Students & Education

¿Dónde Está Boulder? The Baca Family's Three Generations of Buffs

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:34:05 +0000

¿Dónde Está Boulder? The Baca Family's Three Generations of Buffs Anna Tolette Mon, 03/10/2025 - 14:34

Patricia Kaowthumrong

"I don’t know what I would have done if my brother was not recruiting Chicano students to the University of Colorado."

As a teenager growing up in Trinidad, Colorado, during the early 1970s, attending the �� seemed out of the question for Bernal Baca (A&S’75). Instead, he planned to follow the advice of his high school guidance counselor and enter an auto mechanics program after graduation. But his older brother Richard Baca (Edu’71) intervened.

Richard, a student at �� at the time, was back home visiting his former high school. As a United Mexican American Students (UMAS) member, he was recruiting Hispanic students like Bernal to attend the university. Bernal was hesitant, insisting he wanted to become an auto mechanic — but Richard wouldn’t take no for an answer. Bernal heeded his brother's advice and applied to the school, where he was accepted and enrolled.

In retrospect, following in his brother’s footsteps to an education on the Front Range turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Bernal — and future generations of Baca family members.

“I don’t know what I would have done if my brother was not recruiting Chicano students to the University of Colorado. That signaled to me that we had a chance,” Bernal said. “So I took that chance, and I’m glad.”

Deep Roots

Richard and Bernal earned degrees from �� and went on to achieve doctoral degrees in psychology and education, respectively. According to Richard, these feats were considered improbable at the time, given the siblings’ humble upbringing.

The Baca family’s history in the United States dates back to the 1600s, when a settlement from Spain’s Oñate Expeditionary Group landed in northern New Mexico. Eventually, the family migrated to the southern Colorado city of Trinidad, whose establishment in the 1870s by Felipe Baca and his wife, Dolores, was a catalyst for Hispanics to settle in the area.

“In essence, [Bacas] have been here for a long time,” Richard said. “We often hear the notion that ‘America came to us’ because our family was here long before the United States was founded.”

The Bacas, a family of farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs, were influential in southern Colorado. However, after Richard graduated from Trinidad State College in 1969, he thought his only two choices in the rural town were to work in the coal mines or join the military. An unlikely opportunity arose, though: Richard was selected with a cadre of other Latino students to apply to �� under what was then called the Educational Opportunity Program, which was established in the 1960s to recruit young Latinos who might not have met all the established admissions criteria at the time.

"My brother was the one who showed me the way, and he was able to teach his own son and granddaughter the same thing. I love it."

Without this program, the thought of attending the university would have been as unlikely as eating “frijoles sin tortillas” (beans without tortillas), Richard said. “Formal admission to the university opened an educational dimension immeasurable by traditional means and inexplicable to [my] mother who had all of a third-grade education,” he wrote in a letter about his family to the Coloradan this past August.

Boulder or Bust

When Richard told his mother he was accepted to ��, she replied, “Ah, que bueno jito. ¿Dónde está Boulder?” which translates to, “That’s good news, my son. Where is Boulder?”

Over the next few years, Boulder evolved from what Richard called “a strange land” into his second home. He credits his success to living of campus with a group of graduate students and to his participation in student groups and campus activities. Richard’s tenure at CU coincided with the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

“At that time, the movement was really becoming strong, so I just became involved in campus activities related to Chicano students and learned more about my roots, my heritage and the importance of trying to advance ourselves as a grouping,” Richard said.

"I got my spark at [��] because I was mentored by one of the best professors I think I’ve ever met."

As a result of initiatives such as the Educational Opportunity Program that supported Richard, �� began recruiting hundreds of students from new communities — including Native American, Mexican American, Black/African American and Asian American communities — to attend the university. Some of these students formed organizations inspired by broader civil rights movements, including UMAS.

Bernal also became involved with the Chicano Movement, joined UMAS and studied under Salvador Ramírez — who taught Chicano studies. When Ramírez moved to the Pacific Northwest, Bernal followed to help him establish the first Chicano studies program at Washington State University. After a long career as a college professor, Bernal now serves as executive director at a nonprofit called Mi Centro, which provides social, cultural and educational services to the Latino community in the greater Tacoma area.

