The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is seeking input from its community to help define what makes the institution distinctive. The Office of Strategic Initiatives has organized a series of focus groups running through October 3, aiming to collect perspectives from students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and community partners.
These sessions are intended to explore UCCS’s unique qualities and how they can be communicated more effectively. Participants will discuss factors that differentiate UCCS from other institutions. According to the announcement, “A differentiator is the reason students, families, and community partners choose UCCS over other institutions. It must be: Relevant – speaking directly to the needs, challenges, and goals of our community. Unique and hard to replicate – reflecting strengths that are distinctive to UCCS. Broadly impactful – shaping the core experiences of most students and stakeholders. Provable – backed by real outcomes, student success stories, community impact, and recognition.”
Focus group sessions are available in both in-person and virtual formats and last between 60 to 75 minutes. Specific dates have been set for different populations within the university:
– Students: Virtual session on September 26 from 10–11:30 a.m., in-person session on September 29 from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
– Faculty: In-person sessions on September 25 from 2:30–4 p.m., and October 1 from noon–1:30 p.m.
– Staff: Virtual session on September 29 from 3–4:30 p.m.
– Community partners, alumni, and donors can participate by completing an online survey.
The initiative emphasizes broad participation across campus groups as well as engagement with those who may offer unconventional viewpoints. Organizers state that “your insights will help us determine which potential differentiator best reflects UCCS’s identity, strengths, and future direction.”
Those interested in joining can register via the Focus Group Registration form or complete the Differentiator Focus Group Action Survey for certain groups.
“We want to hear your voice,” reads part of the statement issued about this effort.
