In Loving Memory…
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Puksta Alumni Stories: Chand Jiwani
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“Everyone was kind, open, and so civically minded. What else could you want? It was a place I could feel inspired,” said Puksta Alum (CSU ’16) Chand Jiwani as she reflected on her memories as a Puksta Scholar. Since then, she’s continued the Puksta tradition of spreading kindness, positivity, and inspiration to others. Even in her professional life now, she maintains the spirit of service in all she does. Only four years after graduating, Jiwani has already elevated to the position of Senior Specialist of Engagement & Inclusion at Boston Medical Center, where she serves marginalized communities in New England’s largest safety-net hospital.
Service has always been at Jiwani’s core. Her Puksta project focused on the elderly population, a community that is often overlooked. She led programs at a local Fort Collins nursing home to keep patients active physically, mentally, and most importantly, socially. “They really appreciated the chance to connect with someone,” Chand said, “but I really feel like I benefited more from it than they did.” Beyond being able to practice leadership and civic service, she cites learning to develop relationships with the patients and hearing their stories as the most enriching part of her experience.
Jiwani counts her ability to develop relationships as her biggest takeaway from her time with Puksta. “When you’re serving people, it’s important to speak to them in a way that’s not only eloquent, but also accessible,” she said. Programs around her work have involved communities ranging from people experiencing homelessness, to undocumented peoples, to local residents that just want to learn to cook more healthy. “Different people need to be approached differently so that they don’t get confused and miss out on chances to get the help they need,” she said.
Years and miles since her graduation at CSU, Chand Jiwani continues to spread the spirit of Puksta in all she does, and she hopes the next generation of young leaders get to experience the same thing. “It’s a family that will accept you as you are and elevate you to what you can be, nothing would ever change my recommendation,” said Jiwani.
Puksta Spirit Week Recap!
While COVID has prevented all of us from gathering in person, it certainly hasn’t stopped us from connecting and sharing meaningful moments with each other, even if it is virtually. Normally around this time of year we’d be packing our bags to hit Estes for our annual retreat, but this year we decided to keep things physically distanced and do our first ever online Puksta Scholar Spirit Week instead. In true Puksta fashion, we all got together in the spirit of education, civic engagement, and family bonding.
We kicked off Monday’s events with a session on voting led by Jessie Jennett from IGNITE the Vote. For many of us, this election is the most important time in our lives to step up and be active citizens. We talked about our passions, frustrations, and what keeps us hopeful about the country we live in. Most importantly, we learned about our powers and capabilities to actually created change in the civic sphere. One of our own scholars Oliver Martinez-Reyes shared his experience of testifying in the state legislature and helping a bill passed to increase access to concurrent enrollment, proving that even as students, we still have power.
Tuesday we took things in a different direction and looked more inward as individuals. As civic minded young leaders, it is often too easy to get buried in all the problems of the world around us, without taking enough thought to ourselves. Riana Mitchell led our session, appropriately titled “All the Cares in the World… but who Cares for YOU?” The topic of self care has rightfully gained more widespread attention recently, and we haven’t needed it more than we’ve needed it this year. We learned how to take in deeper appreciation for the little things, not get crushed by the big things, and most importantly, give ourselves the chance to take a break and think about nothing every once in a while. Thanks to Riana we were able to equip ourselves with more tools to really examine and nurture our emotions and wellbeing in order to stay in the fight for justice.
For our next session we were so delighted to be led by two of our own alumni, Nick Martinez and Felipe Vieyra, as they talked about education equity and how to continue civic engagement during COVID-19. Although this pandemic has taken away many of the activism activities we’ve grown reliant on, it has presented new tools for us to use. As Nick pointed out in our session, there’s no reason why a district administrator shouldn’t be able to get on a zoom with 50 community leaders that have questions about the education system. Regardless of what we’re facing, there’s always an opportunity to connect, and there’s always a way to exercise our power as young leaders to demand change.
Thursday we went back to the world of self-help and self-improvement through a conversation with Charline Burgess from Morgan Stanley on financial literacy and financial health. For many of us, knowledge about personal finance was the kind of education we were missing the most. We asked tons of questions about budgeting, saving, and how to use credit especially. Like any other kind of wellness plan, we learned how to monitor our finances and identify areas that needed to be changed and improved.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the week was our daily zoom lunches. We gathered around the virtual dining table to connect with friends old and new from across all of our campuses. Whether it was with Scattergories, charades, or just talking about our days, we had tons of fun just getting to be in each other’s virtual presence. The lunches also offered a chance to really vent and talk to other student activists about all the trouble we’re experiencing in our own lives and in the world around us. In times like these, we are incredibly thankful to be able to lean on our Puksta family for hope, support, and inspiration.