“I got my spark at [��] because I was mentored by one of the best professors I think I’ve ever met,” Bernal said. “I feel really honored to be bestowed that university bachelor’s degree because it was the most important degree I have received.”

Passing the Torch

From left: Ryan, Alexandra and Richard Baca.

While Richard is now retired, his career in higher education, mental health, consulting and politics spanned over 40 years. He even ran for University of Colorado regent in 1994 and served as the assistant vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) in Grand Junction. Richard raised his family on the Western Slope, and his son Ryan (Bus’96) was admitted to �� in the 1990s, continuing the legacy started by his father and uncle nearly three decades prior.

Ryan’s daughter, Alexandra (Bus’28), is the latest Baca family member to become a Buff. She moved into student housing at ��’s Cheyenne Arapaho Hall in fall 2024. Like her father, Alexandra was admitted to the Presidents Leadership Class, which Ryan said was key to his success as a student and later as a management professional. The university also offered her scholarships from the Latinx Association and the Business and Engineering Women in Leadership program.

“I don’t know another place I would want to go to for a university experience,” Bernal said. “My brother was the one who showed me the way, and he was able to teach his own son and granddaughter the same thing. I love it.”

While Richard, Ryan and Alexandra each experienced the university in different eras, they’re united by their love for the beautiful campus, Boulder’s ever-evolving cultural scene and their love for Colorado Buffaloes football.

The legacy they continue to nurture is one we know Alexandra’s late abuela would definitely be proud of.

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Have a �� family legacy to share? Email us at editor@colorado.edu with your story.

�� is involved in several programs in Trinidad, Colorado. Visit the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship for more information.

Illustration by Emiliano Ponzi; Photo courtesy Richard Baca

Attending �� changed Bernal Baca's life and sparked a multi-generational family legacy.

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Spring 2025

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Student Spotlight: From Color Guard to Singing the "Alma Mater"

Anna Tolette — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:16:11 +0000

Student Spotlight: From Color Guard to Singing the "Alma Mater" Anna Tolette Mon, 03/10/2025 - 14:16

Lauren Elbert (Mktg’27) loves the traditions of student life — from color guard to singing the alma mater.

A Day as a Buff

“As a resident advisor, it’s super convenient to go to class next door in the Koelbel building. After class, I usually head to my barista job. It is the best part of my day, because I get to make coffee and talk to people who come in from around Boulder. Then, I normally hit up The Rec to run or take a cycle class. After that, I go to color guard practice and usually have meetings for the Leeds Scholars Program, Herd Leadership Council or a residence hall staff meeting, depending on the day. Later, I head back to my room, get some homework done, read a bit and go to bed. It’s a busy life, but it’s a good one!”

Favorite CU Tradition

“The Golden Buffaloes Marching Band is steeped in tradition and spirit for the campus. After each game, we sing the alma mater together, regardless of the turnout or how tired we are.”

CU’s Influence

“�� has shown me how creativity and business can intersect. The collaborative projects in my classes and my involvement in the Leeds Scholars Program have helped me develop a vision for combining marketing, technology and sustainability. I’m inspired to pursue a career focused on impactful storytelling and responsible innovation.”

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Photo courtesy Lauren Elbert

Quick Facts

Studying marketing, with a minor in creative technology and design.

Expected Graduation May 2027

From Franktown, Colorado

Works at Drogo’s Coffee Bar

Color guard in the Golden Buffaloes Marching Band

Resident advisor in Kittredge Central

Buff Lauren Elbert shares her favorite �� traditions.

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Authentic Storytelling in Higher Education

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:49:51 +0000

Authentic Storytelling in Higher Education Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:49

Kelsey Yandura

A principal at TVP Communications, a boutique public relations agency specializing in higher education (higher ed), Teresa Valerio Parrot (Comm, EPOBio’97; MPubAd’03) is known as the agency’s “president whisperer” for her ability to help senior administrators translate their expertise into sharable insights (think: blogs, podcasts and other media formats). Valerio Parrot also co-hosts the Trusted Voices podcast and is the founding co-editor and a contributor to the blog “Call to Action.”

