Colorado Mesa University

School mission (as provided by the school):

The secret is out. Colorado Mesa University's rigorous and diverse curriculum--delivered in an intimate setting with personal, hands-on attention--has made it one of the fastest growing colleges in Colorado. Since its founding in 1925, CMU has matured into one of Colorado's premier institutions with degrees offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Indeed, Colorado Mesa University embodies the pioneering spirit of the West with a bold history of growth and change. Recently, Colorado Mesa University has continued this tradition of development and evolution. An extensive campus improvement project has resulted in one of the most modern campuses in the West featuring new residence halls, state-of-the-art classrooms and new athletic facilities. Substantial resources have been invested in integrating cutting-edge technology throughout its three campuses. In 2010, construction was completed on a new recreation center, a new college center/student union, as well as the expansion and renovation of the health sciences complex, the performing arts center, and science facilities. In total, the campus has nearly doubled in square footage since 2004. The University's academic programs have undergone the same revitalization as the physical campus. Since 2004, a net of 33 new programs of study have been added to complement existing offerings. Enrollment has grown to 8,130 students - an increase of 30 percent in the last six years. All the while, the student-to-faculty ratio has remained a desirably low and today is 22 to 1. At Colorado Mesa University, students find a balance of educational excellence and real-world experience that prepares them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Students value the educational experience that cannot be found at larger colleges and universities. A broad array of majors, with numerous areas of concentration are taught by faculty who have chosen teaching as the focus of their professional careers. Interaction between students and faculty is commonplace and affords faculty the ability to involve undergraduates in challenging research opportunities usually found in graduate programs. Professors know their students and establish relationships that last long after students enter the workforce or have gone on to earn graduate degrees. CMU students come from diverse backgrounds, more than 40 states and several foreign countries. However, an outstanding education is only one part of what makes college here such a rewarding experience. Located in the beautiful high-desert country of western Colorado, the surrounding area provides unmatched year-round outdoor recreational opportunities--from mountain-biking to whitewater rafting to alpine skiing-and much more. With an area population exceeding 145,000, students enjoy the amenities of a big city without the hassles of heavy traffic, crime or crowded airports. Quiet residential neighborhoods, lively restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores surround our campus. Within walking distance is one of the city's largest parks. Plus, CMU offers more than 70 clubs and organizations that help to round out the college experience. The University's 22 NCAA Division II intercollegiate teams regularly achieve national ranking and compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Together with club sports and intramurals, and a campus that sits in the middle of some of the best recreation in the West, Colorado Mesa University is one of the most active schools anywhere. To help make this superb college experience possible for everyone, CMU continues to offer some of the most affordable tuition and fees in the region, and has a wide range of financial aid packages available to students, including academic and leadership scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study awards.