Dear Alumni,
I hope this message finds you well! I'm writing from the sociology department's temporary home across the street from the Alumni Association at Canvas Stadium, where we'll be for the next three years during the Clark revitalization. My name is Tara Opsal, and I'm excited to introduce myself as the new chair of the department. It's an honor to be the first woman faculty member to hold this position, and I'm thrilled to lead a vibrant community of nearly 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, along with our dedicated faculty and staff. We are a growing and thriving community!
One of my key goals is to strengthen our connection with you – our valued alumni. In my previous role as director of undergraduate studies, I loved engaging with many of you who wanted to stay involved with the Colorado State University sociology community after graduation. Together, we created opportunities for alumni to give back by mentoring students, offering internships, and sharing your experiences in the classroom and through career panels. I look forward to expanding these relationships with more of you and fostering a lasting community that benefits us all.
I also want to highlight my commitment to helping students explore the diverse career paths available to sociologists. All undergraduate students now participate in sociology’s "From Here to There" mentoring modules that faculty incorporate across our courses. These modules empower students to articulate their sociology skillset, enhancing their career readiness. We know that many Gen Z students, particularly first-generation college students and individuals from racially minoritized groups, are eager to better understand how to translate their passions into meaningful careers. I am committed to ensuring our department supports these students and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive at CSU, empowering them to succeed even after graduation.
On a personal note, my passion for sociology and higher education stems from my own academic journey. I grew up on my family’s small Holstein farm founded by my grandfather. I enrolled as a first-generation college student at the University of Wisconsin. There, I discovered sociology for the first time in a rural sociology course. I still remember expressing my excitement to my adviser, Dr. Gary Green, saying, "You mean there's an entire discipline named after the way I think about the world?" l earned my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado – don’t worry, alum, I am a fully converted Ram! I joined CSU in 2012, and I now have the privilege of teaching and researching issues related to the criminal legal system.
Together, these experiences taught me about the vital role that universities play in nurturing students' skills and aspirations. My mentors encouraged me to pursue graduate school when I didn’t even know it was an option, and I'm dedicated to ensuring our community of faculty, staff, and alumni provide that same support to our current students.
Will you join me in building a thriving sociology community? I invite you to share your updates and stories with us via this form so we can reconnect and grow together. I also appreciate any financial contributions you are willing to make directly to our department to support our growing community. If you’re interested in making a larger contribution, I’d be happy to chat with you one-on-one to understand your vision.
Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
Warmly,
Tara
