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 of all students with a focus on what Latinx/é, Afro-Latinx/é, Chicanx/é, and Hispanic students inherently bring to our University. Using their skills, we provide resources and support so they can thrive academically and socially 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 and student success.
What are our Values?
Community
We support all transfer and first-year students with establishing healthy and meaningful campus community relationships with other students and campus professionals through small and large group activities, service, leadership, and weekly meetings. We focus on the experiences and history of the Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, Chicanx/e and Hispanic community. 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 affirmation 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.
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 who identifies with the Latinx/e, Afro-Latinx/e, Chicanx/e, Hispanic, etc. community.
- We are open to all and anyone can join!
Why Join La Conexión?
- Meet other First-Year or transfer students
- Learn more about campus resources
- Attend fun community building events
- Connect with other Cultural Resource Centers
- Gain professional development skills
How it Works & Our Mutual Expectations
- La Conexión is a yearlong commitment.
- We are open to first-year students, first-year transfer students, and first-year adult learners.
- Attend academic workshops tailored just for the program
- 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: Thursday, September 3, 2026 by NOON MST
- REQUIRED Orientation for Accepted Applicants: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 6:30-8:00 PM MST, Location TBD. During Orientation you meet your Family Group and Family Leader
For questions or more information, please contact Natalia at natalia.sanchez-ruiz@colostate.edu