Undergraduate Students /asmagazine/ en Scholars aim to help women make a quantum leap /asmagazine/2025/04/25/scholars-aim-help-women-make-quantum-leap <span>Scholars aim to help women make a quantum leap</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-25T13:46:50-06:00" title="Friday, April 25, 2025 - 13:46">Fri, 04/25/2025 - 13:46</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-04/WiQ%20presentation%202.JPG?h=f79df368&amp;itok=95scVNCB" width="1200" height="800" alt="Annalise Cabra holds microphone and Emily Jerris looks on as they present about CU Women of Quantum"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1242" hreflang="en">Division of Natural Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/428" hreflang="en">Physics</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1053" hreflang="en">community</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1269" hreflang="en">quantum</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/rachel-sauer">Rachel Sauer</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>Quantum Scholars Emily Jerris and Annalise Cabra started CU Women of Quantum to help women interested in careers in quantum to network and share experiences</em></p><hr><p>First, the good news: Between 1970 and 2022, the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/data/occupations-stem" rel="nofollow">percentage of U.S. women workers in STEM jobs</a> grew from 7% to 26%.</p><p>The obvious and not-so-good news is that while women represent <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm" rel="nofollow">almost half the U.S. workforce</a>, they hold only a quarter of STEM jobs. And the numbers get even more stark in quantum fields. A <a href="https://www.lse.ac.uk/tii/assets/documents/The-City-Quantum-Summit-TII-Report.pdf" rel="nofollow">2022 report</a> from the London School of Economics and Political Science reported that fewer than 2% of applicants for jobs in quantum fields are female.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/WiQ%20presentation.JPG?itok=CWWXVCkZ" width="1500" height="1020" alt="Annalise Cabra holds microphone and Emily Jerris looks on as they present about CU Women of Quantum"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Quantum Scholars Annalise Cabra (left) and Emily Jerris (right) gave a presentation about CU Women of Quantum at the December Quantum Scholars meeting attended by CU President Todd Saliman. (Photo: Casey Cass/精品SM在线影片)</p> </span> </div></div><p>However, in the 100 years since German physicist Werner Heisenberg submitted his paper <a href="http://users.mat.unimi.it/users/galgani/arch/heis25ajp.pdf" rel="nofollow">鈥淥n quantum-theoretical reinterpretation of kinematic and mechanical relationships鈥</a> to the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01328377" rel="nofollow"><em>Zeitschrift f眉r Physik</em></a><em>,&nbsp;</em>a July 1925 event that is broadly credited with kick-starting the quantum revolution, the possibilities and potential of quantum science and engineering have grown enormously.</p><p>Recognizing that potential, a group of 精品SM在线影片 scholars wants to help ensure that women participate equally and fully in quantum science and engineering.</p><p>CU Women of Quantum, founded last semester by <a href="/physics/quantum-scholars" rel="nofollow">Quantum Scholars</a> <a href="https://jila.colorado.edu/lewandowski/people/jerris" rel="nofollow">Emily Jerris</a> and <a href="/physics/2025/02/14/physics-undergrad-awarded-2025-brooke-owens-fellowship" rel="nofollow">Annalise Cabra</a>, aims to be a community of support, connection, mentorship and networking for women interested in pursuing careers or research in quantum fields.</p><p>鈥淥ur primary focus,鈥 Cabra explains, 鈥渋s just to create a space where we can come together, share our experiences and create relationships that are lasting.鈥</p><p><strong>100 years of quantum</strong></p><p>Both Jerris and Cabra say that this is an exciting time to be in quantum science and engineering. Not only did the United Nations declare 2025 as the <a href="https://quantum2025.org/" rel="nofollow">International Year of Quantum Science and Technology,</a> and not only did Colorado Gov. Jared Polis <a href="https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/world-quantum-day-colorado-announces-nation-leading-steps-elevate-k-12-quantum-learning" rel="nofollow">last week announce</a> the <a href="https://www.cde.state.co.us/computerscience/cok12quantumblueprint2025" rel="nofollow">Blueprint for Advancing K鈥12 Quantum Information Technology</a>, but research happening on the 精品SM在线影片 campus and in Colorado is swiftly expanding the boundaries of quantum technology.</p><p>However, they also add that as exciting as this time is, women in quantum fields still face some of the same roadblocks that women in STEM always have.</p><p>鈥淚 think if you asked most of the women in the club or just in a STEM major if they鈥檝e had a moment where a peer or coworker has talked down to them or they felt not necessarily fully included in a project because they were the only woman in the group, I think most probably have,鈥 Jerris says. 鈥淪o, it鈥檚 nice to have a space to talk about that鈥攈ow to navigate situations like that. A lot of us do research, too, and those types of situations are also really prevalent in the research space.鈥</p><p>Jerris and Cabra worked with <a href="/physics/michael-ritzwoller" rel="nofollow">Michael Ritzwoller,</a> a physics professor of distinction and Quantum Scholars co-founder, and physics Professor <a href="/physics/noah-finkelstein" rel="nofollow">Noah Finkelstein</a> to create CU Women of Quantum as a place for not only female Quantum Scholars, but for women across campus who are interested in pursuing careers in quantum science, technology or engineering.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/WiQ%20resume%20review.JPG?itok=cbnb2eD4" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Annalise Cabra and Brooke Nelson sitting at table looking at Annalise's paper resume"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Annalise Cabra (left) works with Brooke Nelson (right), <span>a career advisor for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, on her resume during a recent CU Women of Quantum meeting.</span></p> </span> </div></div><p><strong>Supporting women in quantum</strong></p><p>One of the group鈥檚 aims is creating networking and mentorship opportunities for members by asking professors and women working in quantum fields to speak at group meetings. This has included Alex Tingle, a 精品SM在线影片 physics alumna and senior technical project engineer at Quantinuum, who was named one of the Wonder Women of the Quantum Industry by the Quantum Daily.</p><p>CU Women of Quantum gatherings also focus on skill-building, including a recent meeting at which <a href="/career/about/meet-our-team/brooke-nelson" rel="nofollow">Brooke Nelson</a>, a career advisor for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, gave a presentation on creating and honing a resume.</p><p>鈥淥ne of our goals is to help (CU Women of Quantum members) narrow in on their interests and build connections,鈥 Cabra says. 鈥淎nd then also having opportunities to see how women in their shoes were able to navigate and build careers in quantum. I think it鈥檚 important for a lot of women in the field, too, to go back and encourage other women who are just starting out or just getting interested in quantum.鈥</p><p>The members of CU Women of Quantum also get together for study sessions, 鈥渂ecause even if we鈥檙e not taking the same classes, with other women you can feel more open and not like you鈥檙e the outlier in the group.鈥</p><p>Both Cabra, who is graduating next month, and Jerris, who is completing her third year, are interested in pursuing careers in a quantum field, bolstered by the support they鈥檝e found in CU Women of Quantum.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 so fascinating because it鈥檚 just so unintuitive,鈥 Cabra says. 鈥淚t makes your brain think in such crazy ways, from the ways particles behave to the ways stars don鈥檛 collapse or do collapse, to parallel universes, and it all goes back to quantum. I think it鈥檚 just so exciting to study.鈥</p><p><span>Jerris adds that often the common perception of quantum science and technology is that 鈥渋t鈥檚 kind of magic or something we don鈥檛 totally understand, but we actually do have a pretty good understanding of quantum. We know what鈥檚 going on and can model it, and we鈥檙e maybe just one step behind with how we can actually manipulate things. So, it鈥檚 not magic; it鈥檚 something we do know a lot about and we鈥檙e learning more every day.鈥</span></p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about quantum scholarship?&nbsp;</em><a href="/physics/giving" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Quantum Scholars Emily Jerris and Annalise Cabra started CU Women of Quantum to help women interested in careers in quantum to network and share experiences.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/WiQ%20presentation%202%20cropped.JPG?itok=KYga89Oy" width="1500" height="473" alt="Annalise Cabra holds microphone and Emily Jerris looks on as they present about CU Women of Quantum"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>Top image: Casey Cass/精品SM在线影片</div> Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:46:50 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6123 at /asmagazine College of Arts and Sciences names 2025 Van Ek Scholars /asmagazine/2025/04/16/college-arts-and-sciences-names-2025-van-ek-scholars <span>College of Arts and Sciences names 2025 Van Ek Scholars</span> <span><span>Kylie Clarke</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-16T15:38:02-06:00" title="Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - 15:38">Wed, 04/16/2025 - 15:38</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-04/header-img-05-24-03-11.jpg?h=b8791cf3&amp;itok=809f7_Eh" width="1200" height="800" alt="Old Main"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1155" hreflang="en">Awards</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">College of Arts and Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/526" hreflang="en">Scholarships</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-above"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em><span>Seventeen students receive one of the college鈥檚 most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community</span></em></p><hr><p>The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded the Jacob Van Ek Scholarship鈥攐ne of the college鈥檚 highest honors鈥攖o 17 outstanding undergraduates.</p><p>Named in honor of Jacob Van Ek (1896鈥1999), the award commemorates his remarkable contributions to the university. Van Ek joined 精品SM在线影片 in 1925 as a young assistant professor shortly after earning his doctorate from what is now Iowa State University. Within three years, he rose to the rank of full professor and, by 1929, was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts鈥攁 role he held until 1959.