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CU Engineering is excited to welcome our new and returning students to a new academic year!

On behalf of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, I want to extend the warmest welcome to our new, first-year students. Congratulations on your decision to join CU Boulder to receive a first-class engineering education and experience. We are so thrilled that you are here to share with us one of the most important times of your life, earning an engineering degree. I encourage you to take full advantage of the plethora of opportunities, experiences and resources that CU has to offer!
 
As you get acclimated to your new living and learning environment, take some time to acquaint yourself and engage with the myriad of resources and programs available to you in the college and campus. These student-oriented activities will have a positive impact on your personal, social and academic life at CU. Your engagement in the classroom, in co-curricular activities as well as your personal choices will set the course for your entire undergraduate career.

So do not hesitate to connect with your instructors, academic advisors and our student support staff to help you navigate the multifaceted engineering landscape. This will be imperative to your success!

Returning Students 

I want to express my sincere gratitude to our returning students, as your perseverance and resilience during the previous academic year were truly inspiring. Your decision to persist with us on your educational journey to obtain an engineering degree demonstrates your commitment to pursuing high scholastic standards and achieving academic success in a highly rigorous learning environment.

Remote and hybrid instruction were the most prevalent modalities for teaching during the 2020-21 academic year. This year, our faculty and staff have done tremendous work to mitigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and have made significant improvements to keep everyone safe and well inside and outside of the classroom. As a result of this work, you now have greater opportunities to take in-person classes, build community with your peers and work collaboratively on projects solving complex, real-world problems.

I encourage you to continue contributing your knowledge, skills and talents to this vibrant ecosystem of learning at CU Boulder.

Mental Health and Wellness

Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of your mental health and well-being. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also determines how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

The transition to college can be an overwhelming and stressful experience, especially during a pandemic. The hustle and bustle of finding classrooms, meeting new friends and developing a study rhythm can be daunting. So I ask that you use your free time to decompress and explore self-care, stress management and other wellness practices that will maintain a healthy and optimistic view of your experience at CU.

I'll end by sharing the story of a CU alumna who exemplifies the true meaning of resiliency. I hope this story inspires you to persist and achieve your goals no matter the obstacles and setbacks you face.

I wish you all an outstanding fall semester, and I look forward to meeting you in the Engineering Center soon!
 
Terri D. Wright
Assistant Dean for Access and Inclusion