CCHE Programs of Excellence - Colorado State University Designated Programs

Statutory Background: In 1988, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) was directed by the Colorado General Assembly to develop and employ criteria (quality indicators of excellence) for identifying programs of excellence in state-supported higher education institutions. This resulted in the establishment of the State of Colorados highest recognition for higher education: the CCHE Programs of Excellence. Following round two of this program, the General Assembly amended the statute (23-1-118) to clarify that the award is exclusively for academic programs.

Program Overview: The CCHE annually invites the governing boards of Colorado's public institutions of higher education to nominate a specified number of exceptional academic programs for recognition and funding to take these programs to the next level of excellence. These programs may consist of a single academic program, an inter-institutional consortium of programs, or an interdisciplinary coalition of academic programs within a single institution. All programs demonstrate long-term commitment to excellence and achievement of outstanding performance records. Designation as a CCHE Program of Excellence is a lifetime honor.

CSU Procedure for Nominations: Upon receipt of the CCHE Request for Proposals, the Council of Deans is asked to nominate candidate programs before the end of June every year. These programs are then contacted by the Office of Sponsored Research and invited to prepare draft proposals by early October. The Provost and Vice President for Research & Information Technology review these drafts and offer comments to the proposers. Final proposals are forwarded to the Colorado State University System for approval by the State Board of Agriculture in December and submission to CCHE.

CSU Outcomes: We are proud of the level of recognition Colorado State University's programs are receiving as CCHE Programs of Excellence. This success is a quantitative outcome of the University's commitment to performance with excellence in the fulfillment of its land-grant teaching, research and scholarly activity, and outreach missions.

As of November 1998, 10 Colorado State programs have been designated as CCHE Programs of Excellence (year of designation)

  • Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory (1989-90)
  • Department of Chemistry (1990-91)
  • Water Resources Education (1990-91)
  • Colorado Space Grant Consortium (1990-91)
  • Optoelectronics Computing Systems Center (1991-92)
  • Center for Research on Writing & Communication Technologies (1992-93)
  • Project PROMISE (1992-93)
  • Center for Biomedical Research in Music (1995-96)
  • Professional Veterinary Medicine (1996-97)
  • Counseling Psychology Program and the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research (1997-98)

Brief descriptions of these programs follow, along with contact information and links to program-specific WWW-pages.

  • Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory (ARBL) - http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/bms/ARBL/index.htm
    Gordon D. Niswender, Director

    The Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory (ARBL) is an integral part of the Department of Physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The faculty, students and staff of the ARBL are devoted to the solution of important problems in animal production and human health. Much of the research conducted has a major goal of applying knowledge and insights from basic science to real world problems. Faculty of the ARBL have a major role in teaching reproductive biology, endocrinology, molecular biology and general physiology to undergraduate and graduate students, and in the professional veterinary medical curriculum, which is another CCHE Program of Excellence. The ARBL is well known for its short courses and continuing education classes, which currently focus on equine reproduction.  ARBL has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://web.research.colostate.edu/osp/).

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Gordon D. Niswender
    Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory
    Foothills Campus
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1683
    Phone: 970-491-3456
    FAX: 970-491-3557
    E-mail: arbl@cvmbs.colostate.edu

  • Center for Biomedical Research in Music
    Michael H. Thaut, Director

    The Center for Biomedical Research in Music (CBRM) combines the arts and sciences in an interdisciplinary facility that takes an international leadership role in biomedical research in music and medicine with a special emphasis on neurorehabilitation. CBRM has had a significant impact on enrollment growth and the quality of professional preparation of music therapy majors at Colorado State University. CCHE Program of Excellence funding has enhanced the educational component of CBRM through a new laboratory practicum sequence and funding of a scholarship program to facilitate substantive involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in the Center's activities. CBRM has conducted breakthrough research in auditory-motor interactions related to understanding basic physiological mechanisms as well as their application to rehabilitating motor functions in stroke and Parkinson's Disease patients. Co-sponsorship is also provided by Poudre Valley Hospital, the largest health care provider in Northern Colorado.

