Reversed horizontal Spur logo.

201: College in Colorado

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College in Colorado: Find your future in food, water, and health!

Tap the screen to start

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Please select a language to continue: English or Spanish.

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First, choose the image you are most drawn to.

Did you know: CSU is not just in Fort Collins? There are also campuses here in Denver, Pueblo, and even online through CSU Global!

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  • You have chosen food! Now answer a set of questions to determine what college major you may be interested in exploring.
  • You have chosen water! Now answer a set of questions to determine what college major you may be interested in exploring.
  • You have chosen health! Now answer a set of questions to determine what college major you may be interested in exploring.

Questions following screen 4, for food

1. Which food-related activity are you most excited about?

  1. Designing beautiful food presentations and styling food for social media or events.
  2. Learning how food can improve people’s health.
  3. Running a farm-to-table business.
  4. Designing sustainable food systems for cities or communities.
  5. Discovering how ancient cultures influenced and shaped modern food.

Fun fact! Spur Start allows first-year college students in the Denver metro area to live at home and attend classes nearby at CSU Spur!

2. Which class project interests you the most?

  1. Creating a pop-up restaurant with themed food design and menus.
  2. Creating a healthy eating guide/menu.
  3. Designing a marketing plan for a food company.
  4. Building a model of a farm or garden.
  5. Researching how crops like hemp or spices have traveled and shaped global food.

3. Which problem are you most passionate about solving?

  1. Making healthy foods more visually appealing and accessible through packaging and design.
  2. Helping people understand how food can prevent or cause diseases.
  3. Reducing food waste produced by restaurants or supply chains.
  4. Making food systems eco-friendly and fairer for all.
  5. Preserving and documenting traditional crops and recipes.

Did you know: Every day is free application day for Colorado residents at CSU.

4. Which school subject do you enjoy the most?

  1. Art or design
  2. Biology or science
  3. Business or economics
  4. Environmental science and sustainability
  5. History or anthropology

5. Which field trip would you most like to attend?

  1. Touring a food styling studio.
  2. Visiting a sports and medical facility.
  3. Exploring a large farm and distribution center.
  4. Visiting and learning about an urban food lab.
  5. Attending a cultural or agricultural history festival.

Did you know: CSU students were awarded about $377M total aid in 2023-2024.

6. Pick a skill you would like to master.

  1. Styling food for magazines, commercials, or other digital media.
  2. Curating healthy meal plans.
  3. Running a successful food company.
  4. Creating a sustainable food operation for a local restaurant.
  5. Documenting and understanding different food stories, traditions, or uses of hemp.

7. Which of these work locations is the most interesting to you?

  1. A magazine studio.
  2. A nutrition or wellness center.
  3. A food processing plant, produce hub, or farm co-op.
  4. A farm or urban greenhouse.
  5. A museum or agricultural research center.

Fun fact! CSU is a tier one research institution and a D1 school!

8. Which creative project would you rather do?

  1. Design a food art gallery.
  2. Kickstart a “healthy eating” campaign.
  3. Create a business plan for a new restaurant.
  4. Start a sustainable food market for a city.
  5. Write about the history of a traditional crop or dish.

9. Which event would be the most interesting to plan and host?

  1. A global food fashion and art show.
  2. A health and wellness fair highlighting superfoods.
  3. A farm-to-table event that shows how food gets from seed to plate.
  4. A community event showcasing local sustainable farming practices.
  5. A cultural or historical food tasting event.

Did you know? CSU teaches students how businesses can be more sustainable!

10. How do you picture the future of food?

  1. Interactive dining experiences where food is part of visual and digital art.
  2. Personalized nutrition plans for everyone.
  3. Vertical farms that can feed entire cities.
  4. Zero-waste food systems are powered by renewable energy.
  5. Reviving and teaching forgotten crops and world cuisines.

11. Which career seems the most appealing?

  1. A food designer – A professional who creates new food products, recipes, or packaging to improve taste, health, and appeal.
  2. A nutritionist – An expert who studies food and its effects on health, helping people make better eating choices.
  3. Agribusiness manager – A leader who oversees the business side of farming and food production, from crops and livestock to sales and marketing.
  4. Sustainability coordinator – Someone who develops and manages programs to make food and agriculture more environmentally friendly.
  5. Food or agricultural writer/researcher – A professional who studies food and farming topics and shares information through reports, articles, or books.