What are some of the biggest issues higher ed is facing?

Higher education is critiqued for being too elite, expensive and out of touch — but these criticisms boil down to an education being too far separated from someone else’s current experience, reality or memory. When I talk to people about their own experiences of college, I almost exclusively hear stories about how a degree positively changed someone’s life.

If you could communicate one thing to institutions, what would it be?

I would encourage institutions to own their excellence and stop trying to be like everyone else. Each institution has its own sparkle, and they often lose what makes them unique when they try to be like everyone else. Mimicry is where institutions go to die.

You’ve been called a ‘higher ed truth teller.’ What does that mean?

It is easy for leaders to surround themselves with those who tell them what they want to hear. I tell presidents and boards what the moment requires and what it demands from a leadership response — which means telling the truth. It’s never the easy route, but it’s the appreciated approach.

Why does higher ed matter today?

Higher education provides opportunities. Degrees and institutions make a difference in graduates’ lives, create economic impact in their communities and directly benefit society through research.

How did your time studying and working at CU shape your career?

I majored in just about everything CU had to offer before settling on communications and public relations, and I’m so thankful this is where I landed. This field has allowed me to travel the world, specialize in higher education and launch my own business. Through the university, I have been fortunate enough to learn from and have access to phenomenal leaders, mentors and communicators who invested in me as a professional and human being. I’m forever grateful to CU and the Presidents Leadership Class for seeing my potential and investing in me as a professional.

Sko Buffs!

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Photo courtesy TVP Communications

Teresa Valerio Parrot, a principal at TVP Communications, helps higher education leaders communicate their unique stories and expertise.

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81-Year-Old Earns PhD from ��

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:40:59 +0000

81-Year-Old Earns PhD from �� Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:40

Christie Sounart

At the age of 81, Alan Cohen (PhDHist’24) defended his dissertation and received his doctorate in history from ��. His work focused on the early years of commercial jet aviation and the Boeing 707. Before returning to school, Cohen spent many years working in government and running a Denver-based scrap metal business, Iron & Metals, Inc.

Talk about your career.

I received my undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley, then went to graduate school for economics at Yale. Afterward, I got a job working with USAID in South America and spent nine years in Guatemala and Colombia before becoming an economic consultant on natural resource issues in Washington, D.C. Later, I took over as manager at the family scrap metal business in Denver. When I approached retirement myself, my son took it over from me.

What was your experience pursuing a PhD?

Economic history interested me, particularly in the American West. When living in Colorado, I met CU professors Ann Carlos and Patty Limerick and took their courses as an auditor and eventually decided to take the courses for credit. I figured I would learn more by actually doing the work. I took the first course about 15 years ago. It took me six years to do all of the coursework before I passed the oral exam. My wife and I moved to Palm Springs because she was sick, and that slowed my research down. When she died, I moved back to Denver to be near my two sons. After another long break during COVID, I finally finished my dissertation in about two years.

What was it like going to school in your 70s?

Going back to graduate school was a wonderful experience — learning from younger people and this generation of teachers. One of my biggest takeaways has been political: I think of myself as progressive, but I’m actually a lot more conservative than some of the younger generation.

Will you take any more classes?

I think I will start another research project. I’m fascinated by Singapore and its modern history, especially how it managed to break away from colonialism successfully.

What else should we know about you?

I started out as a young person learning about the American Civil War, and my interest grew out of that. Also, when I went to Berkeley, it was free — California didn’t charge tuition to in-state students at the time. Right now, I’m helping a couple of other students go to college by paying their tuition. It’s payback for my free education.

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Photo courtesy Alan Cohen

Alan Cohen earned his doctorate in history from ��, reflecting on his diverse career and passion for research.

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Spring 2025

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CU Athletics Achievements: From Soccer to Heisman Honors

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:30:51 +0000

CU Athletics Achievements: From Soccer to Heisman Honors Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:30

Soccer Success

Colorado soccer (12-5-5, 4-2-5 Big 12) capped an outstanding season by earning an at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

The Buffaloes upset No. 7 seed Georgia 3-2 on Nov. 15, the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in five years.