</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-none ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"> <div class="align-left image_style-large_image_style"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Mountain%20views%20from%20walk.jpg?itok=YodgOa6l" width="1500" height="2250" alt="campus view of the mountains"> </div> </div> <p class="small-text">Students walking across campus.</p></div></div></div><p><em>The following students are this year鈥檚 Jakob Van Ek Scholar Award recipients:</em></p><ul><li><span>Danya Al Nazal, Neuroscience/Molecular, Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology</span></li><li><span>Amaneet Brar, Molecular, Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology</span></li><li><span>Michaela De Oliveria Olsen, Integrative Physiology</span></li><li><span>Rachel Suter, Neuroscience/Art Practices</span></li><li><span>Nikolaas Steele, Integrative Physiology</span></li><li><span>Ivory Carpenter, Environmental Studies</span></li><li><span>Karis Lowe, Speech, Language &amp; Hearing Sciences</span></li><li><span>Natalie Sesselmann, Speech, Language &amp; Hearing Sciences/Psychology</span></li><li><span>Brooklyn Phillips, Speech, Language &amp; Hearing Sciences</span></li><li><span>Kalen Sieja, Political Science/Evolutionary Biology</span></li><li><span>Katie Mikell, Evolutionary Biology</span></li><li><span>Kalvyn Adams, Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences/Physics</span></li><li><span>Adriana Ripley, Psychology/French/Musical Theatre</span></li><li><span>Xavier Cisneros, Molecular, Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology/Sociology</span></li><li><span>Marina Levine, Economics/Psychology</span></li><li><span>Devayani Ravuri, Physics</span></li><li><span>Abby Schaller, Political Science</span></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Seventeen students receive one of the college鈥檚 most prestigious honors, recognized for their exemplary academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the campus and broader community.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/header-img-05-24-03-11.jpg?itok=hGtdJFpX" width="1500" height="965" alt="Old Main"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:38:02 +0000 Kylie Clarke 6111 at /asmagazine Picturing climate change in the West /asmagazine/2025/04/02/picturing-climate-change-west <span>Picturing climate change in the West</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-02T14:57:22-06:00" title="Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 14:57">Wed, 04/02/2025 - 14:57</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20on%20mountain.jpg?h=d08f423e&amp;itok=EzorOlCV" width="1200" height="800" alt="Lucas Gauthier in Colorado mountaintop under blue sky"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/676" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1240" hreflang="en">Division of Social Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/130" hreflang="en">Economics</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1284" hreflang="en">Print Magazine 2024</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/rachel-sauer">Rachel Sauer</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>What began as a hobby for 精品SM在线影片 economics undergrad Lucas Gauthier came together as a photographic portfolio documenting the already-evident and potential effects of climate change</em></p><hr><p>Lucas Gauthier and his family moved to Colorado when he was in 6<span>th</span> grade, and after a decade of fairly frequent moves鈥攂oth parents were in the military鈥攖his is where everything made sense: mountains for climbing, runs for skiing, trails for hiking and rivers for rafting.</p><p>They took some convincing, but eventually his parents let him venture out on his own鈥攆orays that grew longer and longer and took him farther and farther into the Colorado wilderness.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20on%20mountain.jpg?itok=sSWYgZRT" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Lucas Gauthier in Colorado mountaintop under blue sky"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Lucas Gauthier, a senior majoring in economics, has photographically documented his adventures in western landscapes since he was in high school.</p> </span> </div></div><p>About four or five years ago, he began taking pictures along the way, usually on his phone. The photography wasn鈥檛 the point, necessarily, 鈥渂ut I found that, especially in Colorado, hiking puts you in some very beautiful places,鈥 he explains. 鈥淚 hike, and the pictures happen while I鈥檓 hiking.鈥</p><p>A through line for what had become a large portfolio of photographs emerged in spring 2024. Gauthier, a senior majoring in <a href="/economics/" rel="nofollow">economics</a> with a focus on natural resource management, was taking <a href="https://classes.colorado.edu/?keyword=ENLP%203100&amp;srcdb=2247" rel="nofollow">ENLP 3100鈥擟omplex Leadership Challenges</a>, a class that requires students to complete three projects during the semester.</p><p>The first two projects were more technically focused, but the third emphasized creating something of personal value. So, Gauthier thought about all the places in Colorado that he loves, scrolling through both his memories and his photos. He realized that what began as an almost offhanded hobby was actually documenting places that would be or already were altered by climate change.</p><p>From that realization was born <a href="https://storymaps.com/stories/674559d093ad4c938f0861a55ec9dc52" rel="nofollow">Climate Change in the West: A Photographic Journal</a>, a multimedia project that incorporates not only data about things like wildfire, heat wave and drought risk and their potential for significant economic impact, but makes it personal with the scenes of incomparable beauty he has witnessed and documented.</p><p>鈥淢y interest in water specifically came from my interest in hiking and skiing and an interest in all outdoor sports,鈥 Gauthier says. 鈥淲hen people say there鈥檚 going to be less rain, less precipitation, that鈥檚 a big deal for me.</p><p>鈥淚 worked and lived in Breckenridge, which is a tourism-dependent area, so if there鈥檚 not enough water, that鈥檚 weeks of ski season that are lost, and there might not be a rafting season, so that鈥檚 where you start to see the overlaps between how climate change is affecting natural systems and the actual economic impacts on livelihoods.鈥</p><p><strong>Capturing what he sees</strong></p><p>鈥淢y interest in photography has been in capturing this broad swath of environments that we get to play in鈥攁s a way to memorialize the experience for myself, and also to share it with others,鈥 Gauthier says.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20sunset.jpg?itok=e2jEUu7Z" width="1500" height="1125" alt="pink sunset in Colorado mountains"> </div> </div></div><p>He took two photography classes in high school, neither of which focused on outdoor or landscape photography, 鈥渂ut I do think those gave me a good idea for how to compose photos and set them up, how to look for different lighting and visual elements,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey got me in the mindset of thinking, 鈥楾his is something that strikes me, and I鈥檒l see if I can frame it in way that works with what I want to capture.鈥欌</p><p>Gauthier was also in high school when he began tackling ever-more-ambitious climbs and started working his way through Colorado鈥檚 58 fourteeners, a goal he completed over the summer. Of those 58, he climbed at least 45 solo.</p><p>鈥(Climbing solo) is kind of a mix of preference and necessity,鈥 Gauthier explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier when the only person you have to plan for logistically is yourself. And when you鈥檙e trying to beat lighting and thunder, it鈥檚 best to move light and fast.鈥</p><p>However, he never moves so fast that he can鈥檛 look around and, if he鈥檚 able, to capture what he鈥檚 seeing in a photograph. And he returns to certain favorite places, enough that he can compare them season by season or year by year.</p><p>鈥淲e鈥檝e had a mix of good and bad snow years, but it鈥檚 been very noticeable when a particular area that usually has good (snow) coverage into May or June has already melted,鈥 he says. 鈥淎nd there have been times when I鈥檝e hiked through area and a few years later it鈥檚 a burn scar, which is a<span>&nbsp; </span>very visceral sense of change in the environment.</p><p>鈥淭hen there are little things like aspens are yellowing at a different date, wildflowers are blooming and stop blooming at different times. While it鈥檚 not as black and white a change, moving those transition points is definitely something that adds up in aggregate.鈥</p><p><strong>Factors of climate change</strong></p><p>Now, as he works his way through Colorado鈥檚 100 highest peaks鈥攈e鈥檚 summited more than 80鈥攁nd completes his bachelor鈥檚 degree, he still is conceptualizing what it all means. Many climate change models are forecast to take decades鈥攊f not centuries鈥攖o happen, but Gauthier is already seeing anecdotal evidence of them. What does that mean for how he exists in the outdoors and what he鈥檚 going to do after he graduates?</p><p>鈥淚 feel like there is a lot of doom and gloom, and I definitely feel that, but at the same time I am very much a person who feels like I have to say what I鈥檓 going to do about it,鈥 he says. 鈥淲ith my area of emphasis in environmental economics, it鈥檚 about acknowledging that we have these issues and asking how we address them through actual, tangible means. For me, that means engaging in actual political and broader social processes. When I鈥檓 engaged in something, I feel less powerless.</p><p>鈥淚 think the main point that I wanted to communicate with this project was emphasizing how each of these different factors of climate change are integrated,鈥 he says. 鈥淔ires affect water quality, flooding affects agriculture and all of it impacts places that I and a lot of other people love.鈥</p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20sand%20dune.jpg?itok=g_r0xWbF" width="1500" height="1125" alt="sand dune in Great Sand Dunes National Park under blue sky"> </div> </div><div class="col ucb-column"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20creek.jpg?itok=4CuLwaRs" width="1500" height="1124" alt="Colorado creek edged by green-leafed aspen"> </div> </div></div><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20snowy%20mountain.jpg?itok=PvPmslOz" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Colorado mountain view of evergreens and slopes covered in snow"> </div> </div><div class="col ucb-column"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20redrock.jpg?itok=rNxSUqLt" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Red rock and Colorado mountains under blue sky with scattered clouds"> </div> </div></div><p>&nbsp;</p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about economics?&nbsp;</em><a href="/economics/news-events/donate-economics-department" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>What began as a hobby for 精品SM在线影片 economics undergrad Lucas Gauthier came together as a photographic portfolio documenting the already-evident and potential effects of climate change.