College Experience

The College Experience is a new program for the Pre-Collegiate Development Program, but is not new to the Pikes Peak Region. From 2010 to 2018, a program funded and coordinated by the El Pomar Foundation called the College Readiness and Success Program offered Pikes Peak area high school students a series of workshops designed to address a range of topics including college success, self-advocacy, financial literacy, pre-collegiate resources, and retention. This comprehensive workshop series consisted of four workshops held throughout the year at higher education institutions at no cost to students and families.

After 8 successful years, the program was transitioned in the fall of 2018 to operate under the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Pre-Collegiate Development Program. The Pre-Collegiate Development Program is designed to give high school students an opportunity to gain college credit, academic skills, peer mentorship, and exposure to higher education through dual enrollment, professional development, and community service learning.

Modeled after the El Pomar Foundation: College Readiness and Success Program, Pre-Collegiate Development Program now includes The College Experience workshop series where students participate in workshops held at various higher education institutions.

College Visits

The College Experience campus events series gives Pre-Collegiate scholars the opportunity to experience four unique college campus settings in the Pikes Peak Region. Visits will include conference style sessions, tours, as well as opportunities to experience campus highlights that complement the scholar’s academic and personal goals.

College Experience events are held at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado College, and the United States Air Force Academy. Events take place at each campus once per year, usually on Saturdays. Programming is differentiated by grade level at each College Experience conference and or are also tailored to the scholars' career pathway interests.

Programming is designed by the Pre-Collegiate Development program, higher education professionals, local College and University student support services, college scholarship providers and community-based organizations to support high school student in the Pikes Peak region.

Learn more about Pathways

The College Experience Ambassadors and Logistics Volunteers

Ambassadors and Logistics Volunteers are professionals within the Pikes Peak region who have volunteered to work with groups of students at The College Experience events to provide guidance, insight and mentorship through the workshop year. Ambassadors work with students from the opening session to the closing session and participate with the students in workshop sessions.
To volunteer as an Ambassador or to get more information, contact Victoria Caruso at Vcaruso@uccs.edu or 719-255-3457.

Select a higher education institution to get more information

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Admissions
- For more information, please email go@uccs.edu or call 719-255-3084.
Admissions Website
Pikes Peak Community College
Pikes Peak Community College Admissions
- For more information, please email enrollment@ppcc.edu or call 719-502-2000.
Admissions Website
Colorado College
Colorado College Admissions
- For more information, please email admission@coloradocollege.edu or call 719-389-6344.
Admissions Website
United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy Admissions
- For more information, please visit the USAFA Contact Page at https://www.academyadmissions.com/contact/.
Admissions Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend The College Experience events?

The College Experience events are open to enrolled 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade Pre-Collegiate scholars from any district and high school. These events are a great opportunity for scholars to explore a variety of college campuses in the Pikes Peak Region. Scholars will be able to meet and connect with Pre-Collegiate scholars from other high schools and districts.

What can I expect at The College Experience campus visits?

To gain support and learn about resources available to high school students and families regarding scholarships, financial aid, student support services and post-secondary education opportunities.

The workshop series will address a range of topics including college success, self-advocacy financial literacy, pre-collegiate resources and retention.

What is the Resource Fair?

At the college visits, scholars will have an opportunity to participate in a Resource Fair. The College Experience program invites local organizations, college departments, and clubs to the Resource Fairs to showcase activities and organizations that exist at the college outside the classroom. The opportunity allows scholars to learn more about the college and the numerous opportunities that await them after high school.

Who can I expect to meet at the Resource Fair?

Scholars can expect to meet representatives from various college admissions teams, college specific clubs and organizations, as well as local organizations such as the Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls of the Pikes Peak Region and many other local organizations.

Is transportation provided?

District 8, District22, and District 49 will provide transportation to the events. Scholars in districts not listed above will need to provide their own transportation. Carpooling is encouraged, when possible.

Do I have to pay for parking at campus visits?

Free parking is provided at campus visits. Specific campus parking information will be listed on the campus visit invitations. Guests must park in the lots reserved for The College Experience attendees.

Will meals be provided?

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Please note any dietary restrictions on your RSVP.

Are the campus visits free to attend?

Yes, this comprehensive workshop series will consist of four workshops at no cost to students and families

Do I have to attend all The College Experience events?

When possible, students are encouraged to attend all campus visits. That said, student may choose to attend campus visits that are of interest to them, as they work to achieve their participation points.

Can I attend all The College Experience workshops?

Yes, Pre-Collegiate students are encouraged to attend all The College Experience Workshops, if possible.

Should my parent(s), guardian(s), or family member(s) attend?

Once a year we host a financial aid informational session at one of the college visits and parent(s) and or guardian(s) are HIGHLY encouraged to attend with the Pre-Collegiate scholar. Invitations will indicate which college visits are open to parent(s), guardian(s), and or family members.

However, the majority of The College Experience college events are open only to Pre-Collegiate scholars. Families are welcome to drop-off and pick-up their scholars at campus visits.

How do I RSVP? How do I know if I’ve RSVP’d?

Beginning in Fall 2020, scholars will RSVP through a Cvent invitation emailed to them. Invitations will also be mailed to students closer to each event date. Scholars will also receive a confirmation of their RSVP.

My organization would like to join future Resource Fairs. Who should I contact?

Please contact Lila Hajar, College Experience and Outreach Program Coordinator, if you would like to host a table at future College Experience resource fairs. You may reach Lila Hajar by email at Lhajar@uccs.edu or by calling 719-255-3457.

What is the Ambassadors role?

As an Ambassador you will have the privilege to serve as a leader and mentor to a group of students in a specific career pathway on the day of the site visit. Greet students as they arrive, actively participate in session discussions, assist facilitators/presenters/speakers, collect student evaluations.

What is the Logisitic's Volunteer role?

As a Logistics Volunteer you will assist with set up, check-in, breakfast, lunch, breakdown, and other logistical duties on the day of the site visit.

I would like to be a College Experience Ambassador or Logisitic's Volunteer. Who should I contact?

Please contact Lila Hajar, College Experience and Outreach Program Coordinator, if you would like to become an Ambassador or Logistic Volunteer. You may reach Lila Hajar by email at Lhajar@uccs.edu or by calling 719-255-3457.

I recently graduated from the Pre-Collegiate Development Program. Can I volunteer as an Ambassador or Logisitic's Volunteer?

Yes, please contact Lila Hajar, College Experience and Outreach Program Coordinator, if you would like to volunteer as an Ambassador or Logistic Volunteer at future College Experience events. You may reach Lila Hajar by email at Lhajar@uccs.edu or by calling 719-255-3457.