CSU-Pueblo Cultures and Ethnicities

A Glimpse

A special publication prepared by students in the reporting public affairs class at CSU-Pueblo Photo by Daniel Potter 2 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 Index of stories

CSU-Pueblo demographics show increased diversity ...... 2

Overcoming language barriers and adjusting to the United States ...... 6

Student campus involvement reflects Hispanic roots ...... 9

Small town students meet big time college experiences ...... 12

International program educates campus by bringing diversity ...... 14

Athletics is a culture ...... 18

Some student profiles ...... 20 The staff The students in the 2015 spring reporting public affairs class examined some of the cultures and ethnicieties at CSU-Pueblo and this publication is the re- sult. While it wasn’t possible to Kierren Duncan, Co-Editor compile a comprehensive report, Gianna Lisac, Co-Editor the editors hope this glimpse will illistrate the rich and diverse population on campus.

Michelle Pham, Co-Editor Kiersten Senff, Co-Editor

Richard A Joyce, Adviser Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 3

Colorado State University-Pueblo cheerleaders drive gameday bass drum around downtown Pueblo during the “Celebration of Champions” back in February 2015. Photo by Jessica Warren. 4 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 CSU-Pueblo demographics show increased diversity

By Kiersten Senff .6 percent of the population and identify as white, African American Co-Editor Islanders with .1 percent of the and Hispanic you will be counted population on campus. as Hispanic. And it is all self-report- The Colorado State Universi- These numbers have not changed ing,” said Kreminski. ty-Pueblo campus community has much in the last few years. In fall of This change happened some- a more diverse range than might 2009, according to the CSU-Pueb- time in 2008 or 2009, which be expected, considering the census lo Fact Sheet, the total population would explain the rise in numbers statistics of the state of Colora- on campus was 4,728 with the of Hispanic students coming to do, which show that of the over 5 majority demographic still being CSU-Pueblo. million people estimated to be in white, at 55 percent. Another change on the Colorado in 2014, 88 percent of Hispanic demographics were the CSU-Pueblo campus is a rise from them identified as being white. second largest group in 2009, just 2.2 percent of the foreign exchange In comparison, the 2014 Fall as now, but constituted 25 percent and international demographics to Census on the CSU-Pueblo cam- of the population. Since that time its current 3 percent. pus showed a population of 4,528 students, and of those, 49.9 percent “Our percent that is Hispanic of them were white. This means CSU-Pueblo has a more diverse went up because the federal guide- population than does the state of Colorado. lines were expanded. If you identify Almost half of the student population in fall 2014 was white. with multiple ethnicities you will be The other large population here was Hispanic, at 31 percent of the counted as Hispanic.” student body. Even with recruiting from the for- —Rick Kreminski eign exchange program, only about 3 percent of the student body is made up of exchange and interna- the Hispanic population has been Unfortunately, CSU-Pueblo also tional students. gradually rising while the white experienced a loss in some of the That’s about 135 students rang- population has been decreasing. other demographic areas. This may ing from countries as diverse as “Some of that is there was a be attributed to the 200-person loss France, Germany, Korea, Italy point where how people report in enrolment from 2009 to 2014. and many more. Every semester being Hispanic changed. It’s more In 2009, there was a 9 percent somewhere around a dozen of our general now,” said Rick Kreminski, population of African-Americans students exchange with students provost and executive VP for Aca- and 2 percent for Native Ameri- from other countries. demic Affairs. cans. Some of the other smaller de- “Our percent that is Hispanic When the total population went mographic groups include Afri- went up because the federal guide- up in the fall of 2011 to 4,960 stu- can-Americans, with currently lines were expanded. If you identify dents the campus saw a small influx about 7.4 percent of the campus with multiple ethnicities you will of people in the Hispanic demo- population, Native Americans with be counted as Hispanic. So if you graphic reaching 28 percent and a Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 5 small reduction in the white demo- The African-American popula- NSE Coordinator Heidi Laino said graphic dropping to 53 percent. tion dropped another percentage to the center sends professional staff to Along with gaining those stu- 8 percent, and Native Americans other countries to recruit students dents, more may have self-reported dropped to 1 percent. The foreign for CSU-Pueblo. That may account to identifying as being multiple eth- exchange and international popula- for the slight rise in foreign ex- nicities, including Hispanic, which tion rose slightly to 2.4 percent. change and international students would count them as Hispanic on Assistant Director at the Center over the years. identifying documents. for International Programs and Colorado State University-Pueblo ethnicities 6 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 Overcoming language barriers and adjusting to the United States