Fun fact! CSU is an academic host of Semester at Sea!

Questions following screen 4 for water

1. Which water-related activity are you the most excited about?

  1. Mapping rivers and testing water quality.
  2. Creating rules that ensure everyone has access to clean water.
  3. Designing systems that recycle or clean water.
  4. Protecting water ecosystems and studying plants and animals that rely on that water.
  5. Designing sustainable landscaping, like rain gardens.

Did you know: Every day is free application day for Colorado residents at CSU.

2. What global issue are you most passionate about solving?

  1. Keeping rivers and lakes clean and healthy for the future.
  2. Making clean water a right for everyone.
  3. Creating technology to fight water pollution.
  4. Protecting endangered ocean animals.
  5. Growing plants that need less water.

3. Which job would you want to try for a day?

  1. Help test water in rivers and lakes.
  2. Advocate for water rights policies.
  3. Build water pipelines or a rainwater collection system.
  4. Scuba diving to study marine ecosystems.
  5. Design landscapes focused on conserving water in a neighborhood.

Fun fact! Spur Start allows first-year college students in metro Denver to live at home and attend classes nearby at CSU Spur!

4. Which project would you prefer to lead in the future?

  1. Restoring wetlands to help wildlife.
  2. Passing laws to prevent water waste.
  3. Building a “smart” irrigation system.
  4. Tracking ocean currents and studying how this affects sea life.
  5. Reducing city water use by planting Colorado native plants.

5. Which school subject do you enjoy the most?

  1. Earth science or geography.
  2. Social studies or civics.
  3. Math or physics.
  4. Biology or oceanography.
  5. Plant science or agriculture.

Did you know: CSU students were awarded about $377M total aid in 2023-2024.

6. Which tool would you rather learn how to use?

  1. A drone (to track rivers and forests).
  2. A megaphone (to campaign for water laws).
  3. 3D software (to design water systems).
  4. An underwater camera (to photograph sea life).
  5. Garden tools (for planting and soil testing).

7. Which of these work locations is the most interesting to you?

  1. National park
  2. Government office
  3. Water treatment plant
  4. Research boat
  5. Greenhouse

Fun fact! CSU is a tier one research institution and a D1 school!

8. Which field trip would you most like to attend?

  1. Hiking along a watershed and collecting data.
  2. Visiting the state capital to learn about and discuss water rights.
  3. Touring Denver Water’s filtration systems.
  4. Snorkeling to observe coral reefs and other marine life.
  5. Touring a plant nursery.

9. What question do you want to investigate the most?

  1. How do rivers shape entire communities?
  2. How do water rights impact communities?
  3. How is technology helping to solve water crises?
  4. How do deep-sea creatures survive?
  5. How can green spaces save water in cities?

Did you know? CSU teaches students how businesses can be more sustainable!

10. Which creative project would you rather do?

  1. Designing an interactive map that shows how rivers connect to communities and other spaces.
  2. Creating a campaign poster.
  3. Drawing a blueprint for a futuristic water system.
  4. Making a photo series of ocean wildlife.
  5. Designing a public garden.

11. Which career interests you the most?

  1. Hydrologist – A scientist who studies water in every form and its movement through the environment.
  2. Policy maker – Someone who creates laws and regulations that help people get clean water.
  3. Water systems designer – An engineer who creates technologies and infrastructure for water treatment and delivery.
  4. Marine biologist – A scientist who studies ocean plants, animals, and ecosystems.
  5. Landscape designer – A professional who plans and designs outdoor spaces that conserve water and protect the environment.

Fun fact! CSU is an academic host of Semester at Sea!

Questions following screen 4 for health

1. Which activity interests you the most?

  1. Caring for animals and learning about their health.
  2. Studying the human body and medicine.
  3. Designing programs to keep communities healthy.
  4. Helping people improve their mental well-being.
  5. Coaching athletes on improving their physical fitness.