While the Buffs stunned Georgia with second-half goals from Shyra James (MediaSt’24) and Hope Leyba (IntPhys’27), the team couldn’t similarly rally to overcome a 2-0 deficit against No. 2 seed Wake Forest in the tournament’s second round, losing 3-1 Nov. 22.

“This team is so resilient,” said head coach Danny Sanchez.

Ranked as high as No.14 nationally, CU overcame their end-of-season 0-2-4 stretch when they defeated Utah in the Big 12 Tournament to earn the at-large bid.

Returning Buffs Faith Leyba (IntPhys’27) and Ava Priest (EnvSt’27) were named First-Team All-Midwest Region, and goalkeeper Jordan Nytes (Soc’26) was selected Third Team All-America.

“We could not be more excited about the future of CU soccer,” said Sanchez.

Buffs Bits

Jenny Simpson (Econ,PolSci’09) retired from professional running after finishing 18th at the New York City Marathon Nov. 3 ... Colorado football (9-4, 7-2 Big 12) finished its 2024 season Dec. 28 with a 36-14 loss to BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter (Psych’26) won the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 14, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Soc’25) won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top quarterback on Nov. 29. ... Women’s basketball’s Frida Formann (EnvSt’24;MBusAna’25) was named a U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week Dec. 24 after she led the Buffs to a 65-60 victory over No. 14 West Virginia. ... Outside hitter Ana Burilović (Psych’27) was named to the 2024 All-Big 12 Volleyball 2nd Team Dec. 3 after finishing seventh in the Big 12 in points per set (4.12) and eighth in kills per set (3.55). … Tennis doubles team Anya Nelson (Bus’26) and Ema Bubalo (Biochem’27) reached the Sweet 16 at the 2024 NCAA Individual Championships in Waco, Texas.

Coach Talk

“Last season was about hope. This season was about expectation, and the expectation this year was to get Ms. Peggy to a bowl game — and we did that.”

— Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders on Dec. 8 after the Buffs were selected to face BYU in the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl.

Stats

1st

Inaugural Big 12 Lacrosse Championship to be held at CU’s Prentup Field, May 1-3, 2025.

Two-time defending national champion UConn’s ranking when upset by CU men’s basketball 73-72 on Nov. 26 in the Maui Invitational.

30th

All-American Dean Casey’s (EnvSt’27) finish in the men’s cross country NCAA Championships Nov. 23 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Men’s golf strokes under par to place second at Hawai’i’s Ka’anapali Classic Collegiate in Lahaina, Maui, Nov. 2-4.

Career-high NBA points by Tristan da Silva (Acct’24) to lead the Orlando Magic to a 106-97 win over the Toronto Raptors Jan. 3.

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Photo courtesy CU Athletics

Women's soccer team advanced in the NCAA tournament, individual athlete honors and achievements across football and basketball.

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Spring 2025

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No Car, No Problem at ��

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:41:54 +0000

No Car, No Problem at �� Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:41

When it comes to getting to class at ��, “not having a car” would be a tough sell for tardiness — the university prefers students not to have one at all.

“We have a whole toolbox of programs to prevent students from needing to bring a car to campus,” said Brandon Smith, �� assistant director of sustainable transportation.

Most of these offerings are free. All students receive Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus passes and also have access to the university’s electric Buff Buses, BCycle electric bikes, CU NightRide, bike repairs on campus and summer bike storage. A CU ski bus even offers students trips to several ski resorts for $25 round trip.

And Buffs take advantage. In an average week, Buff Buses log about 30,000 boardings, 90% of which are students. In 2023, students rode RTD more than a million times. From January 2023 to November 2024, students took more than 1.3 million trips on BCycle bikes.

The payoffs for sustainable transportation are big.

“More than 60,000 commuters travel into Boulder per day, and 80% of these are single occupancy vehicles,” said Smith. “However, less than 12% of students drive solo to campus. Imagine what Boulder and campus parking, traffic and air quality would be like if we didn’t have programs that got most students out of single-occupancy cars.”

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Photo by Casey A. Cass

�� promotes sustainable transportation by offering students free access to buses, electric bikes and other services.