By Kiersten Senff does not have any history in speak- open to them and they feel secure Co-Editor ing English, he or she is put in the in their little groups of people from ELI or English Language Institute. their own country. Language barriers can be diffi- In the span of a year students are Hee Choi, sophomore geophysics cult to overcome when speaking taught or given a refresher on how major, came to CSU-Pueblo from with someone you may not fully to speak English so they can start South Korea. When asked what the understand and who may not fully working toward a degree. biggest adjustment for her was, she understand you. At Colorado State Laino’s job is to help new stu- said, “Carpets in our rooms.” With University-Pueblo there is an ex- dents coming to this country feel a laugh she explained that in South change and international program comfortable and get them accli- Korea people take their shoes off that gives students a place to go so mated. “We register them and help before entering a house so there is they can be understood and given a them to get situated with a cell no carpet, and all of the floors are chance to acclimate to our country. phone and shampoo. So we take heated. When new students come here them shopping in the first two or The second hardest thing to from other countries, to learn, they three weeks. We are always happy adjust to was our food. “Everything must first show they can speak En- to have volunteers to help us get in America is always fried,” said glish well enough to take university them settled in,” Laino said. Choi. Choi will only be joining classes. The test that measures this Having someone who speaks your CSU-Pueblo for this spring semes- ability is called TOEFL. It stands native language is very comforting ter, but she was given this oppor- tunity by her professor in Korea, who offered to sponsor her to study The hardest part, a lot of inter- abroad. Another job Laino is tasked with national students say, is that in this is getting applications and calcu- lating the grade point average of country, if people know students are incoming students because other countries have a different grad- foreign or from another country but ing system that may go either by percentage or numbers, so she must don’t know if they speak English, look it up in her database and see where they are from and what the those people just ignore them. grading system is and then evaluate them accordingly. —Heidi Laino Coming to a new country and for Test of English for Foreign Lan- to students when they first arrive, learning new culture can be an guage, according to Heidi Laino, Laino said. The hardest part, a adjustment. Each country has its the assistant director at the Center lot of international students say, own set of quirks and customs. The for International Programs and is that in this country, if people International program is always NSE Coordinator. know students are foreign or from looking for volunteers to help make A student must score a 61 on the another country but don’t know if the transition easier on students TOEFL exam to be able to take they speak English, those people coming here from another country. classes at CSU-Pueblo. If a student just ignore them. Americans aren’t The programe also hires students Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 7 who have been accepted for work helpful,” Choi said. “It gives me Those interested in becoming study as communication partners some confidence. In countries like communication partners or helping who will speak to the students and South Korea, children are taught the international program either as show them around campus to feel as young as 8-years-old to read in volunteers or work-study students more welcomed. English, but they may not get a lot may contact Heidi Laino at the “I have only met with a conver- of practice speaking it before they international office in the OUC. sation partner two times, but it is come here. Hello Hola Merhaba Salaam Üdvözlöm Namaste Halo Ohayo Hallo Yah Sahs Nay Hoh Ahoj Olâ Marhaba Szia Hej Ciao Bonjour Jambo Ní Hâo 8 Reporting Public Affairs 2015

Students participate in the university’s Celebrando a la Mujer festivities in 2015, which included folklorico dancing and tradi- tional Hispanic mariachi music. Photo by Jessica Warren. Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 9 Student campus involvement reflects Hispanic roots

