Outreach and Student Support

CMDI partners with other higher education institutions, K-12 schools, and community organizations to build a college that is more diverse and inclusive. If you are part of an organization interested in collaborating, contact a member of our teamand share your ideas! Here are some examples of outreach initiatives already underway.

Pathways to Excellence in CMDI is a summer bridge program designed to introduce students to the seven distinct majors within the College of Media, Communication and Information (CMDI) at CU Boulder. These majors include communication, media production (in the Department of Critical Media Practices), environmental design, information science, journalism, media studies and strategic communication (in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Design).

This program is specifically geared toward students who are first-generation, low-income, rural and in-state residents. All CU Boulder CMDI applicants will be considered for Pathways to Excellence in CMDI.

The program is inclusive and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, in compliance with state, federal, and Regent law.

The Pathways program manager will work with Shelby Javernick, CMDI director of student recruitment and outreach, and the Office of Enrollment Management. All students must complete an application to be considered for acceptance into the program. Pathways to Excellence in CMDI runs from June 14-26, 2026, and offers participants a unique opportunity to explore courses across all seven CMDI departments. Throughout the program, students will also have the chance to meet alumni, engage with CMDI faculty, staff and peers, and tap into the many resources available within the college.

The Pathways program manager will provide ongoing support and mentorship throughout the first semester and beyond, helping students navigate their academic journey at CU Boulder.

  • CMDI Summer Academy is geared toward Colorado Front Range high school sophomores and juniors who are interested in learning more about what a college experience is inmedia, communication, information science and architectural design. These students, should they decide to attend college, may be first-generation college students and attend a local Front Range high school in Colorado. CMDI Summer Academy does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, political philosophy, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in accordance with state, federal and Regent law.
  • Pathways Scholars in CMDI
    Pathways Scholars and Environmental Design Diverse Scholars (EDDS) are part of the CU LEAD Alliance and 15 vibrant academic learning communities across campus. They facilitate access to networking opportunities with faculty and staff. The CU LEAD (Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, Diversity) “academic neighborhoods” build togethernessand promote student success during their first year and beyond. Resources include scholarship opportunities, academic enrichment activities and community-building opportunities. For more information, contact Dave Martinez.

Summer Partnerships

  • Fundamentals in CMDI is a course that introduces high school students to CMDI majors and programs, in association with CU’s Precollegiate Development Program (PCDP). PCDP is an institutionally funded academic enhancement program serving first-generation students and families from targeted middle and high schools. It is designed to motivate and prepare first-generation students in pursuit of post-secondary education.

Community Outreach and Undergraduate Recruitment
Shelby Javernick, CMDI's recruitment and outreach director, andDavid Martinez, CMDI's coordinator of inclusive excellence and outreach, work closely with high schools in the Denver metro area as well assurrounding citiesand rural communities. CMDI staff and students also visit national high schools. Most recently, the college is launching “Home for the Holidays,” a program where CMDI students visit their own high schools to promote CMDI in partnership with our recruitment efforts.

If you are interested in working with CMDI on recruitment,please contact us.