After an unexpected visit to Fort Collins, Katie Knittel chose Colorado State University as the next place in her educational journey. Knittel, an outstanding spring 2024 graduate in the School of Social Work, defines what it means to be a CSU ram.
Originally from Syracuse, New York, Knittel discovered Colorado during a cross-country trip to Oregon. While driving back home to New York, she was in a car accident in Idaho, affecting her reservations to visit Yellowstone. Without a plan, she decided to drive south to explore Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. After stopping in Fort Collins for lunch, she was inspired to continue studying at CSU.
Throughout her time at CSU, Knittel has been actively engaged in numerous organizations and worked diligently to earn her degree despite being almost 2,000 miles away from her support system.
“The opportunity for me to discover a new place with different people compared to where I have lived for my entire life is something I’ll forever be thankful for, especially the fact that it wasn’t planned,” shared Knittel. “CSU has shown me that there’s so much more in this world to explore.”
Navigating change
Before graduating from high school, Knittel was originally planning to go out of state for college. The loss of her father altered these plans.
“Three months before my high school graduation I lost my father,” said Knittel. “I decided it was best for me to attend community college at home and then transfer.”
Knittel navigated the experiences of being a transfer student head-on. She moved to Fort Collins with her cat, despite not knowing anyone in Colorado. Knittel persevered through any unforeseen circumstance she encountered by forming connections. She has been able to lean on friends she made at CSU and her family back home.
“For me, connecting with others and being able to not carry these circumstances on my own makes a world of a difference,” said Knittel. “Most of the time, I realize that I’m not alone and that I do have support after all.”
Knittel’s CSU experience has been amplified by professors such as Jen Currin-McCulloch and Danielle Willis; she thanks both for their wisdom and reassurance. Knittel is also thankful for the support of her classmates who turned into friends.
Stitching together success
Knittel jumped into experiences since arriving in Fort Collins that have augmented her CSU career. She has been involved with the Knits of the Round Table, a student-led knitting and crocheting club. In addition, during her last semester, Knittel is completing her internship at Northern Colorado Health Network. The experience has reinforced for her that she is in the right field.
“Being a part of harm reduction and the syringe access program has been an eye-opening experience and it is rewarding to be making such a difference for this population,” said Knittel.
Knittel is most proud of her work in developing the Student Association of Social Workers, a student-led social work organization that helps CSU social work students create connections and advocate in their field.
“Being a part of this process has been beneficial for me to further expand my knowledge and develop my social work skills,” Knittel shared. “The development of the organization has shown me that I am capable of more than I thought I was, and that has been so empowering for me. After over a year of creating the organization, I’m proud to say that it is an active and inspiring student organization that will only become even more successful over time.”
From Ram to Orange
As Knittel’s CSU experience ends, she is glad she took the risk to move to a new state. She notes that she will miss the strong school spirit that comes with CSU.
After graduation, Knittel will be starting a new chapter in July at Syracuse University in the advanced standing MSW program, which allows students to complete their master’s degree in 10 months instead of two years. She looks forward to being back in her hometown with her mom and aunt and is excited to give back to the community who helped raise her.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to attend SU one day and I’m still in disbelief that I am now,” shared Knittel. “I’ve always known that I want to make a difference in the world and attempt to make it a better place, and I’m so grateful that CSU has been my steppingstone to do so.”
Knittel has navigated the challenges that come with being a transfer student with grace and has shaped a CSU experience she is proud of. Through forming connections with students and establishing the Student Association of Social Workers, she has set a precedent for herself that she can accomplish whatever she sets her mind to.
As for what she will miss when she leaves CSU, Knittel cites the Ram community.
“The community behind the school spirit makes me proud to be a Ram! I will never forget going to my first football game and feeling the pride from the fellow Rams around me,” she said. “I am so lucky to have experienced going to school in such a beautiful place.”
Reflecting on her time at CSU, Knittel hopes to pay forward her experiences.
“There are so many individuals at CSU who have only impacted my life for the better, and I hope to have that impact for someone else one day,” said Knittel. “Being in Colorado makes my heart happy and I’ll dearly miss it here. Syracuse has been and always will be home for me, but Colorado is now my second home and I hope to move back here one day. Go Rams and Go Orange!”
The School of Social Work is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