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/Lucas%20Gauthier%20redrock%20cropped.jpg?itok=sJh8jO20" width="1500" height="525" alt="Colorado redrock and mountains under blue sky"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:57:22 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6093 at /asmagazine Did ChatGPT write this? No, but how would you know? /asmagazine/2025/03/03/did-chatgpt-write-no-how-would-you-know <span>Did ChatGPT write this? No, but how would you know?</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-03T14:34:42-07:00" title="Monday, March 3, 2025 - 14:34">Mon, 03/03/2025 - 14:34</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-03/iStock-1466243153.jpg?h=43b39de5&amp;itok=m6uINE9r" width="1200" height="800" alt="illustration of white robot hands over keyboard on blue manual typewriter"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1241" hreflang="en">Division of Arts and Humanities</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/320" hreflang="en">English</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/686" hreflang="en">Research</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <span>Collette Mace</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em><span lang="EN">In her Writing in the Age of AI course, 精品SM在线影片鈥檚 Teresa Nugent helps students think critically about new technology</span></em></p><hr><p><span lang="EN">One of the most contentious subjects in academia now is the use of AI in writing. Many educators fear that students use it as a substitute&nbsp;</span><a href="https://slejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40561-024-00316-7" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN">for critical thinking</span></a><span lang="EN">. And while students fear that they鈥檙e going to be accused of using it instead of doing their own critical thinking, some still use it anyway.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Some students, like their instructors, fear what AI is capable of, and they are highly uncomfortable with the risks associated with its use.</span></p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-03/Teresa%20Nugent.jpg?itok=mnuUBTXM" width="1500" height="1679" alt="headshot of Teresa Nugent"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Teresa Nugent, a 精品SM在线影片 teaching associate professor of English, invites students in the Writing in the Age of AI course to <span lang="EN">experiment with AI as part of their writing process and critically reflect on how these tools influence their ideas.</span></p> </span> </div></div><p><a href="/english/teresa-nugent" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN">Teresa Nugent</span></a><span lang="EN">, a 精品SM在线影片 teaching associate professor of&nbsp;</span><a href="/english/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN">English</span></a><span lang="EN">, has seen all these perspectives. When she first read the 2023 essay 鈥</span><a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/im-a-student-you-have-no-idea-how-much-were-using-chatgpt" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN">I鈥檓 a Student. You Have No Idea How Much We鈥檙e Using ChatGPT</span></a><span lang="EN">鈥 by Columbia University undergraduate Owen Kichizo Terry, she knew that it was time for educators </span><em><span lang="EN">and</span></em><span lang="EN"> students to better understand AI use in writing, even though it was scary.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Two years later, she is in her second semester of teaching ENGL 3016, Writing in the Age of AI. In this course, Nugent invites students to experiment with AI as part of their writing process and critically reflect on how these tools influence their ideas. Her students have conversations with chatbots about topics that they know well and evaluate whether the bots actually know what they鈥檙e talking about.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Nugent says she hopes that taking a class in which they are encouraged to talk about AI use allows students to explore possibilities, play with these tools, test their capabilities and determine how best to use them. By teaching students how to use AI as a tool to help develop their critical thinking skills instead of just avoiding that hard work, Nugent aims to prompt students to think about the wider implications of AI, and where it can ethically fit into an academic curriculum.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">鈥淲e as educators have an obligation to help our students develop the skills that they鈥檙e going to need in the world that is developing around all of us,鈥 Nugent says. 鈥淚f we try to pretend AI isn鈥檛 here, we are doing students a disservice. We need to find ways to inspire students to want to learn; we need to spark their curiosity and motivate them to find meaningful connections between course content and the world.鈥</span></p><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Mixed feelings about AI</strong></span></p><p><span lang="EN">Not all students are enthusiastic about AI. Nugent explains that, since the class fulfills an upper-level writing requirement, she has students of all different majors and experience levels. Many students, she notes, come in with a great deal of apprehension about using AI, something the class discusses openly on day one.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Nugent asks her students to think of a story they鈥檝e been told鈥攐ften by a parent or grandparent鈥攁bout what life was like before some commonplace technology鈥攍ike cell phones or the internet鈥攚as invented.</span></p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-03/robot%20and%20human%20hand.jpg?itok=c8v8DD8K" width="1500" height="1000" alt="robot left hand and human right hand on laptop computer keyboard"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text"><span lang="EN">鈥淚f we try to pretend AI isn鈥檛 here, we are doing students a disservice," says Teresa Nugent, 精品SM在线影片 teaching associate professor of English.</span></p> </span> </div></div><p><span lang="EN">Someday, she reminds her students, they'll tell stories about what the world was like before generative AI. New technology is always emerging, and the best way to adapt to the changing world is to keep learning about it, she says.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Nugent also acknowledges the real risks that come with AI use. She offers students a plethora of readings expressing a range of perspectives on the subject鈥攊ncluding&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/132784/technopoly-by-neil-postman/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN">Neil Postman鈥檚</span></a><span lang="EN"> concerns about the unintended consequences of technological innovations and Mustafa Suleyman鈥檚 warning about the need to contain AI in his book </span><em><span lang="EN">The Coming Wave</span></em><span lang="EN">. Students read writings about how current educators have grappled with the release of AI chatbots and science fiction media depictions of AI, including the film </span><em><span lang="EN">Her</span></em><span lang="EN"> and the dystopian serial </span><em><span lang="EN">Black Mirror</span></em><span lang="EN">.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Students also read texts about the harmful effects of AI on the environment, the issues of class and social justice that are entangled with AI use and psychological studies concerning AI.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Overall, Nugent says she wants students to leave the class with an informed understanding of AI. For their final project, students are required to research an aspect of AI in which they are particularly interested.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">She says this leads to a wide array of research topics, often based on students鈥 majors; for example, an environmental studies major might research how to use renewable energy sources to power data centers. After writing academic papers, students reframe their research into a 鈥渂log鈥 format that a general audience would find easily understandable.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">鈥淜nowledge is power,鈥 Nugent says. 鈥淏eing well informed about something always gives one more of a sense of agency than not being informed.鈥 Ultimately, Nugent says she hopes that students will leave the class feeling confident and prepared to offer their knowledge about AI to society and keep themselves and others informed about this moment in technological history.</span></p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about English?&nbsp;</em><a href="/english/donate" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>In her Writing in the Age of AI course, 精品SM在线影片鈥檚 Teresa Nugent helps students think critically about new technology.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-03/robot%20hands%20typewriter.jpg?itok=n_pkJ7TD" width="1500" height="498" alt="illustration of white robot hands over keyboard on blue manual typewriter"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:34:42 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6078 at /asmagazine Outstanding grad unearths roots of challenges to Black women authors /asmagazine/2024/12/20/outstanding-grad-unearths-roots-challenges-black-women-authors <span>Outstanding grad unearths roots of challenges to Black women authors</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-12-20T08:10:36-07:00" title="Friday, December 20, 2024 - 08:10">Fri, 12/20/2024 - 08:10</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2024-12/Jane%20Forman%20thumbnail.jpg?h=a7ae1b19&amp;itok=MIfCj_6e" width="1200" height="800" alt="Jane Forman on 精品SM在线影片 campus"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1241" hreflang="en">Division of Arts and Humanities</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/320" hreflang="en">English</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/294" hreflang="en">Outstanding Graduate</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/616" hreflang="en">Undergraduate research</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/clint-talbott">Clint Talbott</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em><span>Jane Forman, who is earning her BA in English, summa cum laude, is named the college鈥檚 outstanding graduate for fall 2024</span></em></p><hr><p>Jane Forman has painstakingly recounted evidence that Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones and other prominent Black women authors have faced challenges to the authenticity and quality of their work, and that these critiques emanate from racist and sexist conceptions of who is rightly considered an author and an authority.</p><p>Forman, who is earning her BA in English, <em>summa cum laude,&nbsp;</em>deeply<em>&nbsp;</em>impressed her faculty committee, and she has been named the outstanding graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences for fall 2024<em>.