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Michael H. Thaut
    Center for Biomedical Research in Music
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778
    Phone: 970/491-7384
    FAX: 970/491-7541
    E-mail: mthaut@lamar.colostate.edu

  • Center for Research on Writing & Communication Technologies (CRWCT) - WWW - page anticipated in December 1998
    Michael E. Palmquist and Donald E. Zimmerman, Co-Directors

    The Center for Research on Writing & Communication Technologies investigates the impact of communication technologies in particular emerging technologies on instructional issues (with emphasis on writing instruction, speaking instruction, junior college outreach and University/K-12 partnerships) and professional issues (with emphasis on workplace communication practices, science/environmental communication, health communication, communication and technology transfer). CRWCT has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://www.research.colostate.edu/prse/).

    Mailing address:
    Michael E. Palmquist
    Department of English
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1773
    Phone: 970/491-7253
    FAX: 970/491-5601
    E-mail: mpalmquist@vines.colostate.edu

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Donald E. Zimmerman
    Department of Journalism & Technical Communication
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
    Phone: 970/491-5674
    FAX: 970/491-2908
    E-mail: dzimmerman@vines.colostate.edu

  • Colorado Space Grant Consortium (CSGC)- http://calspace.ucsd.edu/spacegrant/
    Designation received under the leadership of the late Willie S. Sadeh, Director, CEISS
    Marvin E. Criswell, Interim Director, Colorado Space Grant Consortium

    The National Space Grant College & Fellowship Program was established by Congress in 1988 and implemented by NASA in 1989. The program funds research, education, and public service projects through a national network of 52 university-based Space Grant consortia in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The Colorado Space Grant Consortium is committed to strengthening the educational base for science, math, and technology and attracting students of all backgrounds into these programs. The CSGC is now composed of 14 member institutions, including Colorado State University, its fellow CSU System institutions (University of Southern Colorado and Fort Lewis College), Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado at Boulder (lead institution) and Colorado Springs, Mesa State College, University of Northern Colorado, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The CSGC uses innovative and exciting community outreach programs to extend space education to public, primary and secondary students throughout Colorado. It also provides opportunities for Space Grant students to interact with state, local, and federal governments, and industrial partners. CSGS research and teaching programs build upon the various space programs at the University of Colorado and Colorado State University.

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Marvin E. Criswell
    Department of Civil Engineering
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1372
    Phone: 970/491-5048 or 6697
    FAX: 970/491-7727
    E-mail:mcriswel@engr.colostate.edu

    Counseling Psychology Program and the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research - http://triethniccenter.colostate.edu/
    Scott B. Hamilton, Coordinator

    The Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology at CSU is the only PhD-granting counseling program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) among the state-supported universities in Colorado. The Program is based on the scientist-practitioner model of training with the goal of producing graduates who are capable of advancing psychology as a science and who are proficient in the use of empirically-validated assessment and counseling strategies. The Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research seeks to understand and prevent substance abuse and related problems (school dropout, delinquency, violence, deviance, and victimization) among minority youth. The goals of the Center are to develop knowledge, create and test theories, translate theory into social action programs, and to evaluate the impact of intervention programs. The Counseling Program and the Tri-Ethnic Center are inexorably linked through shared faculty, research/training missions, and program administration, and place emphasis on the expansion and strengthening of available training opportunities. The CCHE Program of Excellence Award provides funding for instructional technology, a Health Care Colloquium and Workshop Series, and graduate student training in health care environments. The Tri-Ethnic Center has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://www.research.colostate.edu/prse/).

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Scott B. Hamilton
    Department of Psychology
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1876
    Phone: 970/491-2412
    FAX: 970/491-1032
    sham@lamar.colostate.edu

  • Department of Chemistry - http://www.chm.colostate.edu
    Oren P. Anderson, Chair

    The Department of Chemistry is recognized nationally and internationally for the excellence of its undergraduate and graduate education programs and research accomplishments. Much of the research in the Department of Chemistry crosses traditional divisional boundaries (analytical, materials, physical, theoretical, bioinorganic, bioorganic, organic and inorganic chemistry, catalysis, laser spectroscopy, and synthesis), and encourages hands-on opportunities for students building upon a sound background of established science while exploring, discovering and applying new knowledge. The undergraduate educational program has been tailored to provide students with personal guidance in preparation for their specific post-graduate goals. The Department of Chemistry has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://www.research.colostate.edu/prse/).

