Relations (Minor) • Theatre (Emphasis & Minor) Economics (Major & Minor) • Secondary Licensure Elementary Education (Major) • Diversity, Equality & Inclusivity • Global Citizenship • Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math English (Major & Minor) • Creative Writing (Emphasis & Minor) • Secondary Licensure • Humanities & Diversity (Minor) Environment & Sustainability (Major & Minor) • Individualized Contract • Water Studies

History (Major & Minor) • Public History • Secondary Licensure Latin American Studies (Minor) Music (Major & Minor) • K-12 Licensure • Business • Music Technology (Minor) Philosophy (Minor) Politics & Government (Major & Minor) • Global Studies • Pre-Law (Emphasis & Minor) • Secondary Licensure Psychology (Major & Minor) • Clinical, Counseling & School Psychology • Experimental Recreation & Outdoor Education (Major & Minor) • Outdoor Environmental Education • Outdoor Leadership • Recreation Sociology (Major & Minor) • Criminal Justice Spanish (Major & Minor) • K-12 Licensure

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS Art (Major) • Ceramics • Graphic Design • Jewelry • Painting • Photography • Printmaking • Sculpture

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Biology (Major & Minor) • Environmental Biology & Ecology • General Biology • Pre-Med/Cell & Molecular • Pre-Nursing • Pre-Physical Therapy • Secondary Licensure • Wildlife & Conservation Chemistry (Major & Minor) • Biochemistry • General Chemistry • Secondary Licensure Computer Science (Major & Minor) • Information Security • Scientific Computing • Software Engineering • Web Design & Development (Minor) Exercise & Sport Science (Major & Minor) • Clinical Exercise Science • Health & Fitness • K-12 Licensure, PE (Emphasis & Minor) • Sport & Fitness Management • Sport Psychology (Minor) Geology (Major & Minor) • Environmental Geology • Geoarchaeology • Petroleum Geology • Secondary Licensure Mathematics (Major & Minor) • Actuarial Science • Data Analytics (Minor) • Secondary Licensure Nutrition Science (Major and Minor) • Community Nutrition • Pre-Dietetics Physics (Major & Minor) • Applied Physics / Pre-engineering

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CU BOULDER • Computer Science • Mechanical Engineering

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Accelerated Programs Accelerate your education, accelerate your career. Western offers a multitude of accelerated degrees, allowing you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years—saving you time and money. Pursuing this path gets you out into the workforce and gives you a head start on career success. Each accelerated “3+2” program functions a bit differently, but in general, you spend the first three years taking undergraduate courses and the last two taking graduate courses. After the fourth year, you earn your bachelor’s. After the fifth year, you earn your master’s.

3+2 CREATIVE WRITING • B.A. in English or Environment & Sustainability • M.A. in Creative Writing

Carley Clegg

3+2 ECOLOGY • B.A. in Environment & Sustainability or B.S. in Biology • M.S. in Ecology

3+2 EDUCATION • B.A. in Art, Economics, Education, English, History, Music, Politics & Government or Spanish; or B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Exercise & Sport Science, Geology or Mathematics • M.A. in Education

3+2 HAEP

Morgan Patterson

• B.S. in Biology or Exercise & Sport Science • M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science, High Altitude Exercise Physiology

3+2 MEM • B.A. in Business Administration, Environment & Sustainability, History, Politics & Government, Psychology, Recreation & Outdoor Education or Sociology or B.S. in Biology • Master in Environmental Management

3+2 MGMM • B.A. in Art or History • M.A. in Gallery & Museum Management

3+2 OIMBA • B.A. in Business Administration, Environment & Sustainability or Recreation & Outdoor Education • MBA, Outdoor Industry

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STEM at Western Though Western’s academic roots are in the arts and humanities, we bring the same curiosity and problemsolving orientation to our technical fields as well. Employers tell us they’re looking for engineers, computer scientists and technology professionals who can do more than execute and program; they’re looking for thinkers and leaders who analyze critically, write well and have both the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in fast-changing industries. Western’s diverse curriculum prepares you to do just that. Explore our STEM offerings at western.edu/undergraduate/programs.

Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering The Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering houses Western’s Math and Computer Science programs along with two special programs offered in conjunction with the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science. Partnership Programs Earn a Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering degree from University of Colorado Boulder—all on Western’s campus. Learn more about the programs at western.edu/rady.

