Student Experience

What to Expect

Life in the English Department

Feel at Home

The rumors really are true: English majors have more fun. Our undergraduates can be found at a coffee house in Old Town Fort Collins discussing their writing; at the Globe Theater in London; and on the plains of Zambia, where we collaborate with local schools and community health centers.

Students majoring in English might form lasting friendships in the classroom or connect at a reading by nationally acclaimed writers such as Lauren Groff, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Ada Limón.

Through your involvement in social activities, writing competitions, and social justice initiatives, you will find that CSU’s English department is the perfect place to build a resume—and a life.

Hear from Current Students

Catrina Vininski

Majors: English & Communications

Minor: Film Studies

Year: Senior

Why CSU?

Path to your major?

Growing up I knew I always wanted to be a writer, so naturally I followed the English major path. However, during my freshman year, I realized that there are so many different opportunities beyond what I imagined, leading me to expand my career goals, and become a double major in communication. Surprisingly, a required freshman symposium English course led me to add the communication major, as I learned how intertwined the two majors were.

Why do you study English and Communications?

I have learned public speaking, research skills, tactful communication, and how to improve my writing. These two majors have helped me gain a lot of professional and common knowledge skills, that have not only allowed me to complete my coursework like essays and portfolios but also with cover letters, resumes, and other job-seeking skills. In the future, I hope to eventually become an author but currently, I’m still deciding between the countless paths that this type of degree could take me in. I know crucial communication and writing skills that I have obtained from my degree will put me on the right track and help me achieve my career goals.

What's your favorite class and why?

What clubs/organizations are you involved in?

Erin Fuller

Major: English - Creative Writing

Minor: Music, Stage, & Sports Production

Year: Sophomore

Why CSU?

Why do you study English?

I’ve explored the different aspects of creative writing and the sense of infinity within it, and learned how to argue better using rhetoric, as well as learned the elements of linguistics, literature, and education.

In my English classes today, I practice rhetoric and elements of poetry. As for my other classes, I write lots of essays where I write with flow and my own voice. I also journal/write poetry in my own time.

Since high school, I’ve wanted to be a professional playwright. I chose English/Creative Writing with this in mind because playwrighting is a very creative career, and if even if I don’t end up going down that path, I’ll still have a way to work my passion.

Favorite class and why?

What clubs/organizations are you involved in and why?

Favorite CSU memory?

Hannah Prinzi

Majors: English & Political Science

Minor: International Development

Year: Junior

Why CSU?

I became interested in Colorado State University during a high school percussion ensemble performance here on campus. I was also drawn to the honors and liberal arts programs. Later, I fell in love with the campus when I toured the university, and the people I met were so kind and fun. When I was offered financial aid from the liberal arts program, my fate was sealed; I found my home. I continue to fall in love with CSU as I discover new friends, coffee shops, and opportunities to grow.

Path to your major?

I spent my childhood with my nose in a book, so I always had a dream of becoming a writer when I finally grew up. Once I was “grown up,” I found that I still wanted more from my education. I also wanted to work towards a career that could help people -- that could make a difference. My advisors and professors were nothing but supportive throughout my search for a second major, and I’m so glad to now be studying Political Science alongside English. I didn’t have to take many AUCC courses since I started college with a lot of AP credits.

Favorite class and why?

My favorite classes this semester are British Literature and International Relations. My British Literature course is a set up like a small seminar, so we always have interesting discussions. We’ve read so many different works, some that have become my favorite poetry. My professor is also so engaging. I love my International Relations course because I am learning such interesting topics that are relevant to this day and age. Furthermore, my professor is so passionate and informed about each topic.

Why do you study English and Political Science?

Favorite CSU memory?

Since my time at CSU has occurred during the pandemic, my favorite memory might seem minor, but I still cherish it nonetheless. A huge snowstorm hit over the weekend and cancelled all activities for Monday, so my friends and I suited up and ran to the intramural fields for a midnight snowball fight. The snow had slowed to a gentle fall, and the air was crisp. We ran in the knee-high snow, tripping and laughing all the way. After a while, we returned to the dorms for hot chocolate and popcorn. We watched “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and finally retired early that morning.

Pete Wilson

Majors: English & Philosophy

Concentration: Literature

Year: Senior

Why CSU?

Path to your major?

Why do you study English and Philosophy?

