After ten years at CSU—and a professional life spanning publishing, tourism, nonprofit work, and literacy administration—Mary Ellen Sanger is retiring, leaving behind a body of work defined by collaboration, care, and community connection.
Tara Opsal, a professor and current chair of the Department of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts, has been named the William E. Morgan Endowed Chair in the College. A nationally respected public sociologist, Opsal advances community-engaged reform in the criminal legal system, examining how it produces harm and inequality and developing pathways for change. She is also the director of the Criminal Justice and Victimization Institute at Colorado State University. As Morgan Chair, Opsal will use dedicated time and resources to expand CJVI as a hub for community-engaged, interdisciplinary justice research across Colorado.
The Department of English is proud to name Doug Cloud, Joanna Doxey, Ashley Davies, and Cindy O’Donnell-Allen as the 2026–2027 “Words for the Earth” award recipients, honoring projects that span research, creative practice, and community collaboration.
Thank you to the students, faculty, staff, donors, families, and friends who made the 35th Annual English Department Awards Reception a memorable celebration, and congrats to the honorees!
An English major concentrating in literature with a minor in design thinking, Zach Luiz is set to graduate in May and eager to take his writing and critical thinking skills into the next chapter. In this spotlight, he shares more about his student experience at CSU.
An English major concentrating in creative writing with minors in anthropology and conservation biology, Sean O’Brien is in his final year at CSU and excited to pursue graduate school next fall. In this spotlight, he shares more about his student experience and why he chose to study English at CSU.
The 2026 College of Liberal Arts awards are announced.
An English major concentrating in creative writing, Lindsey Zamboni-Cutter is in her second year at CSU and is an active member of the English community. In this spotlight, she shares more about her experience as a transfer student and why she chose to study English at CSU.
More than 1,600 College of Liberal Arts alumni responded to our career survey last year. The results were clear: A liberal arts degree from CSU leads to meaningful work, adaptable careers, and lasting confidence.
From the classroom to theatrical stages past and present, English faculty explore how perspective in art shapes meaning in our world right now.