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9 Randall Gee

Carley Clegg

Financial Aid in 10 Steps More than 80% of Western students receive aid. Here’s how to maximize your Western financial award:

1. Apply to Western The earlier, the better. Western uses a rolling admissions policy, which allows students to apply at any time. The earlier you’re accepted, the higher your priority for housing, classes and financial aid. Visit western.edu/apply.

2. Complete FAFSA Before you do: • Student and parent create FSA IDs (studentaid.gov) • Compile student and parent 2020 tax info • Set aside approximately 1 hour • Western’s school code: 001372 A FSA ID is a username and password necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens Oct. 1, 2021. Doing this makes you eligible for grants, loans, scholarships and work-study. To fill out the FAFSA, visit studentaid.gov.

3. Merit Scholarship or Tuition Discount Once accepted to Western, you’re considered. Visit western.edu/cost to learn whether your GPA qualifies you for a merit scholarship. If not, your state of residence could qualify you for 150% of in-state tuition via the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) discount programs.

4. First Look at Financial Aid Offer Look for this starting early December 2021. You will receive a preliminary Financial Aid Offer including eligible scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. Adjustments may be made as final tuition prices are set.

5. FAFSA Priority Deadline To optimize your eligibility for loans and grants, fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov by the March 1, 2022, priority

deadline. Refer to No. 2 for details. Note: After the priority deadline, you can still submit a FAFSA, although without priority status.

6. Financial Aid Next Steps Starting mid-March 2022. If you have been admitted and submitted a FAFSA, you will receive the Next Steps for Financial Aid, which include an Annual Budget Worksheet and Financial Aid Checklist with instructions on accepting full or partial loan offers and completing entrance counseling, loan agreements and the annual student loan acknowledgment. Any updates to Financial Aid offers can be viewed via your MyWestern account.

7. Common Scholarship Application Deadline is April 1, 2022. Looking for more aid? You can apply for many scholarships via Western’s Common Scholarship Application. To browse and apply for scholarships, visit western.edu/common-scholarships. Note: For information about all Western scholarships, visit western.edu/scholarships.

8. Submit Tuition & Housing Deposits Join the Mountaineer family. Pay your tuition and housing deposits to lock in your place at Western. Class registration opens May 1, 2022. Your tuition deposit must be submitted to take the registration survey, which is key to building your Fall 2022 class schedule. Western’s housing survey becomes available in March; submit your housing deposit by then to select your roommate.

9. Receive Statement of Charges A first look at your actual charges. You’ll receive your statement of charges in the mail or view it via MyWestern in early July. Take time to read carefully. Don’t be alarmed when scholarships, grants and loans aren’t applied right away; they disburse Aug. 13, 2022.

10. Tuition Payment Due Deadline is Aug. 23, 2022. After your aid disburses, you can pay your bill in full or set up monthly payments throughout the semester. Pay or set up a payment plan via your MyWestern account or by calling, emailing or visiting the Cashier’s Office: 970.943.3003 | Taylor Hall 314 | cashier@western.edu. WESTERN.EDU

| 11

2021-22 Academic Year

Merit Aid

In-State

Out-of-State

Tuition

$6,816*

$18,600

Double Room

$5,200

Board (15-Meal/ Week Plan)

$4,790

Required Fees

$3,846.70

Optional Fees

$250

$20,902.70

$32,686.70

Total Annual Cost

*Reflects that the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend has been applied. Register for COF at cof.college-assist.org. Visit western.edu/finaid for more information. Total In-State tuition without COF is $9,636.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, each student is considered for a merit scholarship based on GPA. Merit aid cannot be combined with tuition discount programs. To determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship, visit western.edu/cost.

Discount Programs Under the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Central Plains (CP) programs, students from 25 states pay just 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2021-22, the discount is valued at $4,146. Students from neighboring states who demonstrate financial need are considered for an extra $1,000 per year grant, applied annually.

Types of Aid Scholarships: Money awarded based on academic or other achievements (e.g., merit, program-based, athletic). Grants: Aid based on financial need that doesn’t need to be repaid. Federal/State Work-Study: Provides funding for students with financial need, allowing them to work on campus. Loans: Borrowed money that must be paid back. A Subsidized Loan is based on financial need; the federal government pays the interest while the borrower is in school. Interest paid on an Unsubsidized Loan is the student’s responsibility from day one. A Parent PLUS Loan is an additional option that requires a separate application and credit check. For more information, visit western.edu/aid.