2. What is your favorite school subject?

  1. Biology
  2. Chemistry
  3. Social studies
  4. Psychology
  5. Physical education or health

Did you know: CSU students were awarded about $377M total aid in 2023-2024.

3. Which field trip would you like to attend the most?

  1. Visiting a zoo.
  2. Touring a hospital and medical research lab.
  3. Visiting the public health department.
  4. Observing a mental health support center.
  5. Participating in a sport then touring the athletic rehabilitation center.

4. If you could invent something to improve overall health, what would it be?

  1. A device that helps animals “talk” to vets.
  2. A robot that can assist doctors in surgeries.
  3. An app that tracks and alerts users about water and food safety.
  4. Glasses that can help you see a person’s true emotions.
  5. Shoes that track your movement to improve your training.

Did you know: CSU’s veterinary school earned the No. 3 spot in the 2025-2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

5. What problem would you like to solve in the future?

  1. Saving endangered animals from disease.
  2. Finding a cure for a major illness.
  3. Eliminating water-borne diseases within poor communities.
  4. Reducing stress and mental health struggles in young people.
  5. Preventing injuries for athletes before they get hurt.

6. If you could explore an ancient civilization’s health system, which one would you pick?

  1. How Egyptians cared for animals.
  2. Ancient Greek medicine and surgery.
  3. Roman aqueducts and sanitation.
  4. Early mental health practices and rituals within Medieval Europe.
  5. Training methods of ancient samurai of Japan.

Fun fact! Spur Start allows first year college students in metro Denver to live at home and attend classes nearby at CSU Spur!

7. Which hobby interests you the most?

  1. Volunteering at animal shelters.
  2. Reading medical journals or science fiction.
  3. Organizing community events and activism campaigns.
  4. Practicing mindfulness, journaling, or creative and personal writing.
  5. Playing sports, yoga, or dancing.

8. If you could establish a health-based holiday, what would you honor?

  1. Animals and their role in human health and happiness.
  2. Healthcare workers who save lives every day.
  3. Clean air, water, and disease prevention.
  4. Mental health awareness.
  5. Physical activity and sports for all ages.

Did you know: Every day is free application day for Colorado residents at CSU.

9. Which natural environment do you think is best for healing?

  1. Forests and wildlife habitats.
  2. Peaceful gardens outside of health centers.
  3. Clean rivers and community-oriented parks.
  4. Meditation rooms or nature trails.
  5. Outdoor fields.

10. Which TV or movie role would you want to define your future career?

  1. A doctor who can talk to and heal animals.
  2. A surgeon who saves lives and discovers new medical breakthroughs.
  3. An explorer who protects ecosystems and prevents dangerous outbreaks.
  4. A visionary who understands emotions and the mysteries of the mind.
  5. A coach who motivates others and builds strong, supportive teams.

Fun fact! CSU is a tier one research institution and a D1 school!

11. Which career seems most appealing to you?

  1. Veterinarian – A doctor who provides medical care for animals.
  2. Doctor, nurse, or surgeon – A professional who treats, heals, and cares for patients.
  3. Public health specialist (epidemiologist) – A scientist who studies diseases and develops ways to prevent them in communities.
  4. Therapist or mental health counselor – A professional who helps people understand emotions and improve mental well-being.
  5. Physical therapist – A health professional who helps people recover from injuries and improve movement.

Did you know? Temple Grandin, the first person with autism to get a Ph. D, is a faculty member at CSU!

End screens for food

A. Design and Merchandising

You got: Design and Merchandising! This major combines creativity and business to design food presentations, products, and events that inspire people. You will learn how to make food visually appealing while understanding consumer needs.

Possible career paths:

  • Product designer
  • Food stylist
  • Event/brand marketing specialist

Learn about the Design and Merchandising program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Department of Art & Creative Media program at CSU Pueblo.

B. Food Science and Human Nutrition

You got: Food Science and Human Nutrition! This major explores how food affects health, from nutrients to disease prevention. You will study biology, chemistry, and health to help people live healthier lives.

Possible career paths:

  • Food scientist
  • Quality control lab manager
  • Nutritionist or dietitian

Learn about the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at CSU Fort Collins.

