During the 2022-23 academic year, we are highlighting one Colorado State University student or alum from each of Colorado’s 64 counties. The Centennial State’s land grant university has a connection to the diverse lands and people from the counties of Moffat to Baca, Montezuma to Sedgwick and everywhere in between.

Cheyanne Hope

Major: Agricultural Education with a concentration in Teacher Development (2022 graduate)

Why I chose CSU: I chose CSU not only because it is the premier school for Agricultural Education in the state but also the feeling I experienced whenever I visited CSU. When touring campus, I could picture myself studying in this little nook of the Behavioral Science Building, or walking around Monfort Quad, or hanging out with new friends in one of the many amazing residence halls and dining centers. I chose CSU because of the feeling of belonging from others, the environment of excellence, and just the overall good energy that CSU and Fort Collins imbue onto anybody in range.

Favorite thing about CSU: The faculty! Being in AgEd, I took classes in almost every college and subject area, and I met supportive faculty at every turn. Caring faculty made a huge difference in my ability to stay and finish at CSU. Department Heads, academic advisors, associate professors, deans, and instructors alike are the reason I was able to be successful at CSU.

Clubs/organizations in college: National Residence Hall Honorary, CSU AgEd Alliance, Ag Ambassadors

Scholarships/awards in college: Colorado Home and Garden Show Scholarship, Ram Grant, Pell Grant, Wayne and Gladys Johnson Ag Scholarship, Agricultural Scholarship, Haselbush Family Scholarship, Fred and Margaret Ricks Scholarship, Senior Leadership Award

Favorite achievement: One of my favorite achievements in high school and college is the fact that I graduated as a first-generation student!

Quirky fact(s): I make a mean from-scratch apple pie and I have a rock inside my elbow from crashing my bike when I was younger.

Career goals: I hope to be an agricultural educator for a long while. AgEd and FFA changed the trajectory of my life for the better, and I hope to be an agent of positive change for the education system and for my students.

Favorite instructor(s)/class: One of my favorite instructors was Mr. Nathan Clark who taught many of the laboratory and power, structure, and technical classes needed for AgEducators. Not only did he lay the foundation for my skills in the shop environment which I now use everyday with my students, but he is one of the biggest contributors to my success at CSU. His patience, guidance, grace, and care for me as a person and a student was a major factor in being able to finish my degree, and I know I would not have graduated without his unyielding support and mentorship.

I’d like to thank: Kellie Enns, Nathan Clark, Aubrial Zachman, Susan Brown, the entire DARE Department, and College of Agricultural Sciences for providing me with excellent opportunities and genuine human connection. I never once got lost in the sea of Rams, and due to their passion and commitment to student-success, I am successful in my career as an educator.

Favorite NOCO food and hangouts: You can’t beat Jaws Sushi and Sherpa Grill 2 for food! My favorite hangout place was the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education, home of AgEd!

Favorite CSU tradition: Rams supporting Rams!

What do you tell people from Lincoln County about CSU: I love the atmosphere at CSU! The faculty really care about students, and I alway felt like I mattered.

Something people should know about Lincoln County: Lincoln County is special because of the kind, welcoming and hard-working people who live in it. Agriculture, service industries, correctional facilities, first responders, booming businesses and great schools are at the heart of Lincoln County.

Biggest adversity you’ve overcome at CSU: One of the biggest challenges I faced at CSU was learning how to be both a learner and a teacher during the pandemic. Lab experiences, face-to-face instruction, teaching students on Google Classroom, and being a learner myself in this environment was a challenge. Thankfully, due to CSU’s response and the extra effort put in by CSU faculty, I was still able to receive a quality education despite the challenges.