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Spring 2025

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CU Environmental Center's Legacy of Sustainability

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:30:13 +0000

CU Environmental Center's Legacy of Sustainability Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:30

Jessica Winter

The first officially celebrated “Earth Day” on April 22, 1970, marked the start of another green legacy: the CU Environmental Center.

A novel concept at the time, the center was founded by environmentally conscious students and acted as an on-campus organization for students to gather, develop and lead projects relevant to environmental issues. Since its inception, the “E-Center,” as it’s commonly known, has led sustainability initiatives, launched programs and partnered with green campus operations such as CU’s renewable energy campaign.

Financed by student fees since 1973, ��’s E-Center remains the largest student-led environmental center in the nation in terms of funding and employee support. Its innovative creation more than 50 years ago has inspired many other schools to model their student sustainability programs after CU’s.

“The E-Center is governed by students, funded by students and powered by students,” said Marianne Moulton Martin, E-Center associate director. “Many of our current programs would not have been realized without student leadership and initiatives.”

Driven by passionate Buffs, the center offers a variety of programs that aid sustainability efforts, including a composting program (started in 2004), a campus pollinator garden (installed in 2014) and the Sustainable Buffs program — which invites students to explore how they can live, connect and lead sustainably. The center’s current priorities include developing sustainability leaders, identifying solutions to environmental issues that can be implemented beyond campus, helping �� reach zero waste and zero emissions, and promoting Buff pride through positive environmental impact.

From the recycling program created in 1976 to the first CU Bike Station in 2004, the E-Center has a green legacy that generations of Buffs have carried forward — with its student employees at the helm. In addition to the programs and services the center carries out, its student employees help engage their peers in meaningful conversations about everything from climate justice to environmentally friendly practices in labs.

“As a key partner in sustainability on campus, the E-Center aims to support every student who wants to create a positive change in their community,” said student employee Megan McLemore (IntlAf’26). “So we also act as a liaison, helping students join or start projects they are passionate about, and connecting them with the larger community of Sustainable Buffs here at ��.”

“The E-Center is governed by students, funded by students and powered by students.”

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Photos courtesy CU Environmental Center

��'s Environmental Center celebrates 50 years of sustainability initiatives, empowering student leadership and shaping a green campus.

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Spring 2025

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Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ��

Julia Maclean — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:27:27 +0000

Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at �� Julia Maclean Mon, 03/10/2025 - 11:27

Last fall’s Día de los Muertos “Altar Crawl” invited the �� community to engage with several altars honoring the lives of deceased loved ones. Altars were located across campus, including in the Guggenheim Building, the Koenig Alumni Center, the CU Museum of Natural History, the Center for Community and the Miramontes Baca Education Building. The crawl — hosted by the Forever Buffs Latinx group, the BUENO Center, the Latin American and Latinx Studies Center, UMAS y MECHA, Sigma Lambda Beta and the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, among others — highlighted the cultural significance of the day with moments of remembrance and celebration.

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Photo courtesy Daniela Martinez Carpizo; Nelson R. Castro; Karla Rosete Nunez

The Día de los Muertos altar crawl invited the community to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones through a series of altars across campus.

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Spring 2025

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Major Change: Five Fresh Degrees

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:43:34 +0000

Major Change: Five Fresh Degrees Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:43

Kelsey Yandura

Did Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film boost Birkenstock sales? Does a high-fat diet increase anxiousness? How are business leaders addressing “Zoom fatigue” among employees? Can a jellyfish-inspired robot track climate change?

The questions facing industry professionals today can range from complex to straight out of a science fiction novel. To keep up with and prepare students for the ever-evolving times, academic institutions need to constantly reevaluate course content and degree offerings.

��’s leadership strategically approaches the challenges of continuous modernization in higher education by examining both what and how students learn. This allows the university to remain on the leading edge of education while empowering students to navigate a fast-changing world.

“Our degrees don’t focus on a finite set of competencies, but on teaching students how to learn and lead,” said Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment at ��. “What our graduates learn today may be outdated by tomorrow. They’ll need to acquire new skills quickly from the moment they start their careers.”

The university’s academic strategy is centered on equipping students with adaptable, real-world skills in programs that embrace multidisciplinary approaches, foster collaboration and generate creative solutions to complex problems.

