Colorado University Athletics
CU’s First-Year Program: Building Resiliency & a Growth Mindset
December 03, 2025 | Scripps Leadership & Career Development Program
As the semester passes its midpoint, CU Boulder's first-year student-athletes are navigating the realities of balancing academics, competition, and personal wellbeing. To support this transition, Scripps Leadership & Career Development hosted FYP Session #2: Resiliency, Growth Mindset & Accountability on November 11. The session focused on helping student-athletes understand how to build resilience, apply a strong growth mindset grounded in optimism, and develop habits that support accountability and long-term success.
The session's core content centered on helping student-athletes understand what resilience looks like in action, responding to adversity with clarity and intention while practicing a growth mindset rooted in optimism and steady effort. Through cohort conversations, athletes reflected on positive moments from the semester, how their core values from FYP #1 have shown up in their daily lives, and early planning for success in the new semester. A hands-on resiliency game allowed them to experience how pressure affects focus and performance, reinforcing that resilience is built through repeated practice and reflection.
"We know first-year student-athletes navigate a tremendous amount of change as they begin their experience on CU's campus, and it's important they take time to reflect and grow into the exciting opportunities ahead," said Katherine Kubancik, Assistant Director of Scripps Leadership and Career Development. "When student-athletes root their actions and goals in their core values, they're better able to authentically take ownership of their experience and grow as stronger, more confident leaders."
Students explored how mistakes can be opportunities to "reinvest," how small daily choices compound over time, and how proactive habits support long-term goals. Finally, the group examined the role of accountability, both personal and within a team, discussing how to follow through on commitments, own missteps, model strong behavior, and support teammates with honesty and care.
Looking ahead, student-athletes will take a personality assessment in preparation for FYP #3, which will focus on building self-awareness and understanding personal strengths to support future growth. The First Year Program continues the program's commitment to developing WHOLE student-athletes equipped to thrive academically, athletically, and personally.
