Colorado State University

Campus Connections Learning Community

 (Formerly Campus Corps)

THERE IS MORE TO CAMPUS CONNECTIONS THAN SERVING AS A MENTOR…

     
JOIN THE CAMPUS CONNECTIONS LEARNING COMMUNITY!

Campus Connections: Therapeutic Mentoring for At Risk Youth engages CSU students with at-risk youth through a 3 credit service-learning course. The Campus Connections Learning Community (CCLC) provides ongoing opportunities for CSU students to stay involved with Campus Connections throughout their CSU career.

To join the CCLC, students first enroll in a 3 credit course called Campus Connections (HDFS 470). Go to the “How to Become a Mentor” page to find out how to apply to serve as a mentor and register for the 3 credit HDFS470 course. This course is open to all majors (over 95 different majors are represented in this course to date). In this unique service learning course, students mentor at-risk youth in a weekly structured group mentoring program on campus.

OR

Students sign up for 1-8 credits in other areas related to Campus Connections (contact Jen Krafchick for more info). Participation in the CCLC allows students to gain experience working with at-risk youth, develop relationships with other CCLC students and faculty, develop leadership skills, build their resume and professionalism, and help to improve the lives of local youth. Additionally, our research shows that students who participate in Campus Connections are more likely to stay at CSU and complete graduate from college than similar students who don’t get involved in Campus Connections.

Here is what CSU students say about CCLC.

• “I gained a whole family and a place to belong at Colorado State.”
• “I was ready to drop out of college, and now, because of Campus Connections, I am excited about pursuing an education degree.”
• “Campus Connections influenced me with respect to volunteering and service work. This kind of thing can change a person’s life.”
  “I love working as a Mentor Coach and how fantastic of a program that Campus Connections is! Honestly, it’s something I wish I had when I was younger, and it is so great to be a part of something life-changing. [It is great] being a part of creating such a great program!”

In order to be in the CCLC each semester you must sign up for at least one Campus Connections related credit. See details below about the different roles members of the CCLC play in Campus Connections.

• Mentor- HDFS470 for 3 credits (entire course with all course requirements, can repeat course)
• Mentor Coach (advising a small group of CC mentors & mentees) – HDFS470 for 3 credits
• Lead Mentor Coach (assistant to CC instructor, supervisory role)- HDFS470 for 3 credits
• Research Assistant for the Campus Connections Program – HDFS498 for 1-6 credits
• HDFS Intern – HDFS 477/HDFS 488 for 6-8 credits (must go through HDFS Internship placement process)
• Independent Study (Campus Connections Special Project) 1 credit – HDFS497

In addition to the curricular part of Campus Connections (academic credits), we also get together for co-curriculum activities such as volunteering in the community or on campus together, attending a campus event together, social events such as dinners, etc.

Who Can Apply?

Campus Connections is open to all CSU students including first year students, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and transfer students in Fall, Spring, and/or Summer semesters. It is open to all majors and to students who are undeclared. Students must be attending Colorado State University to take part in Campus Connections.

How to Apply:

If you are involved in any Campus Connections opportunity for 1-8 credits, you will be invited to join the CCLC and stay involved in Campus Cpnnections as little or as much as you like. You will fill out a short application that we will provide to you.

Contact Information

Jen Krafchick
jen.krafchick@colostate.edu
970-491-2171

Involvement Descriptions

• Mentor- HDFS470 for 3 credits
  You will be given preference over new students coming into the course if the course is full. Many students take this course more than one time in order to have the full CC course experience and to earn the full 3 credits for doing it. Mentors must complete all assignments associated with the course.
• Mentor Coach (MC)- HDFS470 for 1-3 credits
  Mentor Coaches provide leadership for the Campus Connections lab. They are required to attend scheduled weekly lab session and may be assigned a mentee if additional youth need a mentor. MCs assist with training, are responsible for completing all assigned readings for the course, and facilitating small group discussions about the readings. MCs provide mentoring supervision to one or two mentor families, review student mentors’ weekly journal entries, and may facilitate pro-social activities during weeks 4 & 5. MCs also advise mentors on planning and implementing their required three week activity with youth.
• Lead Mentor Coach (LMC)- HDFS470 for 1-3 credits
  Lead Mentor Coaches attend the weekly CC Instruction team meeting, all weekly lab sessions, all training sessions, and serve as the logistics coordinator during lab each week. LMCs ensure set up and evening transitions. They also help to manage which youth need to meet with family therapist/instructor. LMCs play a critical role in training, supervising mentors and MCs, preparing for weekly labs, and ensuring that all aspects of the weekly lab run smoothly. This is a selective leadership position and only 4 are available each semester.
• Special Projects Assistants– HDFS 497(1-8 credits)
  Special projects vary depending on the interests of the student and needs of the program.  Projects may be in CC lab sessions or assisting faculty with program development or research projects.
• Research Assistant (RA) – HDFS498 (1-6 credits)
  Assist faculty and graduate assistants with all facets of Campus Connections research efforts. RAs may assist mentor and mentee survey administration, interview transcription, data entry and management, publications, and general program support including administrative tasks. Research experience is essential for admission to many graduate programs.
• HDFS Internship – HDFS 477/488 (6-8 credits)*
  HDFS students who are CC Interns serve as a mentor coach two evenings per week during a CC lab and provide additional program support in the office. Interns coordinate the Foodbank program, recruitment efforts, assist the case manager, coordinate learning community, and a multitude of other responsibilities.

*Please note: All students interested in serving as an HDFS Intern must (1) be an HDFS major; and (2) must successfully complete the HDFS internship placement process and be offered an internship with Campus Connections. For more information about the local internship placement process and options at Campus Connections, please visit: http://hdfs.chhs.colostate.edu/students/undergraduate/practicum.aspx

For more information about the Campus Connections Learning Community, please contact:

• Jen Krafchick, PhD, CFLE
• jen.krafchick@colostate.edu
• (970) 491-2171