FAFSA: Best Practices Submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) kicks off the financial aid process. General instructions on what to do with FAFSA are found on page 11. Consider the following tips to make the application process go more smoothly. • Complete by Priority Deadline: Most federal aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting by March 1, 2022 ensures your best award package. • Visit Proper Website: Be suspicious of websites that require payment. You never have to pay to complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. 12

WUE

Neighboring States

• Create FSA IDs: Students and parents must create separate FSA IDs. Don’t share these FSA IDs with anyone. • Correctly Claim Dependency: Most students under 24 are considered dependent and require their parents’ financial info. • Have Tax Info: To complete FAFSA in one sitting, have student and parent tax info at your elbow. Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool for ease in transferring financials. • Properly Sign and Submit: Your FAFSA will be rejected unless both student and parent sign then submit.

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THRIVE AT WESTERN Our students are independent, resilient, driven and compassionate. They’re artists, athletes, analysts, ranchers and environmentalists. Together, they make up the supportive and inclusive Western community. Western is an ideal launchpad for exploring and trying new things—both in and outside of the classroom. It’s a safe place to fail, learn from mistakes and grow.

Jayden Omi has been interested in studying computer science since high school. Once he found out he could study at the new Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering and run track and field at Western Colorado University, he was sold. “The track and field program appealed to me and gave me an opportunity to continue my athletic career and help pay for college,” Omi said. “The Paul M. Rady and CU Boulder partnership program for computer science was a huge advantage of coming to Western. Having the opportunity to receive a degree from such a prestigious school was too good to turn down,” he said. When Omi is not studying or running, he enjoys making it out to Blue Mesa Reservoir to enjoy the recreational opportunities there. He enjoys that he can be very focused on his degree and athletics while attending Western because of the lack of distractions. “Western is far away from largely developed areas and some see this as inconvenient or even unbearable but for many like me, this is good. I’ve found myself focused on the most important thing that Western provides: a quality, personalized education.”

“Western is far away from largely developed areas and some see this as inconvenient or even unbearable but for many like me, this is good. I’ve found myself focused on the most important thing that Western provides: a quality, personalized education.”

Emma Brophy

Jayden Omi | Major: Computer Science

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Katie Lyons

Madison Patton | Major: Business Administration,

“I knew that I wanted a school that could cater to me and my needs. I need a lot of repetition and room for personal health. I knew that I would get that from being here.”

and Politics and Government Madison Patton is a student from Colorado Springs double majoring in business administration, and politics and government. “When I came to visit Western, I really liked how small it was and thought it was beautiful,” Madison said. “I always knew about myself that I liked living in a tight-knit community where I know everyone.” Madison went to a small high school in Colorado Springs and is used to the small town, small school feel. She explained that though it was challenging to meet new people when she first arrived at Western, making new friends and connections has been one of the best experiences she’s had as a student thus far. “My favorite part about being at Western is getting to know everyone,” Madison said. “When I first got here, it was really overwhelming because I didn’t recognize anyone. It’s been a good experience, getting used to the community and being a part of Western.” As far as finding an ideal learning environment, Madison wanted a school that would value her as a person, not just a number, and knew that Western’s intimate learning environment would help her succeed as a student as well as an individual. “I knew that I wanted a school that could cater to me and my needs. I need a lot of repetition and room for personal health. I knew that I would get that from being here,” she said.

Hannah White, originally from Kansas City, is a politics and government major with an emphasis in global studies and minors in philosophy, and environment and sustainability. On campus, Hannah has her toes dipped into everything she is passionate about. “I am a Senator on Western’s Student Government Association, an Orientation Leader, a member of the Women at Western club, Vice President of the Politics Club, a member of the Women’s Student Lounge, I’ve participated in Model United Nations and I’m a Geiman Fellow,” Hannah said. Because of how involved she is on campus, Hannah has a lot to choose from as her favorite part of attending Western. “The friendships I have made here are one of my favorite things about coming to Western,” she said. “The opportunities that Western has given me through these different groups and clubs has been an amazing thing.”

“The friendships I have made here are one of my favorite things about coming to Western. The opportunities that Western has given me through these different groups and clubs has been an amazing thing.”