C. Agricultural Business

You got: Agricultural Business! This major teaches you how to manage and run businesses in farming, food production, and agriculture. You will learn economics, marketing, and management skills to keep food systems running smoothly.

Possible career paths:

  • Farm or ranch manager
  • Landscape contractor
  • Agricultural statistician

Learn about the Agricultural Business program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Business Management program at CSU Global.

D. Food Systems and Sustainability

You got: Food Systems and Sustainability! This major focuses on building fair, eco-friendly, and sustainable food systems for the future. You will study farming, community health, and the environment to make real change.

Possible career paths:

  • Sustainability coordinator
  • Food and agriculture data analyst
  • Urban agriculture planner

Learn about the Food Systems and Sustainability program at CSU Fort Collins.

E. Industrial Hemp Education and Agricultural Research

You got: Industrial Hemp Education and Agricultural Research (InHEAR)! This major explores hemp as a sustainable crop, from farming to history to modern uses. You’ll learn about agriculture, culture, and science through a unique lens.

Possible career paths:

  • Crop production specialist
  • Cultural/environmental writer
  • Product developer

Learn about the Industrial Hemp Education and Agricultural Research program at CSU Pueblo.

End screens for water

A. Watershed Science and Sustainability

You got: Watershed Science and Sustainability! This major focuses on rivers, lakes, and water systems. You will study how water moves through the environment and how to protect it for people and nature.

Possible career paths:

  • Hydrologist
  • Water engineer
  • Environmental scientist

Learn about the Watershed Science and Sustainability program at CSU Fort Collins.

B. Environmental Policy

You got: Environmental Policy! This major is about creating laws, rules, and policies that protect the environment and ensure fair access to resources like clean water.

Possible career paths:

  • Water resource policy maker
  • Environmental lobbyist
  • Climate policy advisor

Learn about the Environmental Policy program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Legal Studies program at CSU Global.

C. Environmental Engineering

You got: Environmental Engineering! This major uses math, science, and technology to design solutions for clean water, air, and safe waste systems. Engineers turn ideas into systems that keep communities healthy.

Possible career paths:

  • Water systems designer
  • Pollution prevention
  • Infrastructure planner

Learn about the Environmental Engineering program at CSU Fort Collins.

D. Biology

You got: Biology! This major explores living organisms from tiny microbes to entire marine ecosystems. You will study how life works and how to protect biodiversity on land and in water.

Possible career paths:

  • Fisheries biologist
  • Conservationist
  • Zookeeper

Learn about the Biology program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Biology program at CSU Pueblo.

E. Environmental Horticulture

You got: Environmental Horticulture! This major focuses on plants, landscapes, and sustainable gardening. You will learn how to design outdoor spaces that save water and help communities thrive.

Possible career paths:

  • Arborist
  • Greenhouse manager
  • Urban garden planner

Learn about the Environmental Horticulture program at CSU Fort Collins.

End screens for health

A. Veterinary

You got: Veterinary Medicine! This major is all about animals from their health, care, and impact on humans. You will learn to diagnose, treat, and protect pets, livestock, and wildlife.

Possible career paths:

  • Veterinarian
  • Animal health technician
  • Wildlife conservation specialist

Learn about the Veterinary program at CSU Fort Collins.

B. Nursing

You got: Nursing! This major prepares you to care for people in hospitals, clinics, and communities. You’ll learn science and compassion to help patients heal.

Possible career paths:

  • Registered nurse
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Medical research assistant

Learn about the Pre-Nursing program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Nursing program at CSU Pueblo.

C. Public Health

You got: Public Health! This major works to keep communities healthy by studying disease, food and water safety, and health education. You will create programs that improve lives worldwide.

Possible career paths:

  • Epidemiologist
  • Community health worker
  • Global health specialist

Learn about the Public Health program at CSU Pueblo.

Learn about the Human Services program at CSU Global.

D. Psychology

You got: Psychology! This major focuses on the human mind and behavior. You will study emotions, mental health, and how people think, learn, and grow.

Possible career paths:

  • Therapist or counselor
  • Case worker
  • Research psychologist

Learn about the Psychology program at CSU Fort Collins.

E. Health & Exercise Science / Kinesiology

You got: Health and Exercise Science! This major studies the science of movement, fitness, and performance. You will learn how exercise improves health, prevents injury, and strengthens communities.