Here are five of the latest undergraduate and graduate degree paths �� has unveiled over the past four years.

Corporate Communication (MA)

�� Online

When Kiana Junior (MCorpComm’25) graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, job prospects in her field of study were dire.

“I took the first job I could, which happened to be in the real estate industry,” said Junior. Three years later, she’s bounding ahead on a totally new path: working as a brand communicator and pursuing her master’s in corporate communication at CU, a fully online degree program introduced in 2020.

In the field of corporate communication, professionals study the way companies and organizations communicate with internal and external audiences to share information and manage brand perception.

“It’s the practice and art of distilling information with integrity and consistency,” said Junior. “Consumers and employees expect transparency and social responsibility from corporations, now more than ever — especially when it comes to social responsibility, environmental compliance and diversity.”

The curriculum is designed to be student-centric. “The students learn from a mix of university faculty and current and distinguished practitioners who are working in the field,” said Tobias Hopp, director of the program. “It’s a dynamic educational experience.”

The results speak for themselves.

“I could read something in class one day and take it to work the next day,” said Junior. “It’s directly applicable every single week.”

Business Analytics (BS)

Leeds School of Business

Businesses have access to more data than ever — but it’s what they do with this data that provides value. Streaming site subscriptions, airline loyalty memberships, coffee shop sales and nail salon customer reviews — each of these datasets can provide a wealth of information for the respective businesses.

That’s where business analytics comes in: using data to glean insights, inform strategic decisions and recommend meaningful changes within a business. This fast-growing field of study became a new undergraduate focus within the Leeds School of Business in 2022.

“It’s about critical thinking with data,” said Kai R. Larsen, professor of information systems at Leeds. “Datasets are only getting bigger. We tried to imagine what a major would look like so that students could really understand the story behind the numbers.”

Business analytics students learn how to translate and distill hard numbers into helpful information. It is designed to be paired with another area of emphasis within the business school, such as marketing, finance or accounting.

“The beauty comes from how to put all these parts together,” said Larsen. “Not only understand the problem, but be able to analyze and also distill the information into something that’s valuable.”

Public Health (BA)

College of Arts and Sciences

After wildfires in California in 2008, Colleen Reid, an associate professor of geography at ��, began studies to understand how wildfire smoke affects population health. Recently, she has been collecting data to understand how wildfire smoke gets into homes and schools and may affect children’s health in the Denver metro area. Reid hopes school districts can use the findings from her work to protect children from future high air pollution events, such as wildfires. Her work demonstrates the importance of careers in public health.

Starting in the fall of 2025, CU students will have the opportunity to pursue similar lines of work through the new public health major (BA) — a discipline focused on protecting and improving the health and well-being of communities and people. The field examines the underlying determinants of health within populations. For this new major at CU, students will learn about public health through courses within many different disciplines, including biology, statistics, geography, physiology, sociology, psychology and more.

“Public health goes beyond just individual bodies,” said Reid. “Seat belts are public health. Parks are public health. Climate change policy is public health. Food safety inspections at restaurants are public health.”

CU’s public health program plans to equip students with the tools to address the needs of today’s world — making strides to not only solve health problems, but also prevent them.

Biomedical Engineering (BS, MS, PhD)

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Earlier this year, a ��-led team made strides in the quest to develop naturalistic materials that can repair and replace human tissue. Their breakthrough focused on creating a “Band-Aid for the heart,” and the process consisted of 3D printing adhesive, elastic materials that are strong enough to support tissue mechanically.

This work, which can lead to revolutionary uses such as internal bandages and cartilage patches, demonstrates the innovative possibilities in biomedical engineering. By connecting engineering principles to the fields of medicine and biology, professionals in this discipline create enhancements to health care.

“A biomedical engineer on a team can form a crucial bridge between the clinicians and the engineers,” said Jessica McLaughlin, a teaching assistant professor in CU’s biomedical engineering (BME) department. “It’s critical to have someone at the table who can speak both languages.”

Since 2020, students at �� have had this professional pathway open to them through undergraduate and graduate biomedical engineering degrees. The multidisciplinary major teaches students how to create technology to address complex health problems.