Katie Lyons

Hannah White | Major: Politics and Government

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Carley Clegg

Programs & Services Western offers the guidance you need to promote your success and happiness throughout your time in Gunnison. We have multiple programs and services to support our students, including: Counseling Center Leadership, Engagement and Development (LEAD) Office Medical Clinic Multicultural Center (MCC) Sources of Strength Student Affairs

Emma Brophy

Student Health & Wellness Office Study Abroad Coordinator & Advisor The SWEET Life Veteran Benefits Westerners in Transition (WIT)

EPIC Mentorship Program Making the transition to college can be daunting. That’s why we pair every incoming student with an Experienced Peer Initiating Connections (EPIC) Mentor to guide them through summer and their first year at Western. EPIC Mentors are upperclass students who empower you with the resources you need to connect with campus and the Gunnison community. Once you’re off and running, your EPIC Mentor will be there to answer any questions you have and connect you with any resources you may need.

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Visit western.edu/epic to learn more!

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Academic Resources Math Tutoring Supplemental Instruction Writing Center

Academic Resource Center Academic Advising Disability Services Exploratory Program (for undeclared students) International Student Services Peer Academic Leaders

Career Services We’re here to help you craft your next adventure. We offer career preparation resources, individual and group career advising, alumni and employer networking and tools to help you learn where you can make your best impact in the world. As a Mountaineer, you have access to Handshake, an online hub for making appointments with Career Services and for finding jobs and internships.

Prepare for the Professional World Career and internship fairs Career and internship search support Mock interviews Professional development programming Resume and cover letter reviews Career Closet

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Carley Clegg

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Randall Gee

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At Home on Campus When you leave for college, your residence hall becomes your home away from home. Our Residence Life team works hard to ensure your transition goes smoothly. Your roommate and neighbors can provide a strong support system during your college years and may even become lifelong friends.

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As part of the two-year live-on requirement, first-year students go through the “First-Year Experience,” which focuses on community-building and skills such as effective leadership, stress and time management, selfcare, financial literacy, inclusion, nutrition, asking for help, self-awareness, critical thinking, decision-making and more. Second-year students will continue through the “SecondYear Experience,” which focuses on increasing students’ campus, community and cultural connections—as well as engaging students in leadership and personal development opportunities.

Residence Halls Traditional Halls | Community bathrooms, required meal plan Ute Hall: First-year, double occupancy Escalante Complex (Colorado, Crystal, Dolores, Tomichi halls): First-year halls, double occupancy Suite-Style Halls | Personal bathroom, shared kitchen, required meal plan Mears Complex (Mears, Moffat, Robidoux halls): Up to four people in a suite sharing one bathroom Apartments | Full kitchens, personal bathroom Pinnacles: Mostly four-bedroom apartments

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Chipeta: One- and two-bedroom apartments

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Carley Clegg

Athletics NCAA Division II gomountaineers.com Men’s Basketball Cross Country Football Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor) Wrestling Women’s Basketball Cross Country Soccer Swimming & Diving Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor) Volleyball Varsity Cheerleading Esports

Kaiya Firor Major: Mechanical Engineering Track and field (indoor and outdoor) A combination of athletics and academics drew Kaiya to Western. “Track side, my favorite coach Lindsey Grasmick, the head track and field coach here at Western recruited me, but the real deciding factor for me coming to Western was the engineering program,” Kaiya said. “I picked the mechanical engineering program because I love math, science and problem-solving.” She stated that a small college in her state with an engineering program was exactly what she was looking for so she could fully explore her major. “I like my classes, especially how small they are. I have friends at CSU and their classes are huge, while at Western we know all of our professors,” Kaiya said. During her time at Western, Kaiya intends to excel both in the classroom and on the track, and make the most of Western’s individualized, hands-on learning opportunities.

Mountain Sports western.edu/mountainsports Alpine Skiing Climbing Freeride Skiing & Snowboarding Mountain Biking Nordic Skiing Ski Mountaineering Trail Running

Club Sports western.edu/clubsports

Intramural Sports

Emma Brophy

western.edu/intramuralsports

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GET INVOLVED Mountaineers stay busy indoors and out. Find your place among our studentrun clubs, sustainability efforts and leadership development opportunities.

