Sesquicentennial Scholars

Sesquicentennial Scholars

The Sesquicentennial Scholars honor our institution’s 150th anniversary by supporting exceptional student leaders who demonstrate academic excellence, community engagement and a commitment to positive impact. The program provides financial support, along with leadership and professional development opportunities, to a cohort of scholars during our sesquicentennial year.

Scholars will complete a signature project or experience, a self-designed experiential learning opportunity that supports their personal and professional growth. These projects are intended to provide hands-on, meaningful learning experiences and help build lasting connections at 鶹ѰBoulder and beyond.

Each funded project will have a faculty or staff advisor and can be an experience in one of the following five categories.

Creative and Artistic Endeavor

Exposure to the arts and opportunities for creative expression are essential to personal development and community engagement. These projects allow scholars to cultivate and deepen their creative and artistic passions.

An example of a creative artistic endeavor could be creating a campus mural that highlights the student experience or offers a unique perspective on student life at 鶹ѰBoulder. This project would include developing the design, gathering input from peers or campus partners and completing the installation.

Education Abroad

Global education experiences foster intercultural learning and broaden students’ academic and personal perspectives. Studying abroad can cultivate critical thinking skills, global awareness and transformative viewpoints about the world.

An example of an education abroad experience could be participating in a faculty‑led study abroad program or semester exchange that deepens a student’s understanding of global cultures and academic perspectives. Award funds could support program fees, travel costs or related expenses.

Participation in programs will be verified with 鶹ѰBoulder Education Abroad.

Internship

Internships help students gain practical skills that prepare them for future professional endeavors. Successful internships offer insight into potential career paths, spark academic and professional interests and build confidence for post-graduation plans.

An example of an internship experience could include completing an unpaid internship aligned with a student’s academic interests or career goals. Award funds could help offset living expenses, transportation or professional costs associated with the internship.

Internships must be verified through our 鶹ѰBoulder Career Services team.

Service-Learning

Service-learning goes beyond performing direct service. These projects challenge students to explore underlying societal issues—such as root causes, policies and community dynamics—while partnering with a community, nonprofit or organization to address an identified need. Scholars reflect on how their service connects to a broader impact.

An example of a service‑learning experience could include participating in Sko Serve Alternative Break through a partnership with Service Learning & Impact in Community Engagement (SLICE). In these experiences, a scholar would work alongside a community organization to address an identified need while engaging in structured reflection before, during and after the service. Award funds could support transportation or participation costs.

Programs should be consulted through SLICE.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research may be conducted in any field of study and provides opportunities for inquiry, discovery and mentorship with faculty or research teams.

An example of an undergraduate research experience could involve working with a staff/faculty or research teams mentor on a research project in the student’s field of study. Award funds could support research materials, conference travel, data collection or other project‑related expenses.

Scholarship Overview

The program aims to:

  • Honor students whose achievements and aspirations reflect the creed of our university.
  • Support scholars as they engage deeply in high-impact practices that shape their academic journeys and future careers.
  • Provide targeted leadership training, mentorship and opportunities to represent the university at signature events.
  • Strengthen a diverse, interconnected community of student leaders prepared to make meaningful and lasting contributions locally and globally.

Scholars will receive a financial award between $1,500 and $3,000 and will participate in a structured leadership development and engagement plan throughout the award year.

The program includes the following:

  • Scholars must complete a two-hour orientation.
  • Completing a signature project.
  • One professional development opportunity connected to the 鶹ѰBeyond 1 program during the 2026–27 academic year to support their overall growth.
  • A final reflection detailing the overall experience, skills gained and the impact on your academic and/or campus community. This may include, but is not limited to a poster presentation, a reflection paper, presentation or final artistic project.

*Financial payments are considered "Other Financial Aid (OFA)" and must be reported to Financial Aid accordingly. Financial Aid assesses all forms of financial aid, including OFA, when determining a student's eligibility for financial assistance at 鶹ѰBoulder. Student hourly wages and expenses incurred directly by the university (e.g. such as travel costs, required equipment and other support materials/supplies) are exempt.

Timeline

  • Feb. 23: Application opens
  • March 23, 9 a.m.: Application closes
  • Late-April: Awardees notified

Experiential Learning Opportunity

Faculty and staff are invited to share internships, undergraduate research roles, project-based experiences, service-learning placements or other hands-on opportunities for scholars. Opportunities within your department/area help ensure every scholar has meaningful options aligned with their interests, strengths and goals.

FAQs

The program celebrates 鶹ѰBoulder’s 150th anniversary by recognizing student leaders and supporting their engagement in high‑impact learning experiences.

Eligible students must be enrolled during the 2026–27 academic year and must have completed at least one semester at 鶹ѰBoulder by May 2026. Applicants should also demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and meaningful involvement on campus or in their communities.

Signature projects must be self‑designed experiential learning opportunities that fall within one of the five program categories: Creative and Artistic Endeavor, Education Abroad, Internship, Service-Learning or Undergraduate Research.

Scholars will receive a financial award between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the financial request and the scope of their proposed experience.

Funds may support expenses directly connected to your experiential learning project—such as travel, materials, program fees, research supplies, conference registration, supplementing income or other approved costs necessary to complete the project.

No. If you do not yet have a finalized plan, you may describe the types of experiences you hope to pursue and why you would be a strong candidate. Selected Sesquicentennial Scholars will be paired with 鶹ѰBoulder staff members to finalize plans and experiences and may serve as mentors.

Yes, having a full-time staff or faculty mentor is required as they can provide valuable guidance and connections while completing your project. You do not need a finalized mentor by the submission date, but prior to beginning your signature project. Staff on the Sesquicentennial Scholars committee can help identify mentors.

Yes. Scholars are required to complete an orientation, one professional development experience connected to the 鶹ѰBeyond 1 program, and final reflection during the 2026–27 school year.

All funded opportunities must be completed by March 2027.

Applications will be reviewed based on clarity of goals, alignment with high‑impact initiatives, demonstrated leadership and engagement, feasibility of the proposed plan and potential for personal and academic growth.

Yes. You may reference more than one category if your project spans multiple areas. Select the category that best represents the core of your experience.

Questions?

If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the Division of Student Life by emailing studentlife@colorado.edu or calling303-492-9048 on M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. MT.