</em></p><p>Her thesis is titled 鈥淒econstructing Archival Debris in the Margins: How Black Women Writers Navigate Intersectional Oppression During the Authorial Identity Formation Process.鈥</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Jane%20Forman%20mountains.jpg?itok=WDdvTQUc" width="1500" height="2000" alt="Jane Forman by lake in mountains"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p class="small-text">Jane Forman, <span>who is earning her BA in English, </span><em><span>summa cum laude</span></em><span>, is the College of Arts and Science outstanding graduate for fall 2024.</span></p> </span> </div></div><p>In this work, Forman considers cases of Black women authors who were unfairly denigrated and rebuked because their intersectional identity made them targets. Forman cites troubling episodes of Claudine Gay, former president of Harvard; Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the Pulitzer-winning 1619 Project; Toni Morrison, winner of a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize; and others.</p><p>When she spoke recently with Daryl Maeda, interim dean of the college, Forman described her thesis as a 鈥渃ontemplation of how our history continuously influences contemporary figurations of American life.鈥</p><p>In her thesis, she concludes: 鈥淭he history of slavery is all of ours to confront, disregarding our contemporary racial and gender positionality in America. The virulent debris that emerged from slavery鈥檚 formal demolition continues to infect society today 鈥&nbsp;<span> </span>We are all implicated in how this history attempts to exert influence over our collective present and future.鈥</p><p>Jennifer Ho, director of the Center for Humanities and the Arts, Eaton Professor of Humanities and the Arts and professor of ethnic studies, served as Forman鈥檚 thesis advisor. In her written narrative to the faculty thesis defense form, Ho said Forman鈥檚 thesis was made especially strong by her tracing of the 鈥渁rchival debris鈥 across three periods of Black female authorship:</p><p>鈥淯sing critical race theory as her main theoretical touchstone, Jane considers the intersectional oppression that plagues Black women writers鈥攖he way that they must continuously navigate charges of plagiarism, incompetence and illegitimacy. Combining close reading/explication with theoretical applications of critical race theory, Jane takes readers through the troubling trend of discounting Black women writers due to sexism and racism, linked to U.S. history of anti-Black racism and white supremacy.鈥</p><p>In a letter of support for Forman, Emily Harrington, an associate professor of English who served on Forman鈥檚 committee, said Forman鈥檚 work 鈥渋s easily the best senior thesis I have read during my career.鈥</p><p>Through all her thesis chapters, Forman 鈥渄raws a direct connection between the various ways in which Black women authors have been questioned both in their authenticity and in the quality of their work, from the 鈥榝irst鈥 African American poet to the present day,鈥 Harrington said, adding:</p><p>鈥淗aving also taken graduate seminars as an undergraduate, Jane is the most advanced undergraduate I have encountered at CU. 鈥 She has been a leader in our department, and I cannot think of a more 鈥榦utstanding undergraduate.鈥欌</p><p>In the acknowledgment section of her thesis, Forman shares some personal reflection and advice:</p><p>鈥淔or anyone uncertain of what they should do or where they should go, I urge you to follow the path that leads you toward the most expansive feeling. Three years ago, I dropped out of Georgetown University, unsure of what my life would be like. I didn鈥檛 know where I wanted to be, but I knew I couldn鈥檛 stay there. Despite the tumultuous journey that led me here, I feel eternally grateful for where I ended up.鈥</p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about English?&nbsp;</em><a href="/english/donate" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Jane Forman, who is earning her BA in English, summa cum laude, is named the college鈥檚 outstanding graduate for fall 2024.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Jane%20Forman%20cropped.jpg?itok=KIKPZlUi" width="1500" height="644" alt="Jane Forman on 精品SM在线影片 campus"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:10:36 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6040 at /asmagazine CU president urges Quantum Scholars to think critically and creatively /asmagazine/2024/12/10/cu-president-urges-quantum-scholars-think-critically-and-creatively <span>CU president urges Quantum Scholars to think critically and creatively</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-12-10T16:20:49-07:00" title="Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - 16:20">Tue, 12/10/2024 - 16:20</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2024-12/Todd%20Saliman%20thumbnail.JPG?h=af85fd7f&amp;itok=XkaGGNEq" width="1200" height="800" alt="CU President Todd Saliman"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1242" hreflang="en">Division of Natural Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/428" hreflang="en">Physics</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1269" hreflang="en">quantum</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/rachel-sauer">Rachel Sauer</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>At the program鈥檚 December meeting, Todd Saliman reaffirmed CU鈥檚 commitment to the quantum education and research happening on campus</em></p><hr><p>The way University of Colorado President Todd Saliman sees it, 鈥(quantum) is a sector where Colorado is uniquely well-situated... I want us to be the one. I want us to be front of the line. I want us to be leading the world.鈥</p><p>As for the Quantum Scholars he was addressing Wednesday evening, their mission is to think 鈥渃ritically and creatively, and be dynamic human beings,鈥 Saliman said.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Saliman_Quantum.CC36.JPG?itok=Ht2_tjzD" width="1500" height="1027" alt="Noah Finkelstein directing Quantum Scholars meeting"> </div> <p>Professor Noah Finkelstein co-directs Quantum Scholars with Michael Ritzwoller. (Photo: Casey A. Cass/精品SM在线影片)</p></div></div><p>Saliman was a guest speaker at the December meeting of <a href="/physics/quantum-scholars" rel="nofollow">Quantum Scholars</a>, a program conceived in the 精品SM在线影片 <a href="/physics/" rel="nofollow">Department of Physics</a> and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) that offers undergraduate students opportunities&nbsp;to learn about the quantum field, including connections with local industry leaders and introduction to new quantum technology.</p><p>The Quantum Scholars program includes undergraduates studying physics, engineering and computer science and aims to advance quantum education and workforce development through professional development, co-curricular activities and industrial engagement.</p><p>鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to extend what the Quantum Scholars are learning in class to make their education even more marketable and relevant,鈥 said Michael Ritzwoller, a physics professor of distinction and Quantum Scholars founder with CEAS Dean Keith Molenaar. 鈥淢ore than 80% of our graduates eventually work in industry, so Quantum Scholars helps fill that gap.鈥</p><p>Scott Davis (PhDPhys鈥99), CEO of Vescent Technologies Inc. and a member of the Department of Physics advisory committee, told students at the Wednesday meeting that they are 鈥渁t a special place鈥 and cited the <a href="https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Senate-Quantum-Reauthorization.pdf" rel="nofollow">National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act&nbsp;(S. 5411),</a> introduced in the U.S. Senate last week, which would authorize $2.7 billion over the next five years for quantum research and development at federal agencies and shift focus 鈥渇rom basic research to practical applications.鈥</p><p>鈥淪o much of that started because of this institution,鈥 Davis said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really just at the beginning, and we need CU to keep doing what you鈥檙e doing鈥攖echnical development, workforce development, inventing the future.鈥</p><p><strong>Supporting scholars</strong></p><p>For Denali Jah, a senior majoring in engineering physics who has been a Quantum Scholar since the program began in spring 2023, the benefits of participating in it are many. The $2,500 that Quantum Scholars receive during the academic year鈥攕upported by the Department of Physics and CEAS, as well as contributions from alumni, industry and external partners鈥攇ave his budget some wiggle room so he could participate more fully in research and community initiatives.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Saliman_Quantum.CC75.JPG?itok=a_dnzSy_" width="1500" height="1016" alt="Todd Saliman addresses Quantum Scholars"> </div> <p>CU President Todd Saliman (left) spoke to Quantum Scholars at the program's monthly meeting. (Photo: Casey A. Cass/精品SM在线影片)</p></div></div><p>鈥淚 was looking for some way to contribute to the physics department and really put my stamp on CU before I left,鈥 Jah says. 鈥淧rofessor Ritzwoller and I were talking and he said, 鈥業 really want a quantum hackathon to happen here at CU,鈥 so Annalise Cabra and I organized the quantum hackathon.</p><p>鈥淚t was a really great success on the whole, and a great opportunity for Quantum Scholars to be able to get some industry initiatives that were much better integrated into our program. One way that I see Quantum Scholars is we鈥檙e a curation of student opportunities. Everybody is really working to be able to create more and more initiatives and opportunities throughout campus.鈥</p><p>Luke Coffman, a senior studying physics and mathematics, is leveraging his time as a Quantum Scholar to study 鈥渦seful ideas for quantum computation,鈥 he noted during the Wednesday meeting. Specifically, he鈥檚 interested in molecular simulation for qubit systems and suggested that perhaps quantum sensing will happen before quantum computation.</p><p>鈥淭heoretical quantum computing will always be hot,鈥 added Noah Finkelstein, a professor of physics and Quantum Scholars co-director.</p><p>In response to a question from Alexander Aronov, a junior studying mechanical engineering, about whether quantum science is in a period of over-hype, Davis noted that the technology field broadly has long existed in a cycle of hype and bust: 鈥淚s that happening in quantum?鈥 he asked. 鈥淚 take a fairly broad view of what it means to be in quantum systems and a quantum player.</p><p>鈥淓xploiting quantum to our benefit is not hype; it鈥檚 real鈥 It鈥檚 been slowly building for a long time, especially the amount of money (dedicated to quantum research and development) on the public side because of national security aspects. We exploit the laws of physics to the advantage of humanity, and that鈥檚 not going anywhere.鈥</p><p>Saliman said that as an institution, CU is committed to quantum鈥攖o building and leveraging public and private partnerships that help fund the research and development of which Quantum Scholars are or will be a part. 