Possible career paths:

  • Physical therapist
  • Athletic trainer
  • Nutrition educator

Learn about the Health and Exercise Science or Kinesiology program at CSU Fort Collins.

Learn about the Health Science & Human Movement program at CSU Pueblo.

CHRIS SHAFFNER

Senior Vice President, Utilities, Supply Chain, and Trade, CoBank

Christopher Shaffner is the senior vice president for the utilities, supply chain and global trade finance divisions, and is a member of the enterprise leadership team of CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses and rural infrastructure providers throughout the United States. Prior to CoBank, Christopher held various leadership positions in both public and private organizations, including executive leadership positions in public housing authorities in Colorado and in New York where he served as the Manhattan Borough Director, leading operations for the New York City Housing Authority during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration. A graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Christopher is also a Finance Leaders Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

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JAMES HENDERSON

Vice President, Colorado Farm Bureau

James Henderson is a 5th generation farmer and rancher. The ranch, located in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, has been in continuous family operation for over 140 years. They raise cattle, oats, barley and other forage crops including alfalfa for use in the dairy industry. Henderson has served as the Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau since 2020 and also serves on several water boards in his community. He is a graduate of the College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. James and his wife Kiley have 6 children.

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EMMA TROLLER

Project Development Manager, Blue Forest

Emma Troller is a Project Development Manager at Blue Forest, a non-profit conservation finance organization. Coming from a background in environmental planning, community engagement, and land conservation, at Blue Forest she is responsible for developing public-private partnerships and conservation finance mechanisms across landownership types to improve ecological resilience and reduce wildfire risk throughout the American West.

In Colorado, she previously spent three years at Palmer Land Conservancy. As the Conservation and Recreation Program Manager, Emma managed conservation easement transactions and built trust with rural landowners to negotiate public access for recreation projects. She currently serves on the board of Rocky Mountain Women’s Film, and previously held board positions at the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance and the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway. Emma holds a Bachelors of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management & Sustainable Ecosystems.

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PETER CULP

Managing Partner, Culp & Kelly, LLP

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Peter is a nationally-recognized Western water law and policy attorney, with nearly 25 years of experience representing and partnering with foundations and NGOs, municipalities, industry, tribal governments, agricultural interests, and investors, including extensive work in the Colorado River Basin. Over the past decade, Peter has also worked extensively on the development and deployment of innovative approaches to conservation finance, and has worked with various partners to create water-related impact investments throughout the Western United States and northern Mexico.

Peter is the managing partner and co-founder of Culp & Kelly, LLP, a mission-driven law and policy firm, as well as its affiliated consulting and project incubation firm, CK Blueshift, LLC. The two firms work as an integrated team to address a range of water, natural resource, and climate resilience challenges, and together support a growing set of innovative enterprises, projects, and restoration efforts throughout the Western United States.

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KATHLEEN GALVIN

University Distinguished Professor, College of Liberal Arts, Colorado State University

Dr. Kathleen Galvin is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Geography and former Director of the Africa Center at Colorado State University. She is also an Advising Faculty member for the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, where she founded the Human-Environment Interactions specialization for graduate students interested in a robust academic background in social-ecological systems.

She has conducted interdisciplinary social-ecological systems research in the drylands of East Africa and East Asia. Galvin has worked with local communities on land-use change, biodiversity conservation, food security, and climate change impacts and adaptation. She uses social-ecological systems frameworks, simulation modeling, and geospatial tools to understand human-environment issues and interactions. Her current research examines local perceptions of climate change and environmental issues, and explores actions to achieve viable solutions in Kenya. Another project focuses on understanding the trade-offs of community-based conservation for people and the environment throughout Africa. She has just completed a NASA grant to understand household decisions, ecosystem change, and atmospheric water recycling in Kenya through modeling for water futures.

She has taken on transdisciplinary science, linking science with society to ensure that her work’s impact goes well beyond the academy. As a lead author of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES, 2019), she was instrumental in linking the science of biodiversity and ecosystem services with diverse governance and knowledge systems worldwide.

