One of the best decisions Hannah Phelps ever made was applying to work for the Learning Assistant Program at CSU.

The program is a partnership among The Institute for Learning and Teaching and several academic departments that aims to support active learning and an equitable classroom environment for students. Phelps worked in the program for four semesters as a learning assistant – offering peer-to-peer academic support to fellow undergrads majoring in biology like herself.

In that role, she led a team of other learning assistants as they supported students working through the key introductory biology course Life 102. That work included scheduling exam reviews and tutoring sessions in close partnership with professors Kimberly Jeckel and Erik Arthun, for example.

“Being able to make a difference in students’ lives ­– not only personally but academically – has been extremely fulfilling,” said Phelps.

Phelps is originally from St. Louis and decided to attend CSU after visiting Colorado frequently during summer road trips. During those trips her family would raft or hike, and she said she became aware of all the opportunities the state offered. When it came time to pick a university, she said CSU just made sense.

“I knew from the moment I arrived on CSU’s campus that I felt at home,” she said. “The opportunities that were available to me here aligned with my interests perfectly.”

Phelps is graduating with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry from the College of Natural Sciences. After graduation, she plans to attend a master’s program to become an anesthesiology assistant.

“I have applied to several programs and am waiting to hear back, but I am eager to see what the future has in store for me,” she said.