“Anyone who cares about human health should be interested in this,” said Corey Nue, a biomedical professor at ��. “As engineers, we’re really uniquely positioned to impact the field through new devices, diagnostics and therapeutics.”

Robotics (MA, PhD)

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Perhaps the most futuristic major on the list is CU’s new graduate program in robotics, which kicked off in the fall of 2023. The program combines coursework and research from a variety of engineering fields, bridging the gaps between science, engineering and artificial intelligence.

“Robotics takes everything from computer science to mechanical engineering to electrical engineering,” said Sean Humbert, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Robotics Program at ��. “These are the types of students we want to be getting — folks that want this multidisciplinary background to solve all sorts of problems.”

From agriculture and health care to security and defense, the applications of a robotics degree are endless. Students enrolled in the program can choose from more than 40 different courses taught by experts in areas like field robotics, reasoning and assurance, smart materials, human-centered robotics and biomedical robotics.

When leading the charge to bring the robotics program to life, Humbert envisioned a department built on flexibility and an eye for developing trends.

“It’s a rapidly changing field, and our terrific faculty span all of these different bins of research,” said Humbert. “We’ll be able to educate students and develop new classes as the new tools appear. It’s really exciting.”

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Illustrations by Israel Vargas

Take a peek at five new undergraduate and graduate degree paths �� has unveiled over the past four years.

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Fall 2024

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A Peek Into the Past and Present of �� Campus Life

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:21:02 +0000

A Peek Into the Past and Present of �� Campus Life Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 10:21

Kelsey Yandura

NOW

A glimpse of �� life today — graduation at Folsom, a snowball fight at Farrand Field, a crowd around Dalton Trumbo fountain outside of the UMC, the Buffaloes playing their hearts out against Arizona. As a university, we are always changing, evolving, growing. But one thing remains the same: Buffs are innovative and creative leaders who know how to balance working and playing in the Colorado sunshine.

THEN

As CU enters a new chapter, take a look at these snapshots from CU yearbooks past — clockwise, from the top: Pi Phi’s between classes (1937), students relaxing on the UMC terrace (1955), a snowball fight described as “a friendly winter pastime for students living in the dormitories” (1955), the 1992 convocation, studying at the library (1941), Buffs playing at home against the Texas Longhorns (1941), roommates in Andrews Hall (1983). The heart of CU has always been shaped by students and the life they bring to campus.

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Photos courtesy CU Heritage Center, Patrick Campbell, Casey A. Cass, Glenn Asakawa

What does life look like on campus? Take a peek into �� campus life, both "back then" and "right now."

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Fall 2024

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Students & Education

¿Dónde Está Boulder? The Baca Family's Three Generations of Buffs

Deep Roots

Boulder or Bust

Passing the Torch

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Student Spotlight: From Color Guard to Singing the "Alma Mater"

A Day as a Buff

Favorite CU Tradition

CU’s Influence

Quick Facts

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Authentic Storytelling in Higher Education

What are some of the biggest issues higher ed is facing?

If you could communicate one thing to institutions, what would it be?

You’ve been called a ‘higher ed truth teller.’ What does that mean?

Why does higher ed matter today?

How did your time studying and working at CU shape your career?

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81-Year-Old Earns PhD from ����������

Talk about your career.

What was your experience pursuing a PhD?

What was it like going to school in your 70s?

Will you take any more classes?

What else should we know about you?

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CU Athletics Achievements: From Soccer to Heisman Honors

Soccer Success

Buffs Bits

Coach Talk

Stats

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No Car, No Problem at ����������

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CU Environmental Center's Legacy of Sustainability

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Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ����������

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Major Change: Five Fresh Degrees

Corporate Communication (MA)

Business Analytics (BS)

Public Health (BA)

Biomedical Engineering (BS, MS, PhD)

Robotics (MA, PhD)

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A Peek Into the Past and Present of ���������� Campus Life

NOW

THEN

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81-Year-Old Earns PhD from ��

No Car, No Problem at ��

Día de los Muertos Altar Crawl at ��

A Peek Into the Past and Present of �� Campus Life