    Mailing address
    Dr. Oren P. Anderson
    Department of Chemistry
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1872
    Phone: 970-491-6381
    FAX: 970-491-1801
    E-mail: opa@lamar.colostate.edu

  • Optoelectronics Computing Systems Center (OCS) - http://www.engr.colostate.edu/depts/ee/research/optical/intro/intro.html
    Carl W. Wilmsen, Associate Director

    Joint award to Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder (lead institution). The Center conducts optoelectronic materials and device research , undergraduate and graduate education, and outreach, and has been further recognized as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center. NSF also funds an OCS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) 9-week summer program that provides opportunities for students to experience systems-level research working in teams with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students at the Center's two locations, the University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University. The OCS has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://www.research.colostate.edu/prse/).

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Carl W. Wilmsen
    Optoelectronics Computing Systems Center
    Department of Electrical Engineering
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1373
    Phone: 970/491-7301
    FAX: 970/491-2249
    E-mail: wilmsen@engr.colostate.edu

  • Professional Veterinary Medicine - http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/cvmbs/pvmpro.htm
    James L. Voss, Dean

    The Professional Veterinary Medicine curriculum is a four-year program leading to the doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree. The objective of the curriculum is to provide a broad education in veterinary medicine which will permit graduates to enter a wide variety of professional careers. The prescribed curriculum ensures exposure to the major areas of veterinary practice, to clinical specialties, and to the basic biomedical sciences.

    Mailing address:
    Dr. James L. Voss
    College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1601
    Phone: (970) 491-7052
    FAX:(970) 491-2250
    E-mail: info@cvmbs.colostate.edu

  • Project PROMISE
    Designation received under leadership of Robert W. Richburg, then-Director
    Dr. Barbara McWhorter, Director
    Angie Paccione, Associate Director

    Project PROMISE (PROfessionals with a MISsion in Education) began in 1988 as an experimental teacher preparation program in the School of Education at Colorado State University Its mission is to improve public education by recruiting, preparing, and participating in the on-going professional development of exceptionally high caliber secondary teachers. Project PROMISE is the only teacher education program to have received this designation. In addition to admitting 20 students each year who have demonstrated success in other occupations and have chosen to make a career change, the program assists other public institutions with implementing similar models.

    Mailing address:
    Project PROMISE
    School of Education
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-1588
    Phone: (970) 491-1843
    FAX: 970/491-1317
    E-mail: paccione@lamar.colostate.edu

  • Water Resources Education - Information about this program is available through the Water Center - http://watercenter.colostate.edu
    Designation received under the leadership of Neil S. Grigg, former Director, CWRRI, now Head, Department of Civil Engineering
    Robert C. Ward, Director, The Water Center

    With increasing recognition of the interdisciplinary character of water issues and opportunities, Colorado State has placed its water programs under the umbrella of the Water Center. The Center provides a philosophy, a structure, and support for enabling the University's water experts to work together in teaching, conducting research, and working with the public on the common concern of how to best manage water for the world's needs in an environmentally responsible manner. The Water Center has also been designated a University Program of Research & Scholarly Excellence (PRSE under construction at http://www.research.colostate.edu/prse/).

    Mailing address:
    Dr. Robert C. Ward
    Water Center
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523-2033
    Phone: 970/491-6308
    FAX: 970/491-2293
    E-mail: cwrri@colostate.edu

Pending approval of the SBA, Colorado State University has nominated the following programs as candidates for designation as CCHE Programs of Excellence in 1998-99. CCHE review will take place early on calendar year 1999, and results announced as soon as known.

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Fort Collins, Colorado 80523