She is a Fellow in the Society of Applied Anthropology, a past Fellow in the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, and a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. In 2012, she received the National Sustainability Science award from the Ecological Society of America for her team’s efforts to use their scholarship to collaborate with pastoral communities and policymakers in eastern Africa. In 2017, the College of Liberal Arts awarded her the John N. Stern Distinguished Professor Award, recognizing a career of outstanding research, teaching, and service achievement.

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CHRISTINA SOHN

Senior Associate, Superbloom

Christina has over 9 years of professional experience in bringing landscape projects to life on varied sites: from well-loved public parks, art and science museums, university courtyards, to many-acre, ecologically-sensitive residences. While seeing projects through from concept to construction, Christina places a high priority on the relationship with the client, on meeting project milestones, and on attention to detail. She admires the rugged hardiness of Colorado’s native plants: their ability to thrive in harsh conditions, to sustain wildlife, to embody resilient beauty. When they are authentic to the place, elegant and logical, she believes that the right plants and good design have the ability to lift our spirits. She believes in bringing this beauty to the neglected, in practicing restraint and clarity in design, and in welcoming the rambunctiousness of life, whether in plant or human form.

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BORIS NIKOLAEV

Associate Professor and Tracy Family Faculty Fellow, College of Business, Colorado State University

Boris Nikolaev is an Associate Professor and the Tracy Family Faculty Fellow at the College of Business at Colorado State University. He studies entrepreneurship, well-being, and how emerging technologies are affecting the future of work.

He is also an Editor at Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Foundations and Trends in Entrepreneurship, and an instructor for Statistical Horizons.

His research includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including a dozen articles in premier journals such as JBV, ETP, JAP, SEJ, and JIBS. His work has been featured in the Economist, Forbes, TechCrunch, the Atlantic, and many other media outlets. He has been honored to receive multiple research excellence awards, including the Habicht Early Career Research Award and Business for Better World Research Award.

In the classroom, his passion for innovative teaching has earned recognition from the Academy of Management. He has also received several university-wide teaching awards, including the William H. Fox Teaching Award for Emerging Excellence (Emory University), the N. Preston Davis Award for Instructional Innovation (Colorado State University), the Provost Award for Outstanding Teaching (University of South Florida), and the Innovation in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award (AOM ENT Division).

What drives him? A curiosity about how entrepreneurship shapes our world and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurship scholars. Whether he’s exploring the impact of AI on value creation or investigating the well-being of entrepreneurs, his goal is to produce research that matters and education that inspires.

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ELIZABETH BABCOCK

Executive Director, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

Elizabeth Babcock is the Executive Director for Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency. She has over 20 years of experience managing collaborative and transformational projects. During her 12 years with the City and County of Denver, Elizabeth acted as a leader in the development of Denver’s climate office and created nationally recognized programs under Denver’s Climate Protection Fund. She has managed several multimillion-dollar grants, including the Denver Energy Challenge, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. She also led Denver’s participation in the American Cities Climate Challenge, driving climate action across city government. In previous roles, she worked with universities around the world to advance sustainability and civic engagement through the Talloires Network and community engagement through the Civic Knowledge Project at the University of Chicago. She holds a BA with highest honors from the University of Florida and an MA from the University of Chicago.

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ALEX BUDAK

Professional Faculty, University of California Berkeley

Alex Budak is an educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and author who helps people cultivate courage and turn everyday moments into change. A UC Berkeley faculty member, he holds a triple appointment at the Haas School of Business, School of Public Health, and College of Natural Resources, where his courses teach students and executives to lead with character, connection, and contribution—and have even inspired student tattoos.

His book, Becoming a Changemaker, is being translated into 27 languages. CNBC named it a top-five nonfiction book about work and Inc. named him a top 50 leadership and management expert.

Budak’s change journey began when he co-founded StartSomeGood, which has raised more than $12 million to launch and scale new initiatives in more than 50 countries.

A UCLA and Georgetown graduate, he delivers keynotes on leadership, change, and courage to audiences worldwide, from Ukraine to Cambodia, and regularly leads interactive sessions for organizations such as Accenture, Salesforce, the World Bank, and UNHCR.