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Scholar Spotlight: Mateo Manuel Vela (CU Boulder ’22) Talks About His Work in Bringing Arts Back to Underprivileged Students
On this edition of Scholar Spotlight, we talk with Mateo Manuel Vela and the way he’s using spoken word poetry to bring a creative emotional outlet to students in these very challenging times. Watch Below:
Aristotle famously said, “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” The spirit of that quote very much lives inside the work of Puksta scholar Mateo Manuel Vela. At the age of 20, he is already stepping up to create spaces and opportunities for high school students to freely discuss express their identities and thoughts on the environment in which they exist, through the art of spoken word poetry. While many schools are moving towards more STEM focused curriculums, Mateo is making sure that the arts don’t get left behind. Work like his is becoming increasingly important as the world gets more complicated with culture, politics, and society shifting in ways nobody ever expected. This “education of the heart” is especially crucial for the marginalized youth that Mateo is serving, who are often labeled and impacted by society before they even get a chance to negotiate their own self-image.
Growing up, Mateo was confronted with the social implications of being a Latinx first generation American growing up in a lower-income neighborhood. This, on top of an early battle with depression caused a great deal of confusion for Mateo as to who he was and where he belonged. Thankfully, poetry found him through a workshop in one of his sixth grade classes. “Honestly, poetry saved my life,” he says, “it gave me the opportunity to critique the world around me, and also articulate my place in the world.” This gift of creative expression gave Mateo the freedom and agency to begin answering life’s big questions and develop him to become the man he is today. Through poetry he has been able to compete with the DSP Slam Poetry team, and get the paid opportunity to perform on various stages, including the international Brave New Voices competition in Washington, D.C. Even more impressive than his competitive accomplishments, however, is his work as a leader in bringing poetry to students that are also from underprivileged backgrounds.
Today, Mateo serves as a board member and teacher for Sacred Voices, a Denver based organization that provides access to poetry workshops and open mics for high school students from underserved communities. The majority of his classes are centered around writing about identity, experience, and environment. At the moment, his workshops are supplemental education that isn’t budgeted or scheduled into regular school curriculums, but Mateo’s project is part of the push to change that. “Art is a very human aspect of our lives,” he says, “and if [students] don’t get the opportunity to do that, I fear that they’re missing out on a lot of emotional and social growth.” His dream is to see arts programs become an uncuttable part of public school curriculum, but he understands that this will be difficult to achieve. Until then, he is dedicated to making sure that he can provide this education to as many students as he can, and creating a model that can be adopted by schools in the future.
Scholar Spotlight: Betelhem Tewodros (MSU ’22) Discusses her COVID-19 Assistance Project for the Members of Her Hometown of Jijiga, Ethiopia
We recently had the pleasure of virtually sitting down with current Puksta Scholar Betelhem “Betty” Tewodros to discuss the work her and her father have been doing to help the people of her hometown of Jijiga, Ethiopia. Watch now below:
Betty was only eight years old when she left Jijiga with her family to come to America, but her heart has always been and will always be back home. For her, maintaining her native language and culture are a central aspect of her identity and daily life. Although she is based in Denver now, she still attends a traditional Ethiopian church, stays active in the local Ethipoian community, and celebrates Ethiopian holidays. Along with all the work she has done to make sure Jijiga stay a part of her life, she’s also made sure to keep her life a part of Jijiga.
When Ameha Admassu, a family friend, shared stories of difficulty and need in Jijga on Facebook, Betty and her father Teddy knew they had to help. Elsewhere in America and other Western countries, other Jijiga natives felt the same: Dawit Degenu, Dereje Asefaw, Wondwossen Tadesse, and Yonas Delelegn. Like Betty, they understood that living in the West puts them in a position of power to help those back home. Together, they joined forces and started a GoFundMe page to fund assistance in the form of masks, hand sanitizers, food and other basic necessities. Through their first campaign, they have raised over $6,000 which was directed to the ENAT Organization which distributed the supplies together with the Jijiga Regional Health Bureau.