鈥淥ur job is to support smart people, and translating the discoveries made here into practical applications is going to help pay for it.鈥</p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about Quantum Scholars?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://giving.cu.edu/fund/quantum-scholars-program-support-fund" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>At the program鈥檚 December meeting, Todd Saliman reaffirmed CU鈥檚 commitment to the quantum education and research happening on campus.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Quantum%20group%20cropped.JPG?itok=gVOD8AP3" width="1500" height="486" alt="CU President Todd Saliman (second from left) talks with (left to right) professors Noah Finkelstein and Tobin Munsat, Scott Davis and Professor Michael Ritzwoller. (Photo: Casey A. Cass/精品SM在线影片)"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>CU President Todd Saliman (second from left) talks with (left to right) professors Noah Finkelstein and Tobin Munsat, Scott Davis and Professor Michael Ritzwoller. (Photo: Casey A. Cass/精品SM在线影片)</div> Tue, 10 Dec 2024 23:20:49 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6034 at /asmagazine Partnering with bots for better learning /asmagazine/2024/11/25/partnering-bots-better-learning <span>Partnering with bots for better learning</span> <span><span>Rachel Sauer</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-11-25T07:30:00-07:00" title="Monday, November 25, 2024 - 07:30">Mon, 11/25/2024 - 07:30</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2024-11/AI%20bots%20thumbnail.jpg?h=119335f7&amp;itok=-gjzgkBH" width="1200" height="800" alt="hand pointing at laptop keyboard with AI images floating above it"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1242" hreflang="en">Division of Natural Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/174" hreflang="en">Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/686" hreflang="en">Research</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <span>Cody DeBos</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead">精品SM在线影片 Professor Mike Klymkowsky uses AI tools to help students develop critical-thinking skills</p><hr><p>For many, the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) taking on an expanded role in academia stirs uneasy feelings. Visions of computer-generated tutors and students 鈥渨riting鈥 essays using a chatbot paint a cold, impersonal destiny for education. However, <a href="/mcdb/mike-klymkowsky" rel="nofollow">Mike Klymkowsky</a>, a professor of <a href="/mcdb/" rel="nofollow">molecular, cellular and developmental biology</a> at the 精品SM在线影片, pictures a different future.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 a tool that students will need to master, but its role will be largely determined by how the institution sets standards,鈥 Klymkowsky says.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-medium"><div class="ucb-callout-content"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-12/Mike%20Klymkowski%20bopok.jpg?itok=E-KtFRsn" width="1500" height="1822" alt="Mike Klymkowsky reading children's book"> </div> <p>Mike Klymkowsky, a 精品SM在线影片 professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, is using AI tools in the classroom to help students grow critical thinking skills.</p></div></div><p>Klymkowsky, a veteran educator and innovator, is experimenting with AI not to provide answers to students, but to prompt intelligent questions and facilitate more effective learning. Through self-made AI assessment tools and interactive, personified tutor bots, he encourages students to shift their mindset from memorizing facts to becoming active champions of critical thinking.</p><p>Ultimately, Klymkowsky says, the aim of education is to foster skills that extend far beyond the classroom.</p><p>鈥淭he goal isn鈥檛 just to remember the right answer,鈥 he says; 鈥渋t鈥檚 to understand why that answer makes sense and why the other answers don鈥檛.鈥</p><p><strong>Developing more meaningful feedback and assessment</strong></p><p>Klymkowsky argues that traditional grading methods, particularly multiple-choice exams, fail to measure true comprehension; they look only for memorization.</p><p>Fortunately, he says, AI tools offer a different solution.</p><p>鈥淲hen ChatGPT came out, it became clear to me and everyone else in the universe that these were tools that allowed you to do things you鈥檇 always wanted to do,鈥 he explains.</p><p>By automating the analysis of students鈥 responses to open-ended prompts, AI can quickly highlight which concepts cause them to struggle and where instructors can spend more time. Such tasks involving quick analysis of vast datasets to identify patterns are where AI excels, Klymkowsky says.</p><p>鈥淣ow you can evaluate instructors on whether their learning goals are meaningful and whether the students are achieving them,鈥 Klymkowsky says.</p><p>His <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.07481" rel="nofollow">鈥淒ewey鈥 AI bot</a> can reduce days of manually combing through exam responses down to minutes, offering insights that allow him to target lectures more precisely and understand if learning outcomes are being reached.</p><p>Klymkowsky says this approach is key to helping students understand not just what they got wrong but why鈥攁nd how to improve.</p><p><strong>From cramming to critical thinking</strong></p><p>Klymkowsky鈥檚 approach to AI addresses a long-standing challenge in academia: the prevalence of rote memorization.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-11/multiple%20choice%20test%20sheet.jpg?itok=ZzrOIfKn" width="1500" height="1000" alt="hand holding blue pen, filling in multiple choice sheet"> </div> <p>鈥淲henever a class starts using multiple-choice questions to answer, forget critical thinking. You鈥檙e not asking them how they got the answer; you鈥檙e asking them whether they recognize it,鈥 says Mike Klymkowsky.&nbsp;</p></div></div><p>鈥淲henever a class starts using multiple-choice questions to answer, forget critical thinking,鈥 he explains. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not asking them how they got the answer; you鈥檙e asking them whether they recognize it.鈥</p><p>Klymkowsky, an avid proponent of exploratory, inquiry-based learning, created an AI 鈥渢utor bot鈥 called 鈥淩ita鈥 to enhance his students鈥 learning. The bot uses a technology known as retrieval-generated augmentation and is trained on information provided by Klymkowsky, including lecture materials and textbooks. Limiting the bot鈥檚 knowledge to a select dataset prevents it from 鈥渉allucinating鈥濃攎aking up potentially incorrect or misleading answers to questions it doesn鈥檛 know.</p><p>鈥淥ur bots, when you ask them a question they don鈥檛 know, they say 鈥業 don鈥檛 know.鈥 If you ask ChatGPT or Claude a question, it鈥檒l answer whether it knows it or not,鈥 he says.</p><p>Klymkowsky views Rita as a patient guide capable of leading students through complex materials at their own pace.</p><p>鈥淭hese bots don鈥檛 just spit out answers,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey respond based on what students already know and ask follow-up questions to deepen their understanding.鈥</p><p>He also explains that the bots can be tailored to specific disciplines with a custom knowledge base. Keeping the bots within their trained parameters ensures students can rely on them to deliver accurate information without straying into unfamiliar territory.</p><p>鈥淵ou want to have the bot be focused on what the learning outcomes of the department are,鈥 Klymkowsky says. 鈥淪o, if students are engaging with a bot in a biology course, that bot is designed to know what it knows and what it doesn鈥檛 know.鈥</p><p>Tutor bots like Rita use the Socratic teaching model to promote critical thinking. They work with students to challenge their assumptions and develop solid explanations for their reasoning.</p><p>鈥淚magine being able to practice asking questions with a bot that makes you feel appreciated because it never loses its patience, right? It鈥檚 never snarky,鈥 Klymkowsky says.</p><p>Rita won鈥檛 simply ask a student for the answer. In the form of a conversation, the bot asks for a reflection on why the student believes their answer is correct鈥攐r why it isn鈥檛鈥攖o help them grasp the underlying principles of a given topic.</p><p>鈥淭he goal is not to memorize facts, but to understand the why and how behind them,鈥 Klymkowsky says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about cultivating the kind of thinking that lets students ask the right questions鈥攁nd teaches them how to start finding answers independently.鈥</p><p><strong>Engaging students beyond the classroom</strong></p><p>In addition to Socratic tutor bots, Klymkowsky is using Notebook LM to <a href="https://klymkowsky.github.io/klymkowskylab/CLUE+biofundamentals%20podcasts.html" rel="nofollow">explore AI-generated podcasts</a> as a novel tool to spark curiosity. As with Rita, he creates these podcasts using a limited dataset, such as a course textbook.</p><p>The AI tool then turns the input into a two-way conversation between virtual speakers. Despite the surreal experience of listening to an entirely non-human conversation, the format allows students to explore high-level information in a more accessible style through a medium many younger adults favor.</p><p>鈥淭he goal with these podcasts is to give students a jumping-off point鈥攕omething that piques their interest and motivates them to dig deeper,鈥 Klymkowsky explains.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><blockquote><p class="lead"><span>鈥淭he goal is not to memorize facts, but to understand the why and how behind them. It鈥檚 about cultivating the kind of thinking that lets students ask the right questions鈥攁nd teaches them how to start finding answers independently.鈥</span></p></blockquote></div></div><p>Each podcast episode introduces a biology concept, immersing students through storytelling and examples.</p><p>While the application is promising, Klymkowsky knows producing such content is a tricky balancing act of depth and attention span: 鈥淲hat is the attention span of the student? How long are you going to keep them on task before you ask them to do something themselves?鈥</p><p>Despite this challenge, Klymkowsky believes AI podcasts can complement classroom learning by acting as conversation starters.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 more about using the podcast to motivate students to go read the book or the chapter鈥攐r to ask questions that they wouldn鈥檛 otherwise consider,鈥 he says.</p><p>From there, students can bring their questions into class discussions or interact with a tutor bot to reinforce their learning.</p><p>By embracing AI tools like Socratic tutor bots and podcasts, Klymkowsky believes it鈥檚 possible to create an educational space where students can deepen their understanding through diverse content formats while cultivating a habit of lifelong learning that goes beyond a multiple-choice bubble.