La Conexión
The Mission of La Conexión
The mission of La Conexión, El Centro’s peer mentoring program, is to uplift the skills, qualities and talents that Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, Chicx/e, and Hispanic students’ inherently bring to our University. Using your skills, we aim to support you academically and socially, while providing resources and support so you can thrive at Colorado State University and beyond. Grounded in Tara Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth model (2005), we value the fostering of a strong sense of community, celebration of identities, student engagement, and academics, for Latinx/e students at CSU that is rooted on social and educational justice.
What are our Values?
Community
We support transfer and first-year Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, Chicanx/e and Hispanic students with establishing healthy and meaningful campus community relationships with other Latinx/e students and campus professionals through small and large group activities, service, leadership, and weekly meetings. We understand having a sense of community at CSU impacts your sense of belonging, your continued growth and well-being.
Academics
We create an environment that supports the aspirations each student holds for themselves and for their community by providing information about campus resources, creating a culture of accountability, and teaching students how to navigate the hidden curriculum in college.
Celebration of Identities
We empower students to continue learning about the intersectionality of identities and practice inclusiveness of all identities by fostering “communal bonds” (Yosso, 2005) and providing meaningful educational experiences. ALL our students bring unique experiences that help them connect and learn from each other; Our hope is you can build communities of support within the program as well as challenge your peers to continue growing.
Student Engagement
We support engagement in CSU and surrounding communities by creating and encouraging participation in current programs, clubs, organizations, research, internships and events offered by CSU and our surrounding communities.
Inclusion
La Conexión welcomes:
- Those that do not speak Spanish AND those that do!
- Those that feel connected to their heritage and those that don’t!
- Those that identify as part of the LGBTQIAA+ community and those that don’t.
- People with disabilities and able-bodied people.
- Anyone that identifies with the Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, Chicanx/e, Hispanic, etc. community!
We are looking for people who want to learn more about themselves while treating others with dignity and respect!
Why Join La Conexión?
- Meet other Transfer or First-Year Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx, Chicanx/e and Hispanic students
- Learn more about campus resources
- Attend fun community building events
- Connect with other cultural centers/diversity programs
- Gain professional development skills
How it Works & Our Mutual Expectations
- La Conexión is a yearlong commitment
- You’ll be placed in a family based on your availability and if you are a first-year or transfer student.
- Family groups meet each week:
- During meetings you might discuss academic success, managing stress, identity, establishing community, balancing family expectations, and other important topics related to first-year or transfer students.
Fall Timeline
- Application Deadline: Friday, September 8, 2023 by 11:59 PM MST
- REQUIRED Orientation for Accepted Applicants: Tuesday, September 18, 2023 from 6:30-8:00 PM MST, Stadium Classroom 1205. During Orientation you meet your Family Group and Family Leader
For questions or more information, please contact Aaron at Aaron.Escobedo_Garmon@colostate.edu