By Gianna Lisac das de CSU-Pueblo, and the Ballet Latino students, as stated on the Co-Editor Folklorico exist on campus. PackLink profile. These groups allow the oppor- The group offers students aca- Colorado State University-Pueb- tunity for students who identify demic and career-related advice in lo has been rooted in furthering as Hispanic-American to become their study throughout the commu- education within the Southern involved on campus, while still ac- nity. Colorado community. knowledging their ethnicity. LSU seeks to build a bridge for For several decades, Pueblo’s rich Organizations such as these func- Latino students to ease the tran- Hispanic history has been evident tion to include Hispanic students in sition between being classroom across campus. campus events and to enhance the students and transitioning into the According to the university’s campus-wide cultural diversity. professional world. Multicultural Council, the top level According to the university’s The university’s commitment to of administration is committed to PackLink website, M.E.Ch.A. is a diversity is visible annually, as it diversity and takes pride in en- national student movement that hosts Hispanic Heritage Month. hancing the cultural, linguistic, and stemmed from the nationwide Chi- Festivities include Dia De Los economic backgrounds of not just cano Movement in 1969. Muertos (Day of the Dead) Altars, Hispanic students, but all students The group exists to support the as well as Aztec and Folklorico on campus. campus’s Chicano Studies depart- dances. Since The university took the ment. Hispanic Student life has played a initiative to become a Hispanic The organization is politically role in the dynamic of the campus Serving Institute, multicultural- fueled and guided by principles of atmosphere. ism has become a cornerstone of the Hispanic culture, while enhanc- Student Freddy Correamanrique the university’s mission, and has ing the campus community and has attended the university for four allowed for the genesis of several promoting relationships with mem- years, and is involved in several culturally based organizations. bers of other ethnicities as well. student organizations. In 2002, the Department of Folklorico exists to preserve and Correamanrique participates Education named the university a promote diversity on campus with in the Associated Students Gov- Hispanic Serving Institution. cultural awareness. ernment, as well as several other With at least 25% of the student The group does so through extra-curricular programs and population identifying as Hispan- performances, presentations and activities. ic-American, the university be- programs centered on the tradition “As a student, I have been a part came eligible for additional federal of Mexican folklore Dance. of a number of different organiza- grant aid. The PackLink website states that tions and I’ve worked in different In the university’s fall 20104 cen- the group aims to provide oppor- positions on campus,” said Correa- sus, 1,405 of 4,528 students identi- tunities for association and inter- manrique. fied themselves as Hispanic. action not only on campus, but the “I’ve never felt singled out for Today, Hispanic culture is prev- extended community as well. being Hispanic, but as a student alent on campus. Several groups The Latino Students Unidos is a I have been able to make con- including Movimiento Estudiantil campus organization that organizes nections with numerous people I Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A.), panels, events, educational and net- cherish and look forward to work- the Society of Mexican/American working opportunities to enhance ing with in future endeavors,” he Engineers &Scientist, Mujeres Uni- the success and diversity of local added. 10 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 Black students say they’re proud to share their culture with others