</p><p><strong>Fueling curiosity, one question at a time</strong></p><p>As technology continues to shape academia, Klymkowsky emphasizes that AI, when thoughtfully applied, needn鈥檛 be the villain. Instead, it can be a powerful catalyst for cultivating critical thinking.</p><p>鈥淚f you don鈥檛 understand a thing, can you ask an intelligent question?鈥 Klymkowsky says.</p><p>With AI as a partner, he says he believes students can learn to ask those questions, and that AI can be used to develop curiosity and intellectual resilience鈥攕kills that will serve students far longer than a perfectly memorized breakdown of the Krebs cycle.&nbsp;</p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about molecular, cellular and developmental biology?&nbsp;</em><a href="/mcdb/donate" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>精品SM在线影片 Professor Mike Klymkowsky uses AI tools to help students develop critical-thinking skills.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-11/AI%20bots%20header.jpg?itok=5LNJ7qGP" width="1500" height="518" alt="hand pointing at laptop keyboard with AI images floating above it"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:30:00 +0000 Rachel Sauer 6022 at /asmagazine Scholar learns that 鈥榣anguage links us all鈥 /asmagazine/2024/09/05/scholar-learns-language-links-us-all <span>Scholar learns that 鈥榣anguage links us all鈥</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-05T10:46:45-06:00" title="Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 10:46">Thu, 09/05/2024 - 10:46</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/cooper_baldwin_wide.jpg?h=dce21eeb&amp;itok=sjWhxoZ2" width="1200" height="800" alt="Cooper Baldwin"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1240" hreflang="en">Division of Social Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/212" hreflang="en">Political Science</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/526" hreflang="en">Scholarships</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <span>Doug McPherson</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>Political science undergrad Cooper Baldwin wins prestigious U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to learn 鈥榦ne of the most critical languages for future United States policy鈥</em></p><hr><p>Cooper Baldwin, a junior from San Antonio, Texas, majoring in political science and journalism, has been named a recipient of the 2024 <a href="https://clscholarship.org/" rel="nofollow">Critical Language Scholarship</a> (CLS) from the U.S. Department of State.</p><p>The scholarship allows American college and university students to learn languages that are key to America's engagement with the world.</p><p>Baldwin is the only 精品SM在线影片 student to receive the CLS in the last two years. Just 500 undergraduate and graduate students in the United States are chosen each year from an application pool of more than 5,000 students, according to the Department of State.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><div> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/cooper_baldwin.jpg?itok=KbjLJ67n" width="750" height="715" alt="Cooper Baldwin"> </div> <p>Cooper Baldwin, a junior majoring in political science and journalism, received a 2024 Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State and studied Russian over the summer.</p></div></div></div><p>As a CLS recipient, Baldwin chose to study Russian (over Arabic and Chinese) and spent the summer learning the basics of the language online from what he calls 鈥渁n awesome instructional team鈥 based in Chi葯in膬u, Moldova. Russian was the language he鈥檚 most interested in learning, he says, and he wanted to get the basics down before he applied to go to a Russian-speaking country next summer and study the language in more detail.</p><p>鈥淚n my opinion, Russian is one of the most critical languages for future United States policy facilitators, executors and diplomats to learn,鈥 Baldwin says. 鈥淣ot only is it primarily spoken in many Eastern European countries, it鈥檚 the cornerstone of many languages and dialects worldwide. So, with such a broad reach, the choice seemed obvious to me.鈥</p><p>He says his initial curiosity about Russian stems, in part, from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine: 鈥淭he invasion 鈥 stoked a connection to that part of the world. To be honest, the invasion seemed entirely surreal to me, and the onset of a full, unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country rattled the conceptions I had about the relative peaceful nature of nations worldwide. I鈥檝e never lived in a world without Russian aggression and a tense atmosphere from the Kremlin toward the United States.鈥</p><p><strong>'A patriot above all'</strong></p><p>Baldwin鈥攚ho is interested in international relations, geopolitical relations, history and national security鈥攃alls himself 鈥渁 patriot above all鈥 who wants to give back to the United States.</p><p>鈥淚 believe the CLS program is the perfect way to do that. To learn a language critical to the U.S.'s national security and economic interests nationwide will allow me to pursue this commitment and philosophy fervently, which I intend to do.鈥</p><p>He calls his career goals 鈥渂ig and numerous鈥 and says that working on political campaigns boosted his interest in politics and government.</p><p>鈥淭o those who know me, it's no secret that I鈥檓 thoroughly committed to entering the field of politics, campaigns or government when I graduate from CU. I intend on using my studies and experiences to seek a role in the federal government.鈥</p><p>He hopes to work in the Department of State, Homeland Security, intelligence services, civil military service or policy administration.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left fa-3x fa-pull-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i></p><p>I want to live a life of service to the country that has given me so much. I know it is my birthright to be an American, but I see it as an incredible and awe-inspiring privilege to say I am.鈥</p><p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote></div></div><p>鈥淚 want to live a life of service to the country that has given me so much. I know it is my birthright to be an American, but I see it as an incredible and awe-inspiring privilege to say I am.鈥&nbsp;</p><p>Baldwin says that for as long as he can remember, he鈥檚 had a 鈥渄eep interest鈥 in language and linguistics.</p><p>鈥淭hey鈥檝e been an intellectual love of mine,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 taught myself to read at age 4 because I was so deeply invested in language and its capability for beautiful, complex expression. I find it incredibly interesting that people worldwide have such different ways of expressing themselves. Language links us all.鈥</p><p>He credits his middle school Spanish teacher in San Antonio for bolstering his interest in languages, and adds that she encouraged him to excel in class.</p><p>鈥淢y teacher never told me to slow down, to stay on pace with the class, to stop answering all the questions she asked,鈥 he says. 鈥淪he always gave me more material to push my studies further and took time 鈥 to give me additional practice with the language. The CLS program was the perfect opportunity to pursue language at the rapid pace I鈥檓 capable of, and it challenged me every day. I absolutely loved that.鈥&nbsp;</p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about political science?&nbsp;</em><a href="/artsandsciences/giving/your-giving-action/political-science" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Political science undergrad Cooper Baldwin wins prestigious U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to learn 鈥榦ne of the most critical languages for future United States policy.'</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/feature-title-image/cls_header.jpg?itok=ClFo4QbG" width="1500" height="769" alt> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:46:45 +0000 Anonymous 5965 at /asmagazine Scientists help students vanquish research-experience Catch-22 /asmagazine/2024/06/05/scientists-help-students-vanquish-research-experience-catch-22 <span>Scientists help students vanquish research-experience Catch-22</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-06-05T16:13:25-06:00" title="Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - 16:13">Wed, 06/05/2024 - 16:13</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/laboratory_header.jpg?h=fe37cce2&amp;itok=es-kZw-z" width="1200" height="800" alt="people working in science laboratory"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1242" hreflang="en">Division of Natural Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/174" hreflang="en">Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/686" hreflang="en">Research</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/rachel-sauer">Rachel Sauer</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>In new publication, 精品SM在线影片 scientists detail how the SkillsCenter allows students to gain credentials in basic to advanced research skills</em></p><hr><p>It鈥檚 an unfortunate truth of higher education that students are not exempt from a classic Catch-22: You need research experience to gain research experience.</p><p>鈥淯ndergraduates participating in research is a key variable for enhancing their persistence in STEM professions,鈥 explains <a href="/outreach/scope/zack-hazlett" rel="nofollow">Zachary Hazlett</a>, a PhD candidate in the 精品SM在线影片 <a href="/mcdb/" rel="nofollow">Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology</a>.&nbsp; 鈥淏ut to gain access to opportunities in research is not the most straightforward. For a lot of students, these things aren鈥檛 baked into their undergraduate degree plan.鈥</p><p>So, students seeking research-focused internships, jobs or higher education opportunities after graduation are often inconsistently prepared with the necessary skills and experience. Hence, the <a href="https://skillscenter.colorado.edu/index.html" rel="nofollow">SkillsCenter</a>.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><div> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/zachary_hazlett.jpg?itok=R4YE3eJT" width="750" height="750" alt="Zachary Hazlett"> </div> <p>Zachary Hazlett, a PhD candidate in the 精品SM在线影片 Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, is a lead TA on the SkillsCenter proctor team and first author on a paper newly publish in <em>Cell</em> detailing the organizing philosophy, structure and goals&nbsp;of SkillsCenter.</p></div></div></div><p>As detailed in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00412-4" rel="nofollow">a paper newly published</a>&nbsp;in the journal <em>Cell</em>, the SkillsCenter is a modular research skills training course that allows students to 鈥済ain training and micro-credentials in the laboratory skills of their choosing.鈥</p><p>In other words, Hazlett says, 鈥渨hat if there was a bridge, something between the classroom and these research spaces that can allow students to gain that necessary experience? That can help equip them to enter those spaces both confidently and competently?