Clubs & Organizations Anthropology Club Association for Students of Exercise & Sport Science

National Association for Music Education Operation Smile

West Elk Wranglers Western Association of Professional Landmen

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Club

Organics Guild Pathfinder Magazine

Western Emergency Management Team

Backcountry Skiing Club

Paranormal Pursuits

Whitewater Club

Band/Orchestra

Peak Productions

Wilderness Pursuits

Chemistry Club

Percussion Club

Wildlife Society

Choir

Pi Sigma Epsilon

Christian Challenge

Politics & Government Club

Wordhorde (poetry troupe)

Dance Team

Pre-Health Club

Ebb & Flow

Program Council

Future Educators of America

Psychology Club

Gamers Guild

Real Talk

Geology Club

Roller Derby Club

History League

Sociology Club

ICE (Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship) Club

Sources of Strength

western.edu/clubs

Spectrum (Gay-Straight Alliance)

KWSB Radio

Student Government Association

Meditation Group

Sustainability Coalition

Model United Nations

The SWEET Life

Mountain Rescue Team Mountaineer Media

Top o’ the World (student newspaper)

Music: Instrumentals

Tri Beta

Music: Ensemble

Urban Gaming

Don’t see the club you’re looking for? At Western you have the opportunity to create your own club! Visit us western.edu/clubs to learn more.

Multicultural Center Amigos Asian Pacific Islanders Club Black Student Alliance Native American Student Council Polynesian Chant & Dance Club Carley Clegg

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Young Life

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Leadership on Campus Challenge your leadership capabilities and advance your skills through various student groups and work-study positions on campus. These include: Sources of Strength The SWEET Life EPIC Mentors Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) Residence Hall Association Program Council Orientation Leaders Inter Club Council Club Sports Council Student Government Association Academic Leadership Program (ALPS) Jeremy Wallace

Wilderness Pursuits Peer Health Educators (PHE) Geiman Fellows

Carley Clegg

Western Colorado University

Supplemental Instruction

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Give Back The Gunnison, Crested Butte and Western communities are teeming with opportunities for you to do well by doing good. No matter your interests, there is a place for you to lend a helping hand, make valuable connections and learn the ins and outs of this amazing place we call home. Get settled, study hard and branch out. You’ll find the Gunnison Valley to be bigger than you thought.

Sustainability Western is constantly in pursuit of solutions to complex sustainability issues. We’ve even committed to making campus zero waste. Students are a major force in this pursuit.

Sustainability Coordinators In this work-study position, students increase sustainability awareness and inspire behavior change through leadership, education and action.

Jake Burchmore

This student-run organization maintains sustainability on campus by providing others with direction and resources, and educating the community.

Katie Lyons

Sustainability Coalition

Sustainability Fund This financial resource supports student projects focused on renewable energy, reducing unnecessary consumption of goods, increasing recycling or promoting the ethical stewardship of all resources on campus.

Western Solar Society The Western Solar Society is an approved Student Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. This club will focuses on the task of educating and developing Western’s and the Gunnison Valley’s relationship with solar energy. The goal is to share knowledge through hands-on experiences and by developing community connections.

Organics Guild

Carley Clegg

This student-run organization maintains Chipeta Garden and Pinnacles Greenhouse on campus.

4 Gold and 3 Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Buildings

Casey Ober Major: Recreation & Outdoor Education Minor: Environment & Sustainability “I’ve been all about sustainability for a while,” Casey said. Casey describes herself as a passionate and outspoken person who likes to talk about sustainability. She recently became vegan, which she says has been an exploration into how what we eat goes into sustainability.

Carley Clegg

“I took the opportunities Western gave me to continue being excited about sustainability and enjoy researching how I can further my passion on campus,” Casey said.

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Angel De La Cruz Ramirez Major: Biology Angel De La Cruz Ramirez, originally from Denver, is a student studying biology. Ramirez transferred to Western from University of Colorado Denver because he wanted a more traditional college experience. “I went from having a class at CU Denver with over 200 people, and my biggest class at Western is 40 students. Upper division classes get even smaller,” Ramirez said.

Carley Clegg

“I love how small the classes are and how welcoming the faculty are.”