Formerly a travel writer, Alex now enjoys the everyday adventures of life with his two young kids—his favorite changemakers. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he brings the same loyalty to his work, though he admits one lesson came the hard way: never go budget skydiving.

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KAREN SCHLATTER

Director, Colorado Water Center

Karen Schlatter was appointed director of the Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University in 2025, after joining the Center as associate director in 2023. Schlatter brings academic, nonprofit, and public sector experience in managing complex water challenges with a deep commitment to building partnerships and the ability to engage in conversations across Colorado’s water community. She joined CSU from the University of Florida Water Institute where her work included facilitating multi-stakeholder/academic teams to achieve shared goals around water management through collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Prior to her role at UF, she served as associate director of the Colorado River Delta Program at the Sonoran Institute, where she focused on building cross-sector and international partnerships to support large-scale ecological restoration, effective binational water management, and community engagement in the Colorado River Delta region. Schlatter earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from McGill University and a Master of Science in environmental studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She served as an agricultural extension volunteer in the Peace Corps in Paraguay.

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LINDSAY ROGERS

Policy Manager for Municipal Conservation, Western Resource Advocates

Lindsay Rogers is the Policy Manager for Municipal Conservation at Western Resource Advocates. Rogers advances water conservation at the municipal level to bolster communities’ water security and reduce pressure on Western rivers and streams. As climate change and population growth further strain Western waterways, she works closely with municipalities, water utilities, partners, and decision makers to improve water efficiency, boost local resilience, and protect rivers. By facilitating local and state-level policy development and providing direct project support, Lindsay helps communities and utilities pursue innovative and tailored water-saving strategies such as graywater ordinances, waterwise landscaping policies, and better integrated water and land-use planning. Previously, she spent five years as the Colorado Basin Program Manager at WaterNow Alliance, focused on advancing sustainable water policies and programs in the West by working directly with municipal water decision makers. Lindsay serves on the board of Colorado WaterWise. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and International Relations from Tufts University and is pursuing an MPA from CU Denver.

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JARED ROMERO

Program Officer in the Environment Program, Walton Family Foundation

Jared Romero, Ph.D., is a Program Officer in the Environment Program at the Walton Family Foundation, where he works to advance conservation solutions in the Colorado River Basin. His career bridges science, education, and conservation leadership, shaped by a lifelong connection to the outdoors and a belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Jared previously served as Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, where he built coalitions to expand equity in outdoor recreation and conservation policy. Earlier in his career, he held academic and research leadership roles at Boise State University and Adams State University, spearheading the development of One Health programs connecting human, animal, and environmental health.

He has been recognized as a Colorado Water Hero, served on boards for national and regional conservation organizations, and is known for creating inclusive spaces that elevate underrepresented voices in conservation. Jared holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees in natural and biological sciences.

Grounded in humility and service, Jared sees the outdoors as both refuge and responsibility. The outdoors are a place that inspires his work to ensure future generations have access to healthy lands and waters.

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JULIE DAVIES O’SHEA

Executive Director, Farmers Conservation Alliance

Julie Davies O’Shea has guided FCA through two decades of growth, positioning the organization as a national leader in irrigation modernization. As a founder and executive director of Farmers Conservation Alliance, Julie’s expertise begins with her ability to foster relationships with key partners in irrigation across the West. Under her leadership, FCA has partnered with 55 irrigation communities to implement projects that improve agricultural efficiency, increase water reliability, and deliver lasting environmental and community benefits.

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GIGI KARMOUS-EDWARDS

CEO, Karmous Edwards Consulting

Over the course of more than 25 years, Gigi Karmous-Edwards has worked in various domains of digital technologies, spanning the Data Communications industry, Academia, and most recently, dedicating the last 13 years to the Water Sector. Gigi is the technical lead and Co-PI of a GenAI WRF #5321 (GenAI for the Global Water Sector) project. Gigi is the founder and former chair of the SWAN Digital Twin H2O Work Group, leads AI market insights at BlueTech Research as a Technology Advisor Group (TAG) member, and serves on the Advisory Boards of Veralto and Qatium.

Gigi has authored over 40 publications and frequently speaks at global conferences. As the CEO of Karmous-Edwards Consulting, she advises global utilities and technology companies on digital transformation and GenAI. B.S. in Chemical Eng and M.S. Electrical Eng.