鈥</p><p><strong>Module-based curriculum</strong></p><p>The SkillsCenter, which is open to students of every major, emerged, in part, from a recognition that undergraduate students have often gained research experiences 鈥渂y cold-calling faculty members and saying, 鈥業鈥檇 like to work in research, are there any opportunities in your lab?鈥欌 Hazlett says.</p><p>Understandably, faculty often ask what their previous experience is, and if a student doesn鈥檛 have any, they have to hope they鈥檒l get lucky and find a faculty member willing to teach them.</p><p>So, faculty and graduate students in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, led by Professor <a href="/mcdb/michael-stowell" rel="nofollow">Michael Stowell</a>, began researching and discussing alternative means by which undergraduate students could gain the training and experience they need to gain these critical professional development opportunities.</p><p>Based on the principle of 鈥渓earning by doing,鈥 they designed a <a href="https://skillscenter.colorado.edu/module.html" rel="nofollow">module-based curriculum</a> in which modules are scaled by skill level, with appropriate prerequisites, and students can learn at their own self-directed pace. In fall 2021, the first 10 students enrolled in the for-credit SkillsCenter course, working through skills such as lab safety, pipette operation and calibration, centrifugation, buffers and stocks preparation, autoclave sterilization and more.</p><p>Today, the course offers training in the laboratory basics as well as advanced training techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, protein expression and purification and various forms of microscopy.</p><p>鈥淭he course has been designed very carefully,鈥 Hazlett says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done our best to build a laboratory space that mimics a traditional research space. Students working in the SkillsCenter gain the experience of what it would be like to be a member of a laboratory research group鈥攊n charge of maintaining their space, scheduling equipment, restocking materials, etc. The training modules themselves mimic something a trainee would encounter, with resources to help them and guide them in their conceptual understanding and procedural competence.鈥</p><p>Lab proctors鈥攚ho are the course instructor, graduate students in the department and a number of undergraduate students who previously took the course鈥攑rovide on- and off-site guidance for students and assess their work.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><i class="fa-solid fa-quote-left fa-3x fa-pull-left ucb-icon-color-gold">&nbsp;</i></p><p>What if there was a bridge, something between the classroom and these research spaces that can allow students to gain that necessary experience? That can help equip them to enter those spaces both confidently and competently?"</p><p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote></div></div><p><strong>Learning the scientific process</strong></p><p>Through six semesters, SkillsCenter has grown and evolved from the original 10 students to nearly 100 per semester. The lab space is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday thanks to increased staffing, and students can work on their modules when their schedule allows.</p><p>鈥淚t is very important that we have trained lab proctors, and that we instruct our students very carefully on how to engage in this course,鈥 Hazlett says. 鈥淪tudents are instructed that they are responsible for seeking out the resources and guidance they need, and we make sure they know how to access the supports they need.鈥</p><p>Each module requires a certain number of tasks that students complete and submit to proctors for review. Proctors monitor students鈥 work through each module, give feedback and assess their progress through the scientific process鈥攆rom hypothesis through notes and observations to interpretation of results.</p><p>After completing a module and passing all its required tasks, students receive a certificate for each skill, 鈥渟o they can collect these certificates and put those skills on their resumes,鈥 Hazlett says, adding that he and his colleagues are working with ORCiD and digital badge organizations to create digital credentials that students can display to future employers. 鈥淲e also want to embed students鈥 raw data into those badges, so if an employer wants proof of their skills, they have direct evidence of students鈥 technical proficiencies.鈥</p><p>Hazlett and his colleagues also are building a network of industry and academic research lab partners to 鈥渃reate an ecosystem for training STEM students. Many students often excitedly explain to me how they have convinced faculty researchers to let them join their labs because of the experiences they have gained in the SkillsCenter.鈥</p><p><em>Researchers Beiyi Xu, Jennifer Knight, Michael Klymkowsky and Michael Stowell also contributed to the </em>Cell<em> publication.</em></p><hr><p><em>Did you enjoy this article?&nbsp;</em><a href="https://cu.tfaforms.net/73" rel="nofollow"><em>Subscribe to our newsletter.</em></a><em>&nbsp;Passionate about molecular, cellular and developmental biology?&nbsp;</em><a href="/mcdb/donate" rel="nofollow"><em>Show your support.</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>In new publication, 精品SM在线影片 scientists detail how the SkillsCenter allows students to gain credentials in basic to advanced research skills.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/feature-title-image/laboratory_header_0.jpg?itok=jImdXVf1" width="1500" height="772" alt> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 05 Jun 2024 22:13:25 +0000 Anonymous 5912 at /asmagazine 精品SM在线影片 student took a long, winding road to graduation /asmagazine/2024/05/02/cu-boulder-student-took-long-winding-road-graduation <span>精品SM在线影片 student took a long, winding road to graduation</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-02T12:10:49-06:00" title="Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 12:10">Thu, 05/02/2024 - 12:10</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/marcos_castillo_header.jpg?h=441fc18e&amp;itok=qwPylLGW" width="1200" height="800" alt="Marcos Castillo"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/30"> News </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">College of Arts and Sciences</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1102" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a> <a href="/asmagazine/taxonomy/term/1053" hreflang="en">community</a> </div> <a href="/asmagazine/bradley-worrell">Bradley Worrell</a> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead"><em>Student who was just a few credits shy of graduating in 1997 will walk in May commencement ceremony thanks to Finish What You Started program</em></p><hr><p>Marcos Castillo is a big believer in second chances.</p><p>Part of that comes from his years of experience working for Catholic Charities of Denver, where he has provided assistance to the Mile High City鈥檚 homeless populations and Colorado鈥檚 immigrant communities.</p><p>Perhaps just as importantly, Castillo knows the value of second chances in his own life and career, which has not followed a straight path.</p><p><strong>So close to finishing</strong></p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-large"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><div> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/marcos1.jpg?itok=H_kXPZh8" width="750" height="948" alt="Marcos Castillo"> </div> <p>Marcos Castillo credits a return to his Catholic faith with getting his life back on track, including a renewed focus on completing college. He will walk with other graduating seniors on May 9 during ceremonies at Folsom Field on the 精品SM在线影片 campus.</p></div></div></div><p>In 1997, Castillo was on a trajectory to success. He was a senior at the 精品SM在线影片, finishing his degree in political science and international business. Fate seemed to further smile on him when he was selected for an internship with the Colorado International Trade Office, which was then in the early stages of establishing trade relationships with chambers of commerce in Mexico. That internship led to an offer of full-time employment working as a contract trade consultant in Mexico and the United States.</p><p>鈥淲hen the job opened, I took it, thinking I was almost done with school, and I could use the money. Plus, I just didn鈥檛 want to pass up the opportunity,鈥 he says.</p><p>Castillo worked in that job for about 10 years, and by all accounts he was successful at it, before ultimately deciding to return home to Denver. Finishing college was never far from his mind, he says, so he enrolled again. Unfortunately, at that same time he was struggling with depression and battling alcohol addiction.</p><p>It was a particularly dark period in his life, he admits.</p><p>鈥淚 bounced around from job to job for several years,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a sense of direction, quite honestly.鈥</p><p>Things started to change for Castillo not long after he took a job with Catholic Charities.</p><p>鈥淚t called out to me because, yes, I鈥檓 Catholic, and I wanted to return to my faith. And with these personal struggles, I hadn鈥檛 been able to find a way to overcome them on my own, until I decided to take my faith seriously. Once I committed to that, it allowed me to focus on my work, and, later on, school.鈥</p><p><strong>An opportunity with 鈥楩inish What You Started鈥</strong></p><p>While working to help others in his job with Catholic Charities, Castillo in 2022 received some positive news about his own longstanding goal to finish college. That was the year that the <a href="https://ce.colorado.edu/" rel="nofollow">精品SM在线影片 Division of Continuing Education</a> contacted Castillo to let him know he was eligible for assistance in completing his degree through the <a href="https://ce.colorado.edu/program-landing/finish-what-you-started/" rel="nofollow">Finish What You Started</a> program (see related story below).</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-left ucb-box-alignment-left ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title"><strong>Castillo embraces his calling with Catholic Charities work</strong></div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p>With the passage of time, Marcos Castillo says he has come to look at his work for Catholic Charities as a calling.</p><p>鈥淚鈥檓 committed to working for Catholic Charities and doing whatever I can to help those in need,鈥 he says. 鈥淲hether it was helping the homeless population, like I did in the beginning, or now working with migrants, it鈥檚 something I know how to do and it鈥檚 something I鈥檓 good at.鈥</p><p>In his current role at Catholic Charities, Castillo spearheads the Temporary Protective Status and Employment Authorization workshops for qualified migrants, potentially allowing them to obtain temporary protective status and a work permit.</p><p>Castillo鈥檚 job with Catholic Charities is deeply personal. He was born in Mexico City and emigrated to Denver with his parents when he was just 8 and did not speak English. He says he sees his work as important and meaningful.