By Kieren Duncan Co-Editor

Colorado State University-Pueb- lo boasts a wide range of ethnici- ties on campus. Each of these has its own way of life, heritage, and in essence its own culture. Each culture is a living, breathing organ- ism; each is a different moving part that works with others in order to makeup the life of this university. One of the many proud diverse groups of people on this campus is Mass Communication majors Akeem Hutchinson and Josh Redmond hang out back- the African-American culture. stage waiting to perform at the 2014 CSU-Puebo’s Got Talent. Photo by Daniel Potter. The black population at explained that he takes more pride what helps its members stand out? CSU-Pueblo has 333 members, in being able to fit into more than Senior Chris Ashe says it has to do about a mere 7.4 percent of the one community and demographic with the entire community essen- student body. Although their num- rather than put so much impor- tially being one big family. bers aren’t as highly representative tance on the color of his skin. “Just the sense of togetherness as those of some other cultures “I’m a part of a couple different makes us unique. Everyone seems on campus, the African-American populations on campus. As you no- to relate to the same issues and students are represented in many ticed I’m African American but I’m that brings them together as a tight fields of study and extra-curricular also a veteran. So I’m in a couple community,” Ashe said. activities at the school. different communities so I feel a Ashe said the entire community With members of this commu- certain amount of pride of being a claims to feel like a family, a collec- nity sprinkled throughout every part of both of those,” Turner said. tive group of like citizens sharing department on campus, as well as “I think my experience, and I’m a similar experiences and building in after-school volunteer programs little older, but my contributions to bonds. This is how communities and athletics, the black community a classroom setting or just talking to and cultures thrive, becoming a has a significant cultural impact. younger students adds to the total tight knit, close group and being “There’s probably some areas experience that I have.” supportive of each other physically, where we can be more repre- The biggest aspect that Turner mentally, and emotionally. sented,” sociology major Dennis focused on was the point of helping Being able to rely on your fellow Turner said. “I’m thinking more each other out. The fact that dif- brother offers a huge advantage in the sociology and social work ferent members in his culture and when it comes to representing a areas. I wouldn’t mind seeing more people in other cultures could add culture positively and effective- black faces over there. That would different perspectives and ideas to ly. Being black at CSU-Pueblo is be probably one area that I know each and every situation in order to more than just a color of skin. It’s a about, since I’m familiar with that benefit all parties was “impressive,” lifestyle and a brotherhood. Quite building and I’m in there all the he said. literally, many black students said, time.” But what makes black culture it’s a family, and family is above Dennis, a 56-year-old veteran, different from other ethnicities and everything. Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 11 12 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 Small town students meet big time college experiences By Michelle Pham Wilkening said. was not as easy as Tuck’s was. Co-Editor Wilkening believes exposure to Rosenbrock, who was born in Col- and interaction with various eth- orado Springs, Colo., moved with For many students, the transition nicities and cultures is a good expe- his family at 2-years-old to Brush, to college from high school is not rience, that it is a part of life. Colo., a small town of about 5,000 easy and that may be, especially The transition was a bit different people. true for the students who come to for Andrea Tuck, a junior health “Farming and ranching is a big Colorado State University-Pueblo promotion major at CSU-Pueblo. industry in the area, and similar to from small towns. They have to “I moved from California to Pueblo, Brush has a large Hispanic transition to the “bigger-city” living Cañon City, so that alone was a population,” Rosenbrock said. that the university has to offer. huge culture shock for me,” Tuck Rosenbrock was not as familiar CSU-Pueblo students have var- said. as Tuck was with such a big town ious ethnic backgrounds, which Cañon City is located in South- as Pueblo. Rosenbrock said it was can lead to a culture shock for ern Colorado, with a population of different coming from a town with some students who have not been approximately 16,000 people, and is the very limited stores and restau- exposed to multiple ethnicities. most noted for being the location of rants to the town of Pueblo that Despite the contrast, most students nine state and four federal prisons. had just about any chain store you have manage to put aside their The Arkansas River flows through could think of, especially Wal-Mart, differences. the city, which is a major tourist which Brush does not have. Moving from a small town, destination; attracting tourists with “Coming from Brush, I was CSU-Pueblo student Morgan the Royal Gorge Bridge, which is already familiar with the His- Wilkening, majoring in English owned by the city. It held the record panic culture but outside of that, with secondary education, is in her of highest bridge in the world from everything else was new to me,” junior year at the university. 1929 to 2001, when it was sur- Rosenbrock said. “We had two Af- Pueblo, with a population of passed by the Liuguanghe Bridge in rican-American families in Brush, 161,451, and CSU-Pueblo, with China. and I think one Asian family.” a total of about 4,528 students, “The greater majority of the pop- It was a big shock understanding constituted a drastic change for ulation in Canon is Caucasian, so the different cultures on campus Wilkening, who came from the coming from a large, diverse pop- for Rosenbrock, especially being a small town of Fleming, Colo., ulation to a small mountain town part of the 2014 Division II Nation- located in Logan County, with the with mostly Caucasian people was al Championship football team at population of 475. odd,” Tuck said. CSU-Pueblo. Wilkening said that Main Street is According to the United States “Everyone had different slang the only paved road. Census Bureau, documents show words and different handshakes, I In Fleming, “the rest is dirt. that 92 percent of the population is didn’t know how to interact with a Downtown consists of a bank, post White alone but that did not hinder lot of the African-American guys office, community center, salon, Tuck’s experience at CSU-Pueblo. on the football team at first,” Rosen- and a restaurant,” Wilkening added. “Coming to college after living in brock said. Wilkening, who refers to herself a small non-diverse city was nice. “But after a while, you get famil- as a people person, said it helped I love diversity and seeing other iar with the culture, and it’s not her transition to a bigger city. cultures working together. Knowing so foreign anymore,” Rosenbrock “The whole idea of college was we all have the same goal to a get a added. exciting. I’ve always been open degree is awesome,” Tuck added. Exposure to multiple ethnicities to new things and new people,” Joseph Rosenbrock’s transition and cultures on campus can change Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 13 perceptions. other people,” Rosenbrock said. their color. “Where you come from and what “You can’t always read a book “After we won, you can imagine you’re exposed to really shapes who by its cover. I have made lifelong the excitement we were all feeling. you are. However, you’ll find that friends with people that I would It’s a dream come true. Not very you have a lot in common with oth- have never met if it weren’t for many people get to call themselves er people that appear very different coming to Pueblo,” he added. national champions,” Rosenbrock from you,” Rosenbrock said. “Change can be a great thing as said. Interaction with these people can long as you make it a great thing. “I remember storming onto the quickly become a good experience. Never give up the opportunity to field when the clock hit zeros, I was “Unless you experience a differ- grow because of differences.” hugging everyone. It didn’t matter ence, the only judgment you have Referring to the 2014 Division II who they were or what they looked is through stereotypes. Because National Championship football like. My teammates are my broth- of football, I was introduced to a game, Rosenbrock said that he is ers.” whole new culture. This has defi- thankful to have experienced it nitely changed my mind about with his teammates, regardless of

