
Q&A with NROTC Student Coltrane Dilley
Coltrane Dilley (Psych鈥26), pictured far right
Coltrane Dilley (Psych鈥26) balances听NROTC, class and a vibrant social life 鈥 all while making time for running, friends and unlimited wings.
A Day as a Buff
鈥淢y mornings usually begin with a strength workout or ROTC training, followed by lectures and seminars. Afternoons are typically reserved for running, as I make it a personal goal to compete in several races each year. This spring, my training regimen was geared toward the Paris Marathon, which I ran this April. Evenings are dedicated to friends, campus events or personal downtime.鈥
Favorite CU Tradition
鈥淚 love the newly incorporated 鈥楶ush-Up Squad鈥 at CU football games, where ROTC volunteers from all branches perform push-ups after each team score, matching the team鈥檚 total points at that moment.鈥
CU鈥檚 Influence
鈥淏eing surrounded by people from so many different backgrounds, each with their own stories and perspectives, has pushed me to broaden my worldview and approach leadership with more empathy and nuance.鈥
Campus Life
鈥淏eing a student at CU today means constantly being surrounded by people who care about issues, about each other and about doing something that matters. There鈥檚 this quiet drive across campus that鈥檚 easy to miss if you鈥檙e not paying attention 鈥 but once you catch it, it pulls you in. It鈥檚 not always loud or flashy, but it is real and extremely authentic.鈥
Photo courtesy Coltrane Dilley
- Studying: Psychology
- Expected Graduation: May 2026
- From: Redondo Beach, California
- Serves as Staff Sergeant in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC)
- Can be found studying at the fifth-floor lounge in the UMC
- Doesn鈥檛 miss Wednesday unlimited wings at Roadhouse 麻豆影院 Depot

Coltrane Dilley competes in several running races a year.