I study Philosophy and English because they are thought-provoking. Philosophy asks questions about being a good person, and what it means to live a good life. English captures the human experience and makes me think about my own life. I have loved literature since I was a boy and get a lot of enjoyment out of reading so much. I have learned how to communicate well. Philosophy teaches logic and how to properly write arguments, clarifying my thinking. English gives me a window into other cultures and experiences, allowing me to relate to those around me. My writing for classes is much better than it used to be. When trying to prove a point, I use logic to persuade others. When interacting with people of different socio/ethnic backgrounds, I now understand and converse with them about their beliefs and values. I don’t know what I want to do post-college. Good communication and writing skills are needed in most jobs, so my degrees will be useful regardless of my career path.

Favorite class and why?

Why do you love your major?

Advice from Recent Grads

Reaching out

Grace Detwiler used her keen sense of initiative to open the ominously creaking door to writing opportunities in the realm of the macabre.

The Student Experience

CSU English senior Natalia Sperry recounts studying abroad, collaborations with professional writers, department community.

“I think it’s important for English students to know about the Honors Program, which can sometimes seem like a STEM or research-oriented program...It can allow for meaningful creative opportunities to work with professors one-on-one."
— Natalia Sperry, BA in Creative Writing ’20

Education Abroad

There are many opportunities to study abroad while earning your English degree, including three summer programs led by department faculty

Community Education and Health in Zambia Summer in Oxford, England (Honors) Sustainable Energy Futures in Denmark

Community Education and Health in Zambia

WHAT: This summer CSU faculty-led program takes students to Livingstone, Zambia to assist Zambians in educational settings (schools, after school programs, adult literacy programs, physical education programs), community health areas (clinics, home-based care, health education programs), gender equality programs, and sustainable building. Coursework focuses on ethics, motivations, and sustainability of development work.

WHEN: May 15 - June 3, 2023 (Program participants will depart Denver on a group flight on May 13 or 14.)

NOTE: Pre-Course prepatory meetings will take place during the spring term on the CSU Campus and/or online.

WHERE: Described by many as "the Real Africa", Zambia is a country of wide open spaces rich in wildlife, with magnificent forests, wild rivers and wetlands - studded with lakes and impressive waterfalls. Livingstone is historically an English speaking community. Livingstone is also the gateway to Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe to the South. Zambia's National Parks, such as the Kafue, have a staggering amount of wildlife and unparalleled game viewing opportunities. Students will have the opportunity to work on community driven projects and enjoy the natural beauty of all that Zambia has to offer.

PROGRAM LEADER: Ashley Davies, Senior Instructor, Department of English, and Jennifer Reinke, Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University.

LEARN MORE / APPLY

Summer in Oxford, England (Honors)

WHAT: This summer faculty-led program allows University Honors Program students and high achieving English majors/minors to take an individualized course with Oxford affiliated faculty for one-on-one tutorials in their field of interest. Additionally, students will experience Shakespeare off of the written page. Watch an informational video about this program here! See student blogs from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021. Visit the 2022 cohort's Instagram account, Rams in Oxford.

WHEN: Summer 2023

WHERE: This program will take place in Oxford, England, about an hour and a half outside of London. Possible field trips during this summer session include Windsor Castle, the reconstructed Globe Theater, Bath, and various sites around Oxford. Students will also have the chance to see Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s birth and burial place.

PROGRAM LEADER: Dr. Aparna Gollapudi, Professor of English at Colorado State University and affiliate of the University Honors Program.

LEARN MORE / APPLY

Sustainable Energy Futures in Denmark

WHAT: CSU’s “Sustainable Energy Futures: Denmark” takes students to the historic city of Copenhagen, to experience what is arguably the most sustainable capital city on the planet. Copenhagen is on track to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital by 2025. Sustainable energy initiatives have been carefully woven into the city’s infrastructures, education programs, transportation systems, leisure activities, food culture, and daily life. This program allows students to experience first-hand how technology and cultural initiatives work symbiotically to make this city a model of sustainability practices.

Experience Copenhagen’s vibrant culture while learning about the future of sustainable energy. In this program, students will:

tour an offshore wind farm and learn about cooperative energy initiatives
sample local and sustainable Nordic cuisine
visit Copenhagen’s new carbon-neutral neighborhood
tour/ski Copenhagen’s new state-of-the-art, waste-to-energy plant and ski park
learn from experts in government and industry about sustainable energy initiatives
learn from local professors about the history of sustainability and culture in Denmark
take day trips outside of Copenhagen to field sites of interest

You can find more information, photos, and student testimonials at the CSU Energy Institute and the CSU Source.