Brush, CO Canon City, CO 5,513 16,462

Pueblo, CO 107,772

Flemming,CO 402 The populations of the small towns that CSU-Pueblo students are from compared to that of Pueblo, CO. Data collected from the United States Census Bureau in 2012. 14 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 International program educates campus by bringing diversity

By Michelle Pham Co-Editor

Students experiencing life togeth- er on a college campus, and the way students handle change and dif- ferences is tested in their everyday lives. It’s essential in life for people to experience things out of the social norm, out of their comfort zone, and that is what students who are a part of the Center for International Programs at Colorado State Univer- sity-Pueblo have been doing. The center provides services to The Colorado State University-Pueblo International Program logo located on their Facebook page. Courtesy of CSU-Pueblo. prospective, new and continuing international students. to maintain a consistent level of Williams said. It is CIP’s mission to “promote student diversity. Williams said that there are not international education within the “We like to have students attend any groups underrepresented, but campus community. In doing so, CSU-Pueblo, if it is a good fit for the CIP would like to see more the focus is on the recruitment, them. We look at their academic Middle Eastern students on cam- admission, orientation, enrollment interest, financial capabilities, and pus, as well as students from the and retention of non-immigrant overall educational objectives to de- various regions of Africa. visa holders. Special focus is given termine if we can meet the students’ “One of the CIP recruiters will be to the needs of the foreign students needs,” Williams said. visiting the parts of the Middle East on-campus, helping to ensure this The CIP is mainly responsible for this spring,” Williams said. population’s respective educational the recruitment of international The CIP also reviews educational objectives are met.” students as part of the Student Ser- fairs yearly for possible participa- Some people might wonder if vice and Enrollment Management tion and according to Williams, CSU-Pueblo really is being educat- division of CSU-Pueblo. word-of-mouth from current/ ed by the presence of international When recruiting students, Wil- former students also drives a great students on campus. liams said, research is conducted as deal of their recruitment efforts. Annie Williams, CIP director, to what is happening in the interna- Currently, there are 151 inter- said the presence of international tional market. national students at CSU-Pueblo students not only helps to ensure “We look to recruit in countries from 34 countries. The CIP tries to diversity and financial stability, in which we have existing part- help express these different cultures but it gives us a glimpse into other nership agreements and countries on campus through the Colorado countries that we may, otherwise, offering new or enhanced govern- International Students Association, never be exposed. ment funding options. We also look a student club that hosts events sur- The department strives to in- at economic and political factors rounding the holidays, traditions, crease the quality and quantity of of a given country or region prior and mores of various countries. the international population so as to conducting recruitment trips,” “As a collective volunteer group, Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 15 they understand they have an pez’s second language, was a bar- university in Korea, which led to opportunity and a responsibility to rier at the beginning but as time her decision to come to school in educate the campus about their re- progressed, he was able to interact the United States. spective cultures and do so through with more students, which made it “The main thing I can learn here the presentation of events/activi- easier. is a different way to study. I am able ties,” Williams said. “I did not speak the language to experience a different style of Some of the cultural events/ac- appropriately, and it was often a learning by attending courses in the tivities include the Holi celebration little bit hard to communicate and United States,” Jung said. of colors, Diwali, Lunar New Year, express what I wanted to say,” Lo- “Also, I have more spare time Brazilian Carnival and the biggest pez said. here than in my home country, so I event of the year, the International Despite the difficulties, Lopez has can consider what I really like and Food and Cultural Extravaganza, surpassed his difficulties and has what I want to do away from a busy which will be celebrated for the bigger hopes with his time here at schedule. For example, I’m taking a 77th time this year. CSU-Pueblo. ceramics course here even though Jose Lopez, student president of “The United States is one of the I am a business major, and I found the Colorado International Stu- most developed countries in the that I’m really interested