Our Purpose
Colorado State University Mission:
Inspired by its land-grant heritage, CSU is committed to excellence, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service, and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.
Academic Impact - What does it mean to be a land-grant university in the 21st Century?
Inclusion, Opportunity, and Success: CSU is proud to provide access to opportunity to anyone with the motivation and ability to earn a degree. With the signing of the Morrill Act, for the first time in history, higher education became broadly open to people from all walks of life. At CSU, we prize diversity and the rich history that different populations bring to the academic community – as well as the rich history of the land and region on which our university is built.
Research that Transforms our World: CSU ranks among the leading research universities in the nation and is home to world-class discovery. CSU research and scholarships advances the quality of life for people in Colorado and around the world. Our faculty and students lead innovative discovery and scholarships to solve local and global problems and expand our understanding of our world and the challenges that confront it.
Service to Society: As the birthplace of the Peace Corps, CSU holds a strong belief that innovation can positively impact the quality of life for people worldwide. The people of Colorado State believe service to society and our world is a high calling. Our faculty and staff deploy knowledge and education to address pressing global challenges and improve the quality of life for people in Colorado and around the world, in keeping with our historic commitment to service and engagement. Students also put this value into action through their involvement and service on and off campus, whether collecting cans of food to feed the hungry in Fort Collins, participating in an alternative spring break trip, or working with faculty on projects in the developing world.
Education to Meet the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow: CSU provides a pragmatic, meaningful, and transformational educational experience to prepare the next generation of scientists, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs. CSU alumni use their talents and expertise to transform our world, and their education is a cornerstone of a prosperous economy. CSU graduates have won Pulitzer Prizes, flown on space shuttle missions, led states and nations, made brilliant scientific discoveries, and had an impact on communities and industries worldwide.
Excellence Above All: In all we do, we strive for excellence. CSU is a place where students build academic and personal success; where groundbreaking research is conducted and discovery achieved; where innovation is readily deployed to meet local and world demands; and where alumni celebrate transformative lives and careers. We provide an outstanding, dynamic educational experience as the foundation for student success and retention. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, Colorado State sets a high standard – and aims for excellence in all aspects of its educational, research, and service missions.
Global Impact - Research in the News
There is amazing reserach that is happening at Colorado State University. With $398.5M+ in research expenditures in FY 2019 and over 5,000+ undergraduate students directly involved in research, it’s not hard to believe that CSU is one of six universities in the U.S. to be designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. From the Veterinary Teaching Hospital performing cutting edge research on our furry friends and companions to the Energy Institute focusing on the development of innovative solutions to energy and climate challenges, there is no area of research off-limits for CSU.
A team of infectious disease researchers at Colorado State University has entered into an agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to further develop a novel virus inactivation process, successfully used for MERS, which has the potential to inactivate the SARS-COV-2 virus
How far apart should the trumpet section be from the trombone section at my first band rehearsal during COVID-19?
The research team used existing technologies to treat nine plasma and three whole-blood products
Local Impact - Northern Colorado and Colorado
Northern Colorado is home to many entrepreneurial ventures and can attribute some of this spirit to Colorado State University and its resources. The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce states “many high-tech companies have relocated to Fort Collins because of the resources of Colorado State University and its research facilities” (https://fortcollinschamber.com/jobs/major-employers/). CSU is one of the major employers in the Fort Collins area, employing around 6,000 individuals (not including student employment) and hosts a variety of events and programs to engage the local and state residents and foster a positive campus-to-community relationship. A few campus favorites availabe to Fort Collins residents and visitors:
- Gregory Allicar Museum of Art
- Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising
- Flower Trial Garden
- Athletic Events
CSU Extension has presence is in every region of Colorado with the work driven by unique community needs across the state. Through collaboration with local Extension Agents, campus, and field-based subject matter experts there are a variety of programs available that directly benefit the communities in which they serve. Areas of expertise include:
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- 4-H youth development
- Community development
- Cropping systems
- Energy
- Environmental horticulture
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- Family and financial stability
- Livestock and range
- Natural resources
- Nutrition, food safety, and health
- Food systems
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