3 minute read
CSU STORIES
At Colorado State, we believe a university should expand your horizons, inspire your interests in and outside the classroom, and open doors to opportunities that help you chart your one-of-a-kind journey. We offer nationally ranked programs, world-class faculty invested in your success, and a campus community that values every student’s unique experience. Deciding on a college is about more than a major, it’s also your chance to choose a university experience that empowers you to learn more about yourself. Explore CSU and you’ll find the everythingis-possible energy that only happens here—and that discovery can take you anywhere.
JAKYE NUNLEY College of Business
Student Government Leader
Engaging inside and outside the classroom is something Jakye Nunley believes is essential. “College is about making sure you leave with a holistic experience, that you get the professional development, that you get the personal development, and that you get the degree.”
He credits his parents for motivating him to attend college and shaping his mission to prove himself and give back to the family who’s given so much to him. A business degree was the plan, but where that would unfold was undecided.
During a summer visit to Colorado State, a program facilitator with the Black Issues Forum encouraged Jakye to consider CSU. That advice was transformative, motivating Jakye to apply. He made another visit after being accepted and knew then that CSU was home. At CSU, Jakye has found purpose and a path forward balancing academic aspirations with his role as the President of the Associated Students of Colorado State University.
He finds inspiration in blending these worlds and building his skill set to speak to anyone and everyone, forging new connections with fellow Rams based on shared experiences and their common destination at CSU.
For Jakye, CSU is all about tapping into the energy sparked by the fusion of classes, activities, friendships, and the potential for life-altering moments to occur when students least expect them. “I’m excited about what’s going to happen. No matter what day it is. That’s the beauty of this campus.”
KEKUA RICHARDS
Animal Sciences
Student Athlete
Living on Maui, Kekua Richards saw the struggles people had with veterinary care. “It’s really expensive there to even get any type of vet care, so I wanted to have my own clinic back at home.” Asking how she can help her community is rooted in a passion for animal care that goes back to childhood. As a kid, she felt closer to animals than humans. When she was considering what college to attend, she realized she could transform that love of helping animals into her life’s work. And at Colorado State, she could combine it with volleyball.
Her fierce commitment on the court carries over to her desire to be a veterinarian and her dedication to her family, most of whom haven’t had the opportunity to attend college. For Kekua, being a Ram is not only about representing CSU, but also representing her family and the sacrifices they’ve made for her to be here.
Whether she’s in class or in Moby Arena, Kekua finds an endless flow of energy that pushes her to pursue her path as a student and an athlete. Her dream of making an impact and inspiring the next generation of veterinarians on Maui became real with her first steps on the CSU campus. “Everything really just fell perfectly into place, and I love it so much!”
ELLIOT FERRELL-CARRETEY
Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
M.S. Chemical Engineering
“One thing I like about CSU is that I have had so many opportunities to just do what I want to do.” For Elliot Ferrell-Carretey, reaching for new experiences not only brought him to Colorado State, it’s also taken him to another continent.
Elliot transferred to Colorado State for a chemical and biological engineering program that better connected with his research interests. “When I first transferred to CSU, it was a challenging transition, coming to a new place, not really knowing anybody. It was just getting involved in all these different activities…that kept me motivated to keep going.”
Those activities included Rams Without Borders and fencing – something Elliot took up in high school that has helped him juggle a host of responsibilities yet never feel overwhelmed. “[Fencing] is a great outlet, and it just helps me get in that flow state, and forget about everything else, and be present in the moment.”
It was his involvement with Rams Without Borders that took him to El Salvador to work on a water access project in El Pital and Las Tablas. The project would be life-changing for the people living in these rural communities, and it was impactful for Elliot as well. “You go to these communities and you’re living and eating with them. These projects aren’t helping strangers. It’s helping people close to you.”
