Skip to main
Ram Scholars

About Us

RAM Scholars is a new career skills program at Colorado State University in partnership with the College of Agriculture Sciences, the Prevention Research Center, and the Center for Community Partnerships.

Program Overview

RAM Scholars is a post-secondary program at Colorado State University for adults with an intellectual disability. Scholars enroll in 2-3 classes in the fall and spring semesters and learn side-by-side with CSU peers to develop career skills. They receive peer mentoring from students in the College of Health and Human Sciences and the College of Agriculture.

The current course of study for RAM Scholars focuses on specialized skills in the field of agriculture and related STEM fields. Scholars enroll in CSU courses and have classroom experiences. Scholars also enroll in courses each semester that support academic success, independent living, communication skills, and career preparation.

RAM Scholars Specifics

All RAM Scholars will also participate in workplace experiential activities, which may include informational interviews, job shadowing, internships, and/or paid employment at CSU or in the community.

WHEN?

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will be open between November 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025. To fill out an application, please go to the application page. NOTE: Application materials for the 2025-2026 academic year are due by January 15, 2025.

If you are interested in learning more about the program and potentially applying for future years, please fill out our interest form. This is not an application.

WHO?

  • Adults 18+ years with an intellectual disability.
  • Interest in developing career skills for employment in plant sciences, animal sciences, or related STEM.
  • Completion of high school transition program or high school diploma equivalence.

WHERE?

Classes take place on CSU’s Main Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado, and at CSU satellite facilities such as the Agricultural, Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC) and Temple Grandin Equine Center.

The RAM Scholars program is a commuter higher education program. There are no residential options in the program at this time.

COST?

RAM Scholars enroll in courses at CSU and are responsible for the cost of tuition and fees associated with enrollment.

RAM Scholars is part of the Inclusive Higher Education consortium, an IHE Program Fee of $3,000 is also due with each semester of enrollment.

Apply to RAM Scholars today!

CSU Collaborators

Center for Community Partnerships
Prevention Research Center – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division
College of Agricultural Sciences

Program Funded By

Support From Larimer County

The 2023 launch of Ram Scholars has been supported by Larimer County’s Workforce Innovation Grant Program, a collaboration between the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Larimer County, Larimer County Workforce Development Board, and Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRF0126, awarded to the State of Colorado by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

State of Colorado

State of Colorado Inclusive Higher Education Grants [HB22-1107]. Title: RAM Scholars: Inclusive Higher Education at Colorado State University.

Ram Scholars stand out in a field with farm buildings and hay bales in the distance