Published: April 1, 2021

Finding your community on campus can take time, but joining a student organization or being part of a team sport aren’t the only ways to connect. That is why we put together a list of other ways you can find your community on campus. 

students hanging out on campusBecome a mentor

One of the best ways to get involved on campus is to guide the next generation of students. If you like sharing your experiences with others, becoming a mentor could be the perfect way to get involved. Check out some areas to engage with other Buffs.

Off-Campus Mentoring

Commuter Peer Mentors. If you have previously or are currently commuting to campus and have knowledge of navigating both campus and the surrounding areas, this is a great opportunity to get involved. You can assist first‐year commuter students with their transition to CU through a variety of interactions including group cluster meetings, one-on-one meetings, emails, text messages, social media and more. 

Neighborhood Ambassadors. As a Neighborhood Ambassador, you can help neighborhood communities build better relationships through engagement, education and dialogue. As an ambassador, you will have the chance to educate residents on how to be a good neighbor, avoid citations, deal with complaints or misunderstandings with surrounding community members and more. 

Health & Wellness

Peer Wellness Coach. As a Peer Wellness Coach, you will be trained to help other students optimize their personal health and wellness. You’ll have the chance to work one-on-one with students to set wellness goals and connect them to resources to help them make meaningful changes in their lives and achieve their goals.  

HealthBuffs Peer Educators. HealthBuffs Peer Educators are students who offer presentations to campus groups and departments, provide resources at events and lead daily wellness programs for students. For more information on how to get involved with HealthBuffs, visit the Health & Wellness page. 

CU Collegiate Recovery Center (CUCRC). The CUCRC offers free peer-to-peer support meetings, social events and community for those in recovery, interested in recovery and recovery allies. You can join the center on a drop-in basis or apply to their CORE member program to participate in additional opportunities, including mentorship, leadership and development, individualized coaching and more.

Attend a guest lecture

Did you know that Trevor Noah and Esther Perel are just two people who have provided guest lectures for CU Boulder students? Guest speakers are a common phenomenon at CU and being part of these events can be a great way to engage on campus. 

Attending guest lectures can introduce you to topics about diversity, ideas or culture you may not have otherwise known about. You can look for guest speakers within your department or major to start in a place you already know you want to learn more about. The Cultural Events Board and the Distinguished Speakers Board are also great places to start looking for different ways to be inspired, learn new things and meet new people that may be interested in the same things as you!

Explore programs

Another way to connect on campus is by exploring programs within CU that you may not even know existed. For example, did you know that CU Boulder was ranked amongst the top 10 military friendly schools in Tier 1 research institutions? If you are a student veteran, the Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) office can help with your transition and success in higher education, and help you find your community on campus. Learn more about the services and support VMA offers. 

You can also reach out to your professor in your favorite class and ask them about opportunities to be more involved in your academic journey. For example, did you know there is an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)? Through UROP, you can apply for funding for research, scholarly or creative projects in your major and field of study. Remember that opportunities to get involved can happen inside and outside of the classroom. 

Go to events

Attending events can be one of the most effective ways to get involved, meet new people and discover new interests. Here are some events to take advantage of:

  • Attend language coffee hours. If you’re taking a language course, you may have the chance to practice what you learn outside the classroom. Some language departments have weekly coffee hours for you to practice what you’re learning in a casual setting. 
  • Explore The Connection at the UMC. From bowling to billiards to ping pong, The Connection is a great place to relax, study and meet new friends.  
  • Discover new events with Program Council. Program Council brings concerts, movie screenings, comedy shows and more to campus. Follow them on social media for upcoming events!
  • Review the CU Boulder events calendar. The CU Boulder events calendar is a great place to start your search for events happening that day, week or month. Make sure to bookmark this page on your browser to always stay in the know.

For more tips and resources on events and getting involved, visit the Student Affairs website, check out the student events webpage and be sure to follow us on social media @CUBoulderLife on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!