While coming to Colorado State University felt a little like coming home for soon-to-be graduate Anaïs Markwood – a second-generation Ram – it was when she stretched out of her comfort zone that she found the greatest success. 

“If I had to offer one piece of advice to incoming students, it would be to put yourself out there and take advantage of the opportunities that CSU offers you,” said Markwood, an honors student majoring in English with a double concentration in Writing, Rhetoric & Literacy and Creative Writing, and minoring in Interdisciplinary Arabic Studies. “Deciding to put myself out there by trying new things has been one of the best decisions I made here, as it opened doors to all of the amazing communities that I am now a part of and brought me all the wonderful friendships that I have today.” 

Markwood was one of the founders of the College of Liberal Arts Arabic Club, an organization focused on Arabic culture and language. 

“Anaïs is truly an incredible student,” said CLA Academic Success Coordinator Kimberly Daggett. “She is engaged with her coursework but also with her service work. She is striving to make CSU a better place and a better place to learn with more diverse curricular options.”