When Ria Mensah started her job at CSU in October 2022, she knew her living situation in University Village would not be permanent.
And as she has been looking at other places to rent in the Fort Collins area, most are at least $2,500 or $3,000 a month.
Then Mensah heard about the new Rendezvous Trail apartment complex on Timberline Road, where nearly 60 units have been set aside for CSU employees at reduced prices. She and her 16-year-old son Micah will be moving into their two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit this month, and she is thrilled.
Mensah said it’s an example of CSU taking good care of its faculty and staff.
“It makes me feel like they value me and want me to stay,” she said of CSU. “I think it’s important to continue to provide attainable housing for others in this predicament. It’s imperative that the word gets out so that employees know CSU is making this happen, and so that employees can have a beautiful place to live near where they work.”
Images courtesy of Tetrad Real Estate
CSU alumna
Mensah graduated from CSU with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music in 2002. As a student, she performed at the former Carousel Dinner Theatre as well as in opera and theatre productions at CSU. Mensah even sang at special campus events for former CSU President Albert Yates and late CSU faculty member Tom Sutherland.
During her time at CSU, she had a student job working at Black Student Services (now the Black/African American Cultural Center) when Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes was its director.
“Blanche asked me one day what my career goals were, and I said, ‘I want your job,’” Mensah recalled with a laugh. “Blanche replied, ‘Come and get it.’”
But Mensah, who is from Houston, returned to her hometown after graduating from CSU, most recently working for the U.S. Post Office before landing her new role as fiscal and administrative coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs. She said she has always wanted to return to Fort Collins for a job at CSU, and she is using her employee tuition benefit to earn her master’s degree in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program.
“I’ve always seen CSU as supportive and a place where I can grow, and this new housing just proves again that it is,” she said. “Now they are providing a place where you can afford to live while you work and go to school.”
Photos by John Eisele/CSU Photography
Top quality
Mensah said she is getting good value for her money at Rendezvous Trail, with amenities like stainless steel appliances, a washer/dryer, high-quality flooring, digital thermostats and a balcony or porch.
“Micah is so excited; he was saying the other night that we need to start packing,” she said of her son. “I think people will be very impressed with the apartments at Rendezvous Trail.”
Most of the Rendezvous Trail apartments are becoming available in February and March, and there are still units available at rates equal to 80% of the area median income (AMI) and 100% AMI. The remaining three-bedroom units are priced at 80% AMI.
Information regarding eligibility criteria, cost, and the pre-screen application may all be found on the Employee Housing Program’s website. The leasing company also recently launched its website, where there are additional photos and information.