Betty credits community elders like her grandmother for instilling this spirit of service and generosity in her. Respect for elders is a pillar of Ethiopia’s culture. With the first fundraising campaign having come to an end, and life slowly getting back to normal in Jijiga, Betty is now gearing up to launch a second campaign specifically to help the elders in Jijiga. For them, normal will come much later than it will for younger generations. Being higher risk, and less capable of managing daily tasks, the elders will be the ones that need the most help. Still, the duty of helping elders is one that Betty is more than willing to take on. In her eyes, there is no work more important than helping the generation that spent their lives raising the community she loves. Betty wants to do everything she can to pay this generation back, and set an example for other young people to do the same.
Click here to help Betty and the community of Jijiga https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-our-elderly-locals-through-enat-charity?sharetype=teams&member=6408368&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=b4ae7a2dd7384ffcae12f328427438f8Β
Puksta Alum William Mundo Celebrates ARCS Award and Announces New Book on Equity in Medicine
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“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It’s an old adage, but one that certainly applies to Puksta alum and Student Doctor William Mundo. Through a global health pandemic and growing inequality he has not only persevered, but strived, in his relentless pursuit for medical education and health equity for marginalized communities. Mundo is the latest recipient of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS), which recognizes and aids exceptional young minds in the STEM fields. Former students also recognized by the ARCS foundation include famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and medical inventor Peter McDonnell.
Mundo’s achievement is well-deserved, especially considering the challenges of adversity he endured as a minority student in medicine and higher education. He details this journey in his upcoming book, Margins to Medicine: A First-Generation Studentβs Health Equity Guide on Overcoming Adversity with Diversity. Mundo describes the book as “an in-depth exploration that explains how the understanding of medicine and its relationship with public health equity is a vital framework that we can utilize to overcome health inequities in our country.” He hopes that his writing inspires other medical professionals and allies to promote justice in public health.
You can join his book launch team here and contribute to his book here.
Puksta Alum Nicholas Martinez Fights Local Violence with Neighborhood Mural Project
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Amidst times of unrest and uncertainty, Puksta Alum and Southwest Denver local, Nicholas Martinez, is leading the way to unite his community through art. Like many other Denver neighborhoods, his has seen a rise in violence over the last six months. Resiliently, he proclaims that his community is “not willing to stand by and allow it to continue to affect our neighborhoods.” He and many other have every right to be angry and frustrated, but Martinez is directing that energy towards something more positive.
In response to this violence, Martinez and other community members have started a mural project that will be displayed at the Kepner Middle School campus. “Part of our solution to stand agains that violence is to bring our community together and create a public message of remembrance and hope,” said Martinez.
“We can’t do this without our community” said Martinez. Local artists, organizers, youth, and educators, have all come together to begin bringing this project to the neighborhood. Still, help is always needed and appreciated. Martinez has set up this GoFundMe page for supporters to contribute in any way they can.
Our very own Puksta Alum – Travis Macy competing in the Worldβs Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji
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Today is the Premiere of theΒ Worldβs Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji, hosted by Bear Grylls on Amazon Prime Video. And it comes to no surprise that one of our very own CU Puksta Alumni ’05, Travis Macy (a finisher ofΒ over 120 ultra-endurance events in 17 countries), is one of the competitors in this 11-day physically demanding, emotionally testing adventure race.Β
Some of you Puksta Scholars and Alumni may remember Travis as he and his wife, Amy Macy (also a CU Puksta Alum ’04!) came to speak at our most recent winter retreat in Denver. The theme for that weekend was resiliency, a topic that was perfectly suited for this coupleβs wealth of knowledge and experiences.Β
Today we have the chance to watch Travis test his emotional and physical resiliency with our own eyes as he navigates this race, not only by himself but with his father Mark. Travis grew up watching his dad compete in Ironmans, ultra-marathons, and Eco Challenges starting back in 1995. Either this spirit of competition is contagious or it can be attributed to genetics because Travis followed right in his dad’s rugged, mud-stomped footprints. Mark Macy was originally set to complete on a different team than Travisβs, but after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimerβs it didnβt seem like the right fit and he had to consider the additional support he would need. So, father and son decided to join forces on Team Endure! A name that seems to conform to the spirit of the people that make up this team, which also consists of a professional whitewater paddler, and a woman who survived two nights alone in the desert after a deadly fall before being rescued by her dog.
