Spring Courses

Transition Seminar is designed to help you transition smoothly into college, adjust gradually to the demands and rigor of the university life, stay in college, and succeed, not only in college, but as you transition into a career field. As we approach our topic from many vantage points and speakers' varied expertise and experiences, the emphasis is on holistic learning about higher education and UCCS.

*MONDAY: 5PM - 7:35 PM / Section 001 / Instructors: Lisa Buckman, Derrell Stinson (*This class meets at Fort Carson: For more information about this course please e-mail Derrell Stinson at dstinson@uccs.edu

WEDNESDAY: 10:50 AM - 1:30 PM / Section 002 / Instructors: Michael Hamilton, Lisa Buckman

Learn the impacts of recreation on your personal wellness, mind, and body. Participants will delve into the many facets of indoor and outdoor recreation and learn the benefits of having a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle.

WEDNESDAY: 10:50AM - 1:30 PM / Section 001 / Instructor: Chris Ertman

College: a vastly different experience than what most people imagine. This one-credit course will offer you the opportunity to take stock of your academic skills while investigating your past/present strengths and challenges. With the support of your instructor, you will discover tools and resources that can pave the way for your college success

TUESDAY: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM / Section 001 / Instructor: Staff

TUESDAY: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM / Section 002 / Instructor: Lori Salgado

WEDNESDAY: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM / Section 003 / Instructor: Staff

In this course you will learn what it means to be a student at UCCS and how to be academically, personally, and professionally successful. You will learn more about yourself to create a meaningful life and a meaningful experience while at UCCS. you will be engaged in a series of assessments and activities over the course of the semester so that, by the end of the semester, you'll be able to answer the questions: "who am I," "where do I come from," "where do I want to go," "what do I want to do," "what is my purpose," and "what is a meaningful life?"

THURSDAY: 10:50AM - 1:30 PM / Section 003 / Instructors: Amanda Garcia, Heather Garner

This course is designed to provide students with taking academic skills and transferring them to a workplace environment. Students will meet, both face-to-face and online, in a unique setting that will instruct them on becoming a learner, at campus and in the workplace and students will gain experience on what potential employers “want,” from college students. The course will cover emerging trends in the workplace and focus on the transfer of academic skills, with lectures from visiting faculty, area businesses, and potential employers.

MONDAY: 4:45 PM - 7:20 PM / Section 005 / Instructors: Sean Swallen

Explore the intersection of Nursing and the transition into college life at UCCS. Join us as we learn about the healthcare field with guest speakers, a tour of the Simulation center, and the UCCS cadaver lab! A small snapshot into the skills you’ll gain include: self-care, time management, responding to patients emotional and psychological needs and teamwork!

WEDNESDAY: 1:40 PM- 4:20 PM / Section 008 / Instructors: David Nguyen, Debi O'Connor 

Meta Major: STEM is for students interested in science, engineering, or technology, whose goal is to enter the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences or another science discipline. This course helps you to develop the pieces of the puzzle in order to build the skills you need to succeed in future coursework. We will help you succeed in making your personal and professional dreams a reality!

FRIDAY: 10:50 AM- 1:30 PM / Section 014 / Instructors: Terry Geiger, Dan Deon

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!

Looking for something to do this weekend? How about a trip with friends next summer? This course will explore fun things to do in Colorado Springs, but also along the Front Range corridor of Colorado. This area has so much to offer, from hiking, biking, camping and white water rafting to museums, art galleries, amusement parks and entertaining festivals. This class will explore things to do with friends, family or even by yourself. Through research opportunities, group activities, service learning projects and sharing personal experiences, you will discover how to LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!

ONLINE / Section OL1 / Instructor: Rhea Taylor

ONLINE / Section OL2 / Instructor: Katherine Pittman

College: a vastly different experience than what most people imagine. This one-credit course will offer you the opportunity to take stock of your academic skills while investigating your past/present strengths and challenges. With the support of your instructor, you will discover tools and resources that can pave the way for your college success.

ONLINE / Section OL1 /  Instructor: Katherine Pittman

Each semester is a new opportunity to explore more about yourself through the college journey. Test-taking tips, new study skills, best practices for reading, effective goal-setting and more, you will have a chance to apply these skills in this class and later in your college career! Your instructor will serve as your coach through the process, and you’ll be able to discover new and practical ways to navigate college.

ONLINE / Section OL2 / Instructor: Katherine Pittman

Death…it is the one guarantee given to the living, but the rituals, myths, and practices inspired by death vary drastically depending upon culture, time, and beliefs. A historical and cultural perspective of various death practices, beliefs, and rituals around the globe will enlighten perspectives about death and how the living cope with death. How did these rituals evolve over time and how did they reflect the culture, society, and historical time period? What rituals and practices are still occurring and how are they reflected in popular media?

ONLINE / Section OL3 / Instructor: Sydney Pearson

Transition Seminar is designed to help you transition smoothly into college, adjust gradually to the demands and rigor of the university life, stay in college, and succeed, not only in college, but as you transition into a career field. As we approach our topic from many vantage points and speakers' varied expertise and experiences, the emphasis is on holistic learning about higher education and UCCS.

ONLINE / Section OL1 / Instructors: Rhea Taylor 

Starting college is the beginning of a new adventure for you and those around you. The Gateway Program Seminar’s aim is to help prepare you for some expectations that this new adventure will have for you so that you can be as successful in achieving your objectives as possible. This course’s theme is a metaphor we are using to help you discover the possibilities and opportunities of an as yet unexplored territory called “college.” This includes preparing for this new experience by gathering some new tools such as the technologies you’ll need and learning about the requirements of the course. Then you’ll start practicing for your adventure by plotting your path forward at UCCS: you will establish personal and academic goals and find the people that you’ll need to help you throughout your time at UCCS. Finally, you’ll explore the wilderness! You’ll locate a place that’s new to you (a hike, a museum, a local spot) and use all of your new skills, tools, and resources to craft a researched paper and reflective presentation.

*ONLINE/ Section OL4 / Instructor: Leslie Rapparlie

This class is a late start course that begins 03/14/2022 and ends 05/13/2022

Riddle me this: Do you have a brain or are you a brain? Let’s say you have brain transplant with your BFF. Now your brain is in their body and vice versa. Which person is the real you? Your brain with a different person’s body or your body with a different brain? Did you figure it out or did I just blow your mind?? This course is designed to get you thinking. From demystifying optical illusions to navigating the hidden curriculum in college, this life kit course will inspire you to think outside the box and towards your future! So, are you ready for some Brain Games?

ONLINE / Section OL5 / Instructors: Sarah Long

Join us for a journey where we will examine the concepts, principles and operations of business. We will explore how business strategies can help you explore, navigate, and develop a success collegiate experience through the UCCS College of Business and beyond. Additionally, the Finding Your Way component of the course will incorporate intentional career exploration activities to help you truly discover or reconfirm your area of academic emphasis, major, or career goals. Making choices about the future is challenging and our goal is to provide you with effective support that honors your personal and professional goals.

WEDNESDAY: 1:40 PM- 4:20 PM / 03.14.23 - 05.13.23 / Section 011 / Instructor: Zachary Barker

Looking to get ahead? Looking for a 3-credit course taken in the span of one week? If so, Head Start is for you! This intensive in-person course is designed for students looking to complete GPS in one week before the regular semester begins. Students will learn all about the expectations and rigors of higher education, build community with their peers, practice important academic skills, get connected with resources across campus, and prepare for success at UCCS. 

MONDAY-FRIDAY / 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM /1.09.23 - 1.13.23 / Section 012 / Instructors: Omar Montoya; Michelle Brown