October 2026
From CSU to the big screen: Eric Delehoy turns storytelling into a force for change
CSU SOC alum Eric Delehoy, ’95, has built an impactful career spanning queer community advocacy, college counseling, publishing, politics and filmmaking. His latest film, “Winters, Nebraska,” opens this Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at The Lyric in Fort Collins, then continues on tour across Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.
While at CSU, Eric enjoyed SOC classes with Pat Atchison and Jack Brouillette. He was active in SOGLB, which has become The Pride Center. “CSU Sociology and the College of Liberal Arts prepared me for what I didn’t even know was coming,” Eric says.
SOC Intern's Research Helps Shape Town Recommendations
Madison Croissant turned her summer internship’s hands-on research project into a compelling presentation to Parachute’s Town Council. The senior sociology and political science double major adapted the town's 2023 community engagement survey to serve current needs. She facilitated discussions and helped move the project toward a final vote.
“I was considered the expert on the project and I had final say over how the survey looked and ran,” Croissant said. She reached out to Dr. Elena Windsong in appreciation of being able to draw on what she had learned in Elena’s research methods class.
Nowrin Fatema's Impact Grows
Since beginning her Ph.D. here as a 2026 CSU Land Grant Fellow, Nowrin Fatema has quickly expanded her research and engagement.
Selected as an IASNR 2026 Communication Fellow, Fatema was also invited to talk about her own community-based research. Her work on environmental injustice in Utah was published in Environmental Sociology. She has received a competitive Colorado Water Fellowship and has been selected to attend the Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference.
“For me, these experiences are about more than growing as a researcher,” Nowrin explains. “They are opportunities to represent CSU Sociology, connect with people and communities, and learn how research can make a difference in everyday life.”
Doc Erin's Team Addresses Statewide SANE Shortage
Dr. Erin O’Callaghan and graduate students Jenny Allen, Leila Kister, and Emma Ellison are are analyzing interviews Erin conducted over the past year with victim advocates across Colorado supporting survivors seeking Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams. Erin launched the project after Colorado announced a rape kit backlog in the spring of 2025.
The team's next steps include publishing their research as well as a technical report to assist victim advocacy agencies statewide in supporting both advocates and survivors navigating medical care after sexual assault.
New Report Released on Connecting Communities with Food Access
Dr. James Hale and Ph.D. candidate Milagro Núñez Solís have released “The GES Community Food System: An Assessment and Recommendations” a report bringing together perspectives from residents, community organizations, Denver food system leaders, and CSU staff.
“We hope this report can serve as a practical resource for organizations, residents, policymakers, funders, and others working to improve community food system programming and community engagement,” explains James.