Team Endure pushes forward through this race for another purpose and that is to promote organ/tissue donation and mental health. Travisβs mom had a fatal liver disease and thankfully received a life-saving liver from a deceased donor, and through the years has also needed two kidney transplants to continue living. She is now doing well and to give back, Travisβs father Mark, donated his own kidney in 2008. Travis says “Organ donation is dear to my heart, and I seek here to support a cause that saves lives.β
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Mental health has also come onto Travisβs radar through his work with endurance athletes and the pressures that come with high-intensity training and overall well being. He hopes that sharing openly about his own experience with depression may empower others to seek help, move forward, and partner in camaraderie.
With a foundation of friends and family and honoring what is truly important in this life, I canβt help but be completely in love with this team and everything that they stand for. I am looking forward to watching their journey from start to finish.
*Click here to listen to Adventure Audiosβs Podcast where Mark and Travis about their recent competition in the Worldβs Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji.
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*Besides being an amazing Puksta Alumni, Travis is also speaker, author, coach, professional endurance athlete, and the author of The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life.
TEAM ENDURE: Travis Macy, Mark Macy, Danelle Ballengee, Shane Sigle, and Andrew Speers
~NiChel Mulstay, Director of Development and Community Outreach
Puksta COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
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What is happening at Puksta?
The impact of COVID-19 on our Puksta Scholars has been devastating.
Several of our Puksta Scholars have lost family members to this virus, many are dealing with the loss of their jobs and income, most have lost their housing and access to food, and almost all have struggled to maintain the support systems they had prior to the pandemic.
In the 20+ years that the Puksta Foundation has been providing scholarships, we have never faced a challenge like we see today to provide our scholars with the programming and support that has proven to be so important to our students who are coming from underresourced and marginalized communities.
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What can we do now?
The best action that we can take right now is to reach out to ask for your help in creating a βCOVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.β The purpose of this fund will be to provide immediate financial support to our Puksta Scholars who are facing growing challenges meeting their basic human needs of food, shelter, access to healthcare, and adequate technology to continue their education remotely.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 which will be set aside and made available for our current Puksta Scholars to apply for on a case-by-case basis with any funds remaining when the immediate need subsides being made available for scholarship funding.
None of us knows where this pandemic will take us, but we do know that our students have a need today that is far above our normal funding for scholarships, programming, and community projects, and, we want to be there to help them through this time.
We do hope you will partner with us in our effort to raise the Puksta Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
With gratitude,
John Mulstay
President/Founder
π Welcome, MSU Puksta Scholars! π
We had an incredible evening at the MSU Puksta Scholar Welcome Dinner, where we focused on building connections, setting intentions, and starting the academic year on the right foot. π
Our new scholars were warmly welcomed into the Puksta community, and the night was all about creating meaningful cohort connections. Together, we explored our personal purpose and intentions through powerful writing and expressive art. βοΈπ¨
Weβre also thrilled to introduce our brand-new Puksta Scholar Social Media Ambassador position! This exciting role will give one of our scholars the opportunity to lead our digital presence and share the amazing work being done across our community. π²β¨
As we move forward into the academic year, weβre excited to see how our scholars grow, connect, and make a lasting impact. Welcome to the Puksta familyβwe canβt wait to see what youβll achieve!
#PukstaScholars #MSUDenver #WelcomeDinner #CohortConnection #SetYourIntentions #SocialImpact #SocialMediaAmbassador #NewBeginnings
We recently went on a trip to Chicago and were thrilled to schedule sometime with our Puksta alumni, Ian and Bweza, who now live out there! We embarked on an architecture tour by boat and caught up over delicious deep-dish pizza at Giordanoβs! ππ€ We were so inspired to hear of amazing work theyβre doing post-Puksta.
π» Ianβs Story: Ian has taken his love for music and discovered his lifelong passion for crafting violins, a journey that has been as intricate and beautiful as the instruments heβs learning to create. His dedication to this art form is nothing short of inspiring, and we canβt wait to see where this passion takes him. We also got to meet his beautiful wife Morgan!!!
π± Bwezaβs Journey: From her days working with Growhaus in Denver on her Puksta project, Bweza has taken her love for plants and passion for food justice to new heights. Sheβs now co-founded Sistas in the Village, a local farm in Englewood, Chicago, thatβs making a significant impact on the community. At Sistas in the Village, theyβre reclaiming farming as a source of cultural pride and spiritual resilience. Their vision? A community where everyone is fed spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
They not only sell and donate the food they grow, but they also host workshops for community members of all generations and partner with like-minded Black-owned organizations and brands. Bwezaβs commitment to food justice is transforming her community and empowering others to join the movement. https://loom.ly/LoOc1Ow
We are beyond proud of Ian and Bweza for their incredible contributions and the lasting impact theyβre making. Keep shining, and thank you for continuing to embody the Puksta spirit wherever you go!