in art,” dents Association at CSU-Pueblo, world and it has proved that it Jung added. said he is able to interact with the knows how to apply and utilize the Jung said that the lecture style is presidents and members of other student associations from his posi- tion. “When we go abroad, we have to “I like to interact with others be- cause I enjoy learning from people,” embrace the new culture. Otherwise Lopez said. Lopez said he has learned a lot at it will be a hard experience. We live CSU-Pueblo, especially being away from his home in Mexico. Major- in a globalized world, and ing in business marketing, Lopez has taken advantage of the classes companies in every field of work are he has already taken. He believes it will help him in his professional aware of this.” career because he will be able to apply the knowledge and concepts —Jose Lopez he has learned in school to real life. knowledge and resources that are different in the United States than it Along with his learning experiences available. I am confident that I will is in South Korea. from classes at CSU-Pueblo, college apply everything that I am learning “In my country, professors say life has also taught him to adapt to to good means in my vocation for much more than students in class; a new culture. the wellness of our community,” however, here, professors always “When we go abroad, we have to Lopez said. encourage students to say some- embrace the new culture. Other- So Yeon Jung, a business major thing about the topic, so I have wise it will be a hard experience. at CSU-Pueblo from South Korea, difficulty speaking my opinion in We live in a globalized world, and said she is personally growing as English or giving a presentation in companies in every field of work an individual by living alone and class because I am not used to it,” are aware of this. This is why it is doing things by herself, away from Jung said. crucial to understand what people her home country. Jung arrived to Jung believes that regardless of think and believe,” Lopez said. the United States on Jan. 5, 2015, the difficulties it is a good expe- Lopez came to the United States and will be at CSU-Pueblo for the rience and a good way to learn a year and a half ago, the same spring semester of 2015. outside of the culture that she is timespan that he has studied at Jung said that in May 2014 stu- accustomed to. CSU-Pueblo. English, being Lo- dents from CSU-Pueblo visited her “I want to meet many people 16 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 from various countries and com- municate with them. I want to grow “This opportunity allows students to by sharing thoughts and making relationships with them. Also, I ex- study all over the world and return pect to improve my English because I need English speaking skills to get to the CSU-Pueblo campus to share a job that I want in the future,” Jung said. the results of their experiences.” Jung said she strongly encour- age students to go abroad or study —Anne Williams abroad. “It’s a great opportunity to grow overcome his predicament. away programs for CSU-Pueblo up, and it is a privilege that can be “I felt uncomfortable interacting students. given to university students,” Jung with them when I couldn’t speak “This opportunity allows students said. English in the beginning but I don’t to study all over the world and Joseph Erhardt, a senior business mind interacting with Americans return to the CSU-Pueblo campus management major, emphasis in now,” Erhardt said. to share the results of their experi- marketing, has experienced the English is the biggest benefit, ences. It is not as active as we would change in culture for eight years. as well as learning about other like it to be, but for those who Now 23, Erhardt moved to the cultures and meeting all kinds of do participate, the experience is United States at the age of 15 from people for Erhardt, something he life-changing,” Williams said. Japan. Erhardt is half Japanese and was able to experience through his Change is inevitable; there’s no half White. move from Japan and working for doubt about it. Students come from Although Erhardt is not an Inter- the International Program. many places, families, cultures, national Program student, he has “I’ve learned to be more responsi- etc.; but despite the challenges of been working for the program for ble academically, financially, phys- interacting with people they are not three and a half years as an “inter- ically and mentally,” Erhardt said accustomed to, these changes act as national program’s assistant.” about his time at CSU-Pueblo. a stepping stone to their future. Coming to the United States, Besides the recruitment of inter- As for her job as director of the Erhardt said, he couldn’t speak En- national students and planned cul- CIP, Williams said she loves it. glish at all but interacting with a lot tural activities, Williams said, CIP’s “I get to travel around the world of American students helped him does house study abroad/study every day and never leave my desk.”

