What makes UCCS truly distinctive? That’s the question at the heart of the UCCS Differentiator Project, and we want to hear your voice.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives is hosting Focus Groups through October 3 to gather insights from students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and community partners. These sessions are designed to explore what sets UCCS apart and how we can better communicate our unique strengths and values.
Whether you’re deeply engaged in student success, academic research, connected to our community, or simply passionate about the UCCS experience, your perspective matters.
What Is a Differentiator?
A differentiator is the reason students, families, and community partners choose UCCS over other institutions. It must be:
– Relevant – speaking directly to the needs, challenges, and goals of our community.
– Unique and hard to replicate – reflecting strengths that are distinctive to UCCS.
– Broadly impactful – shaping the core experiences of most students and stakeholders.
– Provable – backed by real outcomes, student success stories, community impact, and recognition.
Your insights will help us determine which potential differentiator best reflects UCCS’s identity, strengths, and future direction. Together, we’ll explore what makes UCCS stand out, and how we can communicate that powerfully to the world.
Focus Group Details:
Dates: September 22 – October 3
Format: In-person and virtual options available
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Populations: Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Donors, Community Partners
Why Participate?
By joining a focus group, you’ll contribute to a collective effort to define UCCS’s unique value. We’re especially seeking voices from across campus and the community—including those who challenge conventional thinking—to ensure a broad and representative perspective.
How to Get Involved:
Complete the Focus Group Registration form here.
– Students: Virtual session on September 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. and in-person session on September 29 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
– Faculty: Both sessions are in-person on September 25 from 2:30-4 p.m. and October 1 from noon-1:30 p.m.
– Staff: Virtual session on September 29 from 3-4:30 p.m. (In-person session has already been held)
– Community Partners, Alumni & Donors only: Complete the Differentiator Focus Group Action Survey
Let’s work together to shape the future of UCCS. Your voice is essential in this conversation.