Academic Support Consultations

RISE Peer Mentors work with students to address transition to CU Denver, interpersonal and communication skills, clarification of academic goals and any other question or issue broadly related to academic support. The RISE Peer Mentors can also help immigrant, international, and non-native English-speaking students think through academic challenges, find programs or services that meet their needs, and work to develop an action plan with the goal of gaining new strategies, techniques, and skills to enhance academic effectiveness and efficiency.

English Language Support

The number of English learners enrolled in university programs has skyrocketed over the past ten years, a trend that will only increase. Non-native, English-speaking college students face distinct challenges in succeeding in this environment. RISE Peer Mentors are here to help CU Denver students from around the country and the world as their diverse perspectives enrich our campus community. We offer a selection of services to support students whose primary language is not English. International and multilingual students are encouraged to take advantage of the LRC RISE Program to enhance any aspect of their English use or cross-cultural communication.

Spring 2023 Schedule COMING SOON

Conversation Circles

gather together monthly with your peers in the Learning Hub to:

• practice your English
• develop your English-speaking skills
• build community

Spring 2023 Sessions TBA

Practice your conversational skills with us and make new friends! Join our conversation circles.

On and Off Campus Referrals

The LRC’s RISE Program makes every attempt to assist immigrant, international, and non-native English-speaking students in their academic journey, but we can’t do it alone. Over the years, we have built and maintained thoughtful and important connections with campus partners and community leaders. Our RISE Peer Mentors will network with students and campus/community contacts to ensure they have all the tools necessary to succeed at CU Denver. This not only assists students find the resources they need, but also fosters a sense of connection and community helping students feel as though there is always someone they can reach out to for additional support. 

Documents and Forms Help

Financial Aid documents can be a little overwhelming for immigrant, international, and non-native English speaker students. Our RISE Peer mentors, following the Office of Financial Aid’s guidelines, will work to identify the correct financial aid application forms (FAFSA or CASFA) and documents needed, as well as guide students on the process for completing and submitting these forms to respective recipients. In partnership with CU Denver's Center for Identify and Inclusion (CII), the LRC is hosting a forms help session for students. 

Please bring:

• Income tax forms
• Parents' income tax forms if younger than 24 yo.
• Social Security Number (if you have one)
• FAFSA only: FSA ID and Parent FSA ID if younger than 24 yo.

Peer Education and Mentoring

At the college level, students who work with mentors experience less stress, participate more, and perform better in classes. Many learners find the transition to college a bit stressful and connecting with more experienced students can help immigrant, international, and non-native English-speaking students launch the next chapter of their education. Our RISE Peer Mentors aim to enhance supportive relationships, share knowledge and experience, and provide an opportunity for students to learn from different perspectives. Peer mentors answer questions, offer encouragement and guidance, and provide open-ended support and joint problem-solving.