Students from the International Program advertise for the 77th Annual International Extravaganza by showcasing different flags at the Faculty/Staff vs. Students basketball game. Photo by Daniel Potter. Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 17

CSU-Pueblo International Program Student modeling for the 77th Annual Internation Extravaganza at the 2015 Fashion Show. Photo by Daniel Potter. 18 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 you’re sitting in class but all you’re thinking about is the big game you Athletics is a culture have that night. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate.” By Kieren Duncan of college life clearly reduces the However, Jorgensen and most Co-Editor amount you would be able to give student athletes agree that the big- to the other parts of the spectrum. gest difference in mentality revolves What defines a culture? Cultures Suddenly life becomes one big around the social aspect of their create their own way of thinking, balancing act until the workload college life. behaving, and working based on becomes overwhelming. “I have a lot of friends who aren’t their beliefs, customs, and arts. As any student athlete might say, student athletes and they can go out Many hear the word culture and it’s not for everyone. and do whatever they want, while immediately think of ethnicity or “Being a student athlete means a student athlete has to be aware of someone’s heritage. pushing yourself to limits you never the repercussions of their actions, However, any group or society of knew you had, whether it is in the such as facing suspensions, physical people can be a culture, each with classroom, on the track, on the its own ideals that its members hold dear to them. On CSU-Pueblo’s campus, the athletics culture is one “At the end of the day, it’s worth all that’s always changing and always growing. the blood, sweat, and tears to know From the moment they step on campus, the entire lives and sched- one thing: This is the opportunity of ules of athletes begin to be me- ticulously planned out. Schedules a lifetime.” aren’t made based on what classes they want or need to take but rather —Alex Wendt on what time the class begins and ends in order to accommodate their field, or on the court,” said Wendt. punishments, or getting kicked off practice schedule. The challenge appeals to ath- the team,” Jorgensen said. With full class schedules and the letes, and they are passionate about It’s not all incredibly difficult added stress and expectation that athletics as well as their academ- though, as there are many advan- comes with playing a sport, it’s easy ics. That doesn’t necessarily make tages to being a student-athlete. to see that the life of a student-ath- student-athletes better than regular Football player Daniel Wise said lete is more than taxing. It takes students. But it does mean that they the transition from high school to extreme discipline and time man- are a little different. college was easier by being a stu- agement skills, as well as a drive to Soccer athlete Amanda Jorgensen dent athlete. push yourself to excel on and off agrees that the mentality is not the Out of high school he was a part, the field of play. same, and it truly takes a different albeit a tiny part, of a community “Being a student athlete means breed of human to be a student on campus that most don’t get to being disciplined. It means doing athlete at all. Worries and anxieties experience. Surrounded by fellow the right thing even when no one is aren’t the same, and the mindset teammates and athletes from as watching,” track athlete Alex Wendt and approach to daily life are also early as the summer, there was no said. “It means learning how to on different wavelengths. “little fish in a big pond” feeling. manage your time in an effective “I do think I have a different “It helped me adjust to college life way and using your time to the mentality. As a student athlete, I because I was already surrounded fullest because time is the one thing have to better manage my time with by people I was bound to be friends you won’t get back.” school and soccer, between home- with,” football player Daniel Wise Giving any amount of energy, work and workouts,” Jorgensen said. time, or attention to one aspect said. “It could also be stressful if The culture that exists in the Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 19 athletics community is tight knit, wearing the CSU-Pueblo jersey is opportunities that most people will disciplined, and ever evolving. Stu- what makes it all worth it. never get to experience,” Nicole dent athletes recognize each other “Being able to step on the track said. and are naturally drawn to others in wearing a CSU-Pueblo jersey is “At the end of the day, it’s worth their group that they associate with incredibly rewarding knowing that all the blood, sweat, and tears to because immediately a sense of I am representing a community full know one thing: This is the op- respect is shared among athletes. of people who believe in and sup- portunity of a lifetime. The hidden It’s not the easiest life on campus port the Pack Nation family. challenge is realizing the blessing but at the end of the day, Wendt Those early-morning workouts that the title of CSU-Pueblo athlete said the honor that comes with that no one looks forward to are grants us.”