Alyssa Magalong ‘16 Alumna| Communication Arts

Leonard Anderson Photography

During her time at Western, Alyssa Magalong was an NCAA athlete, communication arts student and member of the Asian Pacific Islander Club. Now, she serves as Miss Colorado Earth where she advocates for environmental issues, specifically recycling, and gives back to her community through creating sleeping mats from single-use plastic bags for individuals experiencing homelessness. “I just loved my experience at Western because there were a lot of different mentors and individuals that kept me openminded, embraced me and helped me step outside my comfort zone.”

Alex Woodruff Major: Mechanical Engineering

Western Colorado University Athletics

An opportunity to play basketball, study mechanical engineering and live in the mountains brought Alex Woodruff from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Western. Expecting to graduate in 2022, Alex stated that Western’s small class sizes and personable faculty have kept him engaged with classes and provided an ideal learning environment. “I love the small classes and having a relationship with my professors, since I learn better that way. Basketball brought and kept me here, but I stay for the atmosphere, the professors I have and the friends of a lifetime I’ve made.”

Brae Patten ‘16

Alumnus| Business Administration

Carley Clegg

Brae Patten came to Western for the outdoor fun and wound up staying for his business – which happens to be outdoor fun. Growing up racing mountain bikes as a kid in Boulder, Patten always aspired to do something in the bike industry. His dreams were realized when he and his father developed a business plan and together bought All Sports Replay, a shop that specializes in providing quality new and used sporting goods. Today, Patten lives in Gunnison and runs the day-to-day operations at the shop. “Western definitely prepared me for where I am today,” he said. “Being in the business program and being in the valley, I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

Audrey Mosher Major: Chemistry Audrey Mosher is a junior at Western expecting to graduate in 2022. Though she came due to the affordability of Western, she states she stayed for both Gunnison’s atmosphere and the personal relationships she was able to build with professors.

Katie Lyons

“Western has awesome professors overall. They’re very down-to-earth people, call you by first name and care about you as a person, and are easy to talk to.”

Gordon Gianniny ‘19 Alumnus| Geology

Carley Clegg

After a semester studying at Colorado College, Gordon transferred to Western for its unique location, and diverse academic and athletic opportunities. He was a member of the Mountain Sports Team where he participated and trained with the trail running and Nordic skiing teams. The field-orientated science program was also a deciding factor for Gordon to transfer. “The combination of rigorous coursework and independent research opportunities that I had at Western gave me the skills and experience necessary to pursue a career in geology.” WESTERN.EDU

Apply Now First-Time Freshman Application Visit western.edu/apply. 1. Complete and submit Western’s Online Application or the Common Application. 2. Send your official high school transcript to Western. 3. Submit the $30 application fee.*

Carley Clegg

*Fee waivers from the ACT, SAT or counselor statements are acceptable. Western accepts Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and concurrent/dual enrollment credits.

Application Deadlines Western is on a rolling admission cycle. We accept applications throughout the year until our class is full. Typically, you will receive your admission decision 2-3 weeks after we have received all of your application materials.

Mid-50% Ranges of Admitted First-Time Freshmen (2020) High School GPA 3.12-3.93 ACT 21-27 SAT 1010-1200

We recommend students apply and submit their FAFSA before March 1 for the following fall semester for maximum scholarship consideration.

Contact Financial Aid Our friendly Financial Aid staff is always happy to take your questions. Contact us at finaid@western.edu or 970.943.3085.

Transfer Application Visit western.edu/apply. 1. Complete and submit Western’s Online Application. 2. Send all official college transcripts to Western. 3. If you have less than 24 credit hours completed at the time of application, you must send your official high school transcript to Western. Dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment and AP/IB credits taken during high school are not counted in the credit hour total. 4. Submit the $30 application fee.*

Carley Clegg

*Fee waivers from the ACT, SAT or counselor statements are acceptable.

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Preview Days 2021-22

Can’t Make a Preview Day?

Visit campus for Preview Days and get a taste of the Mountaineer life. You’ll connect with current students, meet with professors, explore campus and more. Find the details at western.edu/preview.

Visit us for a campus tour and the opportunity to meet with a professor. Tours run Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and by appointment on Saturdays. You can also take a virtual tour at western.edu/visit at any time!

Fall 2021 Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 | Friday, Oct. 29, 2021

Campus Visits western.edu/visit | visit@western.edu | 970.943.7083

Spring 2022 Friday, March 4, 2022 | Saturday, March 26, 2022

Admissions western.edu/ | admissions@western.edu | 970.943.2119

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