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MARA WALLER

Senior Research Scholar, College of Business, Colorado State University

Mary (“Mara”) J. Waller, Ph.D., is a leading authority on team dynamics and crisis management. A professor of organizational behavior, her work focuses on how teams adapt, coordinate, and make decisions under conditions of uncertainty and high risk. Over the course of her career, Dr. Waller has authored numerous articles and books that bridge rigorous research with real-world application. Her latest book, Crisis-Ready Teams, provides evidence-based strategies for preparing teams to navigate disruption and perform effectively under pressure.

Dr. Waller is a sought-after speaker and consultant who has worked with organizations across industries, helping leaders strengthen team resilience and improve performance in turbulent environments. Her expertise has been featured in academic, business, and media outlets worldwide. With a reputation for making complex research both engaging and actionable, she brings practical insights to audiences ranging from executives and policymakers to educators and students.

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TOM VILSACK

Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation

Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, will become the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack will focus on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.

In 1998, he became the first Democrat to be elected as the Governor of Iowa in more than 30 years. During his two terms as Governor, he created an $800 million, 10-year economic development incentive program—the Iowa Values Fund. His administration worked with schools, medical providers, businesses, faith-based organizations and other entities to expand healthcare coverage to more than 90,000 previously uninsured children.

He became the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture, from 2008-2017 and 2021-2025, respectively. Only five people in U.S. history have served in the Cabinet longer, and during his tenures, the United States Department of Agriculture set records for U.S. agricultural exports and provided food assistance to millions of Americans. He helped expand food and nutrition access through summer feeding programs for children and additional support for fruit and vegetable purchases through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. As Secretary, he worked to develop new and superior markets for small and mid-sized farms, allowing those operations to remain viable and in turn, strengthening and growing rural communities.

Governor Vilsack has long been connected to the World Food Prize Foundation, having served on both the Council of Advisors and the Board of Directors. His insights and acumen were vital in shaping our mission and initiatives. His leadership and experience will be instrumental in expanding the Foundation’s international reach and continuing the mission of elevating innovations and inspiring action to sustainably increase the quality, quantity and availability of food for all.

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KATE WATKINS

Colorado State Demographer

Kate Watkins is Colorado’s State Demographer. She leads the State Demography Office within the Department of Local Affairs. The State Demography Office produces population and economic estimates and forecasts for use by the business community, nonprofits, and state and local governments. Kate has nearly two decades of experience analyzing economic and demographic trends in Colorado and beyond. Her career history includes serving as the Chief Economist for Colorado’s state legislature, as an economist at the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and as a private sector consultant. Kate holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University.

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TONY FRANK

Chancellor, CSU System

Dr. Tony Frank is the Chancellor of the CSU System. He previously served for 11 years as the 14th president of CSU in Fort Collins. Dr. Frank earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wartburg College, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. and residencies in pathology and toxicology at Purdue. Prior to his appointment as CSU’s president in 2008, he served as the University’s provost and executive vice president, vice president for research, chairman of the Pathology Department, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He was appointed to a dual role as Chancellor in 2015 and became full-time System chancellor in July 2019.

Dr. Frank serves on a number of state and national boards, has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, and has been honored with state and national awards for his leadership in higher education.

Dr. Frank and his wife, Dr. Patti Helper, have three daughters.

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CSU Spur is turning 2! Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.

It’s our anniversary!

It’s our anniversary! CSU Spur has been fully open to the public, sharing hands-on, family-friendly activities around food, water, and health for two years. Join us on Saturday, Jan. 11, for 2nd Saturday activities, including desserts, a mariachi performance, face painters, horses on treadmills, veterinarians in surgery, scientists in labs, and more. The celebration is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and CSU Spur will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; no registration required, all public activities are free.

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is presented by Canvas Credit Union.

We’ll see you Saturday!

2nd Saturday at CSU Spur is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday (Dec. 13), and this month is a winter festival. Celebrate the season with a holiday market featuring local vendors and unique gifts, warm treats, winter crafts, and a joyful community atmosphere.

Explore 2nd Saturday activities