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‌‌‌The Excel Program focuses on building partnerships between MSU Denver and select schools in Adams County and Aurora Public Schools to educate, encourage, and empower students looking to continue their post-secondary education, as well as creating a pipeline from these schools to MSU Denver.  Our program focuses on three main goals:


Goal One: Student Focused

The MSU Denver Excel Program is designed to support and motivate high school students to achieve their higher education goals. The college-going process can be a very confusing and difficult to navigate.  With this in mind, the MSU Denver Excel Program demystifies the process by breaking the process into smaller components.  Students who work with our Excel Counselors are given one-on-one coaching on all aspects of the college application process, from starting their college application through to preparing for their first day of class!

Goal Two: Parent Focused

Because part of our mission is to create a solid support structure for students, another focus of our program is to educate and empower parents to help their student achieve their higher education goals.  Our team works with parents on understanding "how it all works"—how students apply to college, how they request financial aid and scholarships, what the college experience is like for students, and so on.  Our goal is to encourage parents to support and motivate their child to attend a higher education institution.

Goal Three: School Focused

The MSU Denver Excel Program team is on-site at our target schools six times per semester and works closely with school administrators to create a visible, active presence at each institution.  Excel Counselors meet one-on-one with students to provide admissions counseling and assistance in completing college applications, scholarship searches, and answer any questions a student may have about the college admission process.  In addition, the Excel Program regularly partners with each high school to provide various college information workshops and provide students with campus visit opportunities to engage and motivate students to think and talk about higher education.

How The Excel Program Works
  • The Excel Program is available to students in seven (7) high schools in Adams County and two (2) high schools in Aurora Public Schools:
Adams City High School Aurora West College Prep Brighton High School
Hinkley High School Northglenn High School Pinnacle High School
Prairie View High School Thornton High School Westminster High School
  • Two bilingual (English/Spanish) Excel Counselors visit each school six times per semester.  Our counselors meet with students one-on-one and discuss a student's post-high school goals and plans.
  • Examples of services include assistance in completing a college application, providing information on financial aid options, scholarship search and application process, college essay support, and bilingual (English/Spanish) workshops for students and parents.
  • Students wishing to speak to an Excel Counselor outside of normal visit hours are encouraged to schedule an appointment.
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