</p><p>鈥淚 enjoy going to work every day. It鈥檚 hard work. Some days it can be emotionally taxing. There is always a lot going on, but I can鈥檛 see myself doing anything else,鈥 he says. 鈥淭his is where I need to be and this is what I need to be doing. So, that鈥檚 what my calling means for me.鈥</p></div></div></div><p>Castillo says he was excited about the prospect of returning to college, but also a bit nervous after being away for so long.</p><p>In retrospect, he didn鈥檛 need to worry.</p><p>鈥淎nn Herrmann with Finish What You Started was amazing to work with, from the beginning until the end,鈥 Castillo says. 鈥淪he explained what forms I had to fill out, she helped explain the assistance I was eligible for, and she helped me narrow down which classes I needed to finish up my degree. Plus, she would just check in with me during the semester to ask how things were going. So, I felt really supported all the way through.鈥</p><p>That ended up being fortuitous, Castillo says, because he struggled in his first attempt to take an online biology course鈥攁n option that didn鈥檛 even exist during his first time in college. After he expressed his misgivings to Herrmann, she suggested he take the course as an evening class on the 精品SM在线影片 campus鈥攁nd everything clicked.</p><p>鈥淪he gave me the encouragement to try again and get it done,鈥 Castillo says. 鈥淗ad it not been for that, I don鈥檛 know that I would have tried again, because I was really frustrated with myself at the time.鈥</p><p>With that first college class under his belt, Castillo then took an anthropology class called The Human Animal and an Introduction to Western Philosophy class, both of which he says he enjoyed and successfully passed. He was the oldest student in those classes, but both the instructors and the students made him feel welcome, he says.</p><p>Officially, Castillo finished his classes in December, but he鈥檒l walk with other seniors during the May 9 commencement at Folsom Field on the 精品SM在线影片 campus. One regret is that the timing of the event will prevent his mom and younger brother, Tony, from attending, because they already had plans to be in Mexico at the time.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of sad. My mom, more than anyone, really pushed me to finish college,鈥 he says. Still, Castillo says he has already promised to take selfies and livestream part of the event for absent family members.</p><p><strong>The long road to finishing college</strong></p><p>Even before re-enrolling at 精品SM在线影片, one of the biggest turning points in his life, Castillo鈥檚 quest to earn a college degree took a number of twists and turns over the years.</p><p>A graduate of Denver East High School, he first enrolled at the University of the Americas Puebla, near Puebla, Mexico, where he studied psychology. All of the coursework was in Spanish, which Castillo says was actually a bit of a challenge because he didn鈥檛 learn formal Spanish growing up, so there was a learning curve.</p><p>After spending about a year and a half at the university in Puebla, where Castillo admits he struggled academically, he decided to return home to Denver. He enrolled at Community College of Denver, then transferred to University of Colorado Denver, where several of his high school friends were studying.</p><div class="feature-layout-callout feature-layout-callout-xlarge"><div class="ucb-callout-content"><div> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/marcos_w_family.jpg?itok=4fJdMKmE" width="750" height="611" alt="Marcos Castillo and family"> </div> <p>Marcos Castillo (left) with&nbsp;his dad, Juan, his mom, Victoria, and his younger brother, Tony. Castillo says his parents strongly supported his efforts to finish college.</p></div></div></div><p>鈥淎nd then some of us just decided, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go to 精品SM在线影片.鈥 We transferred over and moved up to Boulder. It was as simple as that,鈥 he says. 鈥淢y friends finished college, and I got through my senior year. I was so fortunate to have a good group of friends who helped me by serving as an example of how to do this. Had I not had those examples, I don鈥檛 know what I would have done.鈥</p><p>Reflecting on his quest to complete his degree, Castillo says, 鈥淚鈥檝e done everything in a zig zag; I鈥檝e never done it straight. I鈥檝e taken the most random routes to attend and finish college.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 funny, when I talk with my brother, he鈥檚 like, 鈥榊ou鈥檝e been doing this for 25 years. You start, then stop, then start again.鈥 It鈥檚 true. When I stop and think about it, school has been a part of my entire adult life.鈥</p><p><strong>Looking to the future</strong></p><p>As for what his own future holds, Castillo, who recently turned 50, isn鈥檛 sure what comes next. However, after successfully earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree, he says he would love to pursue an advanced degree.</p><p>鈥淭here鈥檚 so many things that interest me. I鈥檝e just started to consider what鈥檚 possible,鈥 he says. 鈥淩eligious studies is something I would be interested in. Obviously, something in the liberal arts鈥攕omething where I could still be helping people. There鈥檚 just so much out there you can study.鈥</p><p>For this moment, though, as he prepares for commencement ceremonies next week, Castillo is happy to reflect on the hard work it took to finish his degree and to celebrate his success.</p><p>鈥淚鈥檓 proud of being a senior graduate,鈥 he says. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 proud of being a part of the community here. I came to Denver when I was really young. I鈥檝e lived here and in Mexico, but I consider Denver my home. And Boulder鈥檚 a big part of me, too. And so, I鈥檓 proud of staying in Colorado and being a part of the community here. I definitely couldn鈥檛 see myself doing this anywhere else.鈥</p><p>As for advice he would have for others contemplating finishing their degree, Castillo says, 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of ups and downs, but it鈥檚 not impossible. And once you get it done, that feeling of accomplishment is unbelievable; it鈥檚 something that can鈥檛 be taken away.</p><p>鈥淎nd this is from a normal guy who took a long time and finally found his place. I think that if I can do it, a lot of other people can do it, too. So, I think it would be cool if my story could help someone else.鈥</p><hr><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-left ucb-box-alignment-none ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">鈥<strong>Finish What You Started鈥 helps former CU students complete their degrees</strong></div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p>Since its inception in spring 2022, the 精品SM在线影片 <a href="https://ce.colorado.edu/program-landing/finish-what-you-started/" rel="nofollow">Finish What You Started</a> program has helped 52 students who were a few credits, or even semesters, shy of finishing their undergraduate degree to graduate鈥攚ith still more students graduating this May.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding and fulfilling work, for sure,鈥 says Ann Herrmann, program manager and advisor for the grant-funded Finish What You Started (FWYS), which is administered by the <a href="https://ce.colorado.edu/" rel="nofollow">Division of Continuing Education</a>.</p><p>To be eligible for FWYS, an applicant must be a Colorado resident, must have missed at least two semesters and must be working on their first degree. Applicants also must answer questions about income, must attest that they were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and they must be able to complete their degree by spring 2025, when the grant period ends.</p><p>The $3.1 million grant funding was part of a larger pool of money provided to all state colleges by the&nbsp;<a href="https://cdhe.colorado.gov/programs-and-services/cosi-colorado-opportunity-scholarship-initiative" rel="nofollow">Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative</a>, which is supported by the American Rescue Plan, a $30 billion federal aid package intended to address the devastation of COVID-19.</p><p>FWYS offers students mix of advising and financial assistance. Eligible students have access to semester-over-semester scholarships starting at $1,500, as well as other sources of financial support, depending on individual student need.</p><p>鈥淥ur goal is to limit out-of-pocket expenses and college loans, if at all possible,鈥 Herrmann says. 鈥淥ur goal is to maximize the use of this grant money to help them finish their degrees without any additional financial burdens.鈥</p><p>Student support services include one-on-one academic advising and coaching, enrollment support and career advising to help students transition to the workforce after graduation, according to Michelle Pagnani, senior academic coach and lead program specialist for the FWYS program.</p><p>鈥淪ervice offered include a combination of academic skill building and life coaching. Really, life coaching is sort of pulling from a model of positive psychology and motivational interviewing, as well as asking open-ended questions, so students can process their academic experience in light of other things going on in their lives and careers,鈥 Pagnani says. 鈥淟ots of conversations are focused on time management and stress management.鈥</p><p>Students enrolled in FWYS program run the gamut in ages, from 20-somethings to those in their 40s, 50s and older. One student who graduated last year was <a href="/asmagazine/2023/04/13/five-decades-after-starting-college-tenacious-student-graduate" rel="nofollow">76 years old</a>.</p><p>The Division of Continuing Education hosts a graduation celebration for Finish What You Started graduates on commencement day, and Pagnani and Herrmann say that event highlights how meaningful the program is.</p><p>鈥淚t鈥檚 the most emotionally impactful event I鈥檝e probably ever attended in my career,鈥 Pagnani says.</p><p>鈥淔or some of these students, we鈥檙e their main source of support, so it鈥檚 super gratifying to celebrate with them,鈥 Herrmann says. 鈥淢any students have said they don鈥檛 think they would have finished if not for Michelle鈥檚 help.鈥</p><p><em>Individuals interested in learning more about Finish What You Started can visit the&nbsp;</em><a href="https://ce.colorado.edu/program-landing/finish-what-you-started/" rel="nofollow"><em>program page</em></a>&nbsp;<em>or contact a program advisor at&nbsp;</em><a href="mailto:fwys@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">fwys@colorado.edu</a>&nbsp;<em>or 303-492-9671.</em></p></div></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Student who was just a few credits shy of graduating in 1997 will walk in May commencement ceremony thanks to Finish What You Started program.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Related Articles</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/asmagazine/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/feature-title-image/marcos_castillo_header.jpg?itok=ZV9sy4vX" width="1500" height="850" alt> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 02 May 2024 18:10:49 +0000 Anonymous 5884 at /asmagazine