About Orientation and Transition Programs

Vision:
Orientation and Transition Programs, through collaborative partnerships, strives to improve student retention.

Mission:
The mission of Orientation and Transition Programs is to assist in the orientation and transition experience of transfer, first year, and second year students by providing comprehensive and intentional programming, services, and outreach to promote students’ academic and personal achievement through active engagement within our diverse campus community.

Goals:

• To assist first, second year, and transfer students in making a successful academic and personal transition to Colorado State University, thereby increasing the retention of students toward graduation.
• To introduce new CSU students to Colorado State University's values: community, learning and discovery, active engagement, academic excellence, diversity/multiculturalism, tradition and pride. 
• To facilitate the development of personal and educational goals for first year, second year and transfer students.
• To promote academic excellence by providing resources, opportunities and support.
• To promote a sense of belonging for students on the CSU campus and an understanding that they are members of the campus community and the greater Fort Collins community.
• To collaborate with campus colleagues in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to provide programming and opportunities that encourage the development of the “whole student”.   
• To create intentional connections for new students through peer education and faculty/ staff mentoring.
• To provide Colorado State University student leaders with employment, leadership development, professional development, academic accountability, and engagement and learning through a comprehensive intentional training program and leadership positions.
• To foster a community that appreciates diversity and maintains a higher expectation of civility, integrity, respect and responsibility.
• To support and endorse healthy behaviors, lifestyles, and decision making for CSU students during their transition through outreach, collaboration, mentoring and programming.
• To conduct research and assessment of college student trends and issues to enhance current programs and create new initiatives through intentional programming that meets the needs of CSU students.

Staff:

Kerry Wenzler
Assistant Director for the Center for Advising and Student Achievement for Orientation and Transition Programs
kerry.wenzler@colostate.edu

Keith Lopez
Coordinator for Transition Programs
keith.lopez@colostate.edu

Paul Giberson
Coordinator for Orientation Programs
paul.giberson@colostate.edu

Priscilla Gardea
Graduate Assistant for Transition Programs
priscilla.gardea@colostate.edu

Zach Mercurio
Graduate Assistant for Orientation Programs
zachary.mercurio@colostate.edu

Zach, Keith, Kerry, Paul, Priscilla