Alex Wendt of the CSU-Pueblo Women’s Track and Field team competing in the 60 meter dash. Photo by Alan Versaw. 20 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 A few student profiles

Name: Joseph Rosenbrock Name: Andrea Tuck Age: 21 Age: 21 Major: Mathematics education Major: Health promotion Hometown: Brush, CO Hometown: Cañon City, CO Ethnicity: Caucasian Ethnicity: Caucasian

Name: Joseph Erhardt Age: 23 Major: Business management, emphasis in marketing Place of birth: Japan Ethnicity: Japanese/Caucasian

Name: Jose Lopez Name: So Yeon Jung Age: 22 Age: 21 Major: Business marketing Major: Business Place of birth: Mexico Place of birth: South Korea Ethnicity: Hispanic Ethnicity: South Korean Cultures & Ethnicities at CSU-Pueblo 21

Name: Brock Davies Name: Ben Jepsen Age: 24 Age: 20 Major: Business marketing Major: History education Place of birth: New Zealand Place of birth: England Ethnicity: Maori/Aussie Ethnicity: Caucasian

Name: Pua Lehua Keola Age: 18 Major: Athletic training Place of birth: Hawaii Ethnicity: Hawaiian/Filipino/ Japanese/Chinese/Irish/German

Name: Saul Cabrera Name: Cala Grayson Age: 24 Age: 20 Major: Business Major: Economics finance Place of birth: El Salvador Hometown: Oahu, Hawaii Ethnicity: Hispanic Ethnicity: Filipino 22 Reporting Public Affairs 2015 : A COMMENTARY

Experiencing a cultured education

Diversity and culture play a major part in the school Especially because they work alongside one another process, but they also provide many learning experi- in classroom settings, students are educated to take ences outside of the college classroom. into consideration that those of different ethnicities and cultural viewpoints have different value systems, Attending schools with diverse populations enriches and by accepting those differences, students are able students’ experiences in college by developing an un- to value the multicultural environment they are a part derstanding of the perspectives of other students from of and use the differences to build a strong foundation a variety of backgrounds and by learning to function for becoming tolerant and wise citizens of the world. in a multicultural environment, something all indi- viduals can benefit from in the real world. Learning to work with others builds great character and teamwork because it requires learning how to Colorado State University-Pueblo has a wide range adjust to working in settings with unfamiliar individ- of students who bring their ethnicities and cultures uals, to communicate professionally and effectively together to achieve the same life goal of obtaining a with those individuals to achieve common goals. degree. This isn’t always easy for students here, not only because they come from different backgrounds, It is important to not only acknowledge the need for some with different values, but because many also diversity within the university setting but to also take come from different cultures around the world and notice of it with an open, objective eye regarding all within the U.S. cultural and ethnic differences.

Whether CSU-Pueblo students are from different It is the duty of the millennial generation, which countries, states, cities, etc., they all have come togeth- includes today’s college students, to acknowledge er and begin to understand the perspectives of others and embrace the fascinating and positive differences in order to enrich their experience. This can occur in among us in order to enhance global diversity, which classroom settings, at events, and by participating in is perhaps the greatest skill to acquire before entering other school functions. full participation in the real world beyond graduation.