WHEN: Summer 2023
WHERE: Colorado and Copenhagen, Denmark.

This program will begin with our home context, investigating sustainable energy in relation to Colorado history and culture. For instance, we will tour the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, visit local energy landscapes, and understand the relationship of Indigenous nations and territories to resource extraction in the state. We will then spend two weeks in Copenhagen, as a cross-cultural context of comparison. Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, is known for both its historical significance (the University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479) and for its forward-looking vision for sustainable urban life. A vibrant, cosmopolitan city well-known for its biking culture, Copenhagen is a world leader in sustainable urban design, sustainable cuisine, sustainability education, and renewable energy technology development.

PROGRAM LEADER: Dr. Lynn Badia, Assistant Professor, English, Colorado State University. Dr. Badia’s research and teaching are focused on questions about science and culture, and she frequently teaches in the field of Environmental and Energy Humanities.

LEARN MORE / APPLY

Semester-Long Options & Funding

Semester in Todos Santos, Mexico

This 10-week semester program in residence at CSU’s Todos Santos Center in Mexico features coursework from a variety of disciplines with a different academic focus, or theme, every semester.

In partnership with CSU's School for Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES), the Spring 2023 semester academic focus is Sustainability. The spring semester features courses on environmental justice, intercultural competency, online storytelling, and sustainability.

Learn more & apply

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea is a multiple country study abroad program open to students of all majors emphasizing comparative academic examination, hands-on field experiences, and meaningful engagement in the global community.

Students live, take coursework, and travel aboard the MV World Odyssey ship as a part of a unique shipboard community comprised of students, faculty, staff, lifelong learners, and ship crew for 100+ days, exploring at least 10 countries and 4 continents.

Learn more & apply

Education Abroad Scholarships

Office of International Programs Scholarships

The Office of International Programs (OIP) offers several additional need-based and merit-based scholarship opportunities. Awards range from $250 to $2,500.

Learn more & apply

Organizations and Opportunities

Inklings: The English Social Club

Meet and hang out with your English Department peers and get to know others across the Fort Collins English community. Our rotating schedule of activities will give you a chance to share your ideas and your work with a group that can relate.

When: Thursdays @ 7pm in Eddy 100

Learn more

Community Literacy Center

The Community Literacy Center strives to create a range of sustainable community-based literacy programs to promote community action and social change with multiple populations. Our goals are to contribute directly to the literacy needs of Larimer County by offering programming that complements existing literacy education opportunities and to advocate for increased public awareness about the needs and contributions of our diverse community.

Meet the CLC Team

Dead Poets Society

Calling all poets! Join your classmates and share your love for all things poetry at a meeting with the Dead Poets Society. This student-run club hosts weekly discussions centered on a particular poetic theme. In addition, two workshops are offered per semester for students to comment and discuss their own writing with their peers.

When: Tuesdays @ 7pm in Eddy 200

Spring 2023 Schedule

Group photo of members of Dead Poets Society

NCTE@CSU

NCTE@CSU is a professional student organization that welcomes students from all majors, undergraduate and graduate. Meetings provide a forum for discussion and learning, and a place where students can be involved in the changing face of education. Meetings include social gatherings, timely speakers, and professional development seminars.

Learn more

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta is the National Honors Society for English. Students who have achieved excellence in their course work are invited to join in the fall semester. Honor Society members decide what activities feel most intriguing to them, from celebrating World Book Day, to literacy efforts in elementary schools, from setting up poetry readings, to Scrabble tournaments.

Rekindle the Classics

Rekindle your love of classic literature with the CSU Department of English and Poudre Libraries Rekindle the Classics. Join graduate students and faculty in lively and informative discussions of literature favorites.

Spring 2023 Schedule

Greyrock Review

For the People

The Greyrock Review is an undergraduate literary journal created and published by a group of undergraduate students during a year-long internship. The content of The Greyrock Review comes from submissions from students of all majors who seek to show off their talents and become published writers and artists. The goal is to support and promote the literary arts, while learning the intricacies of printing, promoting and publishing a high-quality literary journal.

Greyrock Review

English Department Awards 2023

Visit Awards Page

Creative & Performing Arts Scholarship Competition

2022 Guidelines