Alumni don`t forget to update you profile in the Puksta Online Community Portal https://loom.ly/zF3L4jg so we can be sure to visit you next time John and I are off on our next adventure! β€οΈ, NiChel
#PukstaScholars #Chicago #PukstaAlumni #FoodJustice #CulturalPride #CommunityEmpowerment #ArchitectureTour #DeepDishPizza
Maria Kahn, University of Denver Puksta Alumni 2013, is now being represented by Grassports LLC, the only sustainability and inclusivity focused publicity agency in the UAE! π πβ½
As the Captain of the Pakistan Women`s National Team and the first Pakistani female athlete to be endorsed by PUMA Middle East, Maria consistently breaks barriers and sets new standards. She has played football at the highest levels in the USA, UAE, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, earning numerous accolades. Including the Player of the Tournament Award in Saudi Arabiaβs first ever Womenβs International Competition, which comprised of 4 different nations. π
Congratulations, Maria! We hope ya`ll will keep up with her journey and check out the article: https://loom.ly/tnZtHTU
Just another day at the office π€© Puksta Scholars Program 24-25!! can`t wait to start this next year and welcome in our new scholars! Big thanks to our Puksta Coordinators and our special guest for lunch, Puksta Scholar Cristal De La Torre! #planning #planningcommunity #makingmoves #pukstascholars
ππ Proud of our now Puksta Alumni and DU Alumni Christy Voππ
We are thrilled to announce Puksta Scholar, Christy Vo`s, graduation from the University of Denver with a double major in Biochemistry and Computer Science not to mention a minor in Art! π Christy`s dedication over the past years has been deeply rooted in a transformative project aimed at enhancing access to higher education for underserved communities. Through collaboration with Minds Matter, a prestigious nonprofit organization, Christy has empowered individuals from low-income backgrounds by providing essential resources and guidance for their college journeys.
This experience has reinforced Christy`s commitment to equity and demonstrated the profound impact of collective efforts in creating opportunities for aspiring students. Christy`s journey highlights the importance of perseverance and the transformative power of education.
As Christy celebrates this milestone, we also recognize her growth in patience and trust in the future. She is actively pursuing opportunities, including potential roles at Denver Safe House, to further contribute to causes she deeply cares about.
Congratulations, Christy, on this incredible achievement! π We look forward to seeing the continued impact you will make in your community and beyond.
#PukstaScholar #PukstaALUMNI #UniversityOfDenver #Graduation #EquityInEducation #CommunityImpact #FutureLeaders
ππ Josie Duenas Tapia... Proud Puksta Scholar and now a Graduate of Colorado State University! ππ
I am thrilled to share that Josie has graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Computer Science π During his time at CSU in the Puksta Scholar Program, he dedicated himself to combating the underrepresentation of Latine students in higher education. Through initiatives like the Caminos mentoring program, he worked with over 50 high school students each semester, empowering their Latine identities and expanding their post-graduation opportunities.
In his first year with Puksta, he conducted impactful research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Latine community in Eagle County and Vail, CO. This research, which Jose was proud to contribute to, has been published and can be accessed here: https://loom.ly/bkhJG1U
Looking ahead, he is excited to explore opportunities with local nonprofits like Adelante, supporting Latine businesses in Denver, and expanding his impact as an independent contractor in the area.
So proud of you Josie and we can`t wait to see what the future holds! π
#CSUPukstaGraduate #LatineLeadership #EmpoweringCommunities #HigherEducation #CSURams #PukstaALUMNI
ππ Proud moment! ππ
Congratulations to Marissa Alejandra Martinez Suarez, a 2024 Puksta Scholar graduating from the University of Denver! ππ Marissa has achieved an incredible milestone, earning at the same time her Master`s degree in Teacher Education and Bachelor`s with a Majors in History and Political Science, and a Minors in Spanish, Critical Race, and Ethnic Studies. π
Over the years, Marissa has made a tremendous impact by working with youth and fostering their identities. As a Peer Program Coordinator for the Achieving Excellence Academy, she has supported students in developing their skills as mentors. This summer, Marissa will continue her journey as an 11th-grade teacher, working closely with the LatinX affinity cohort. ππ
In Puksta, Marissa has been actively engaged in impactful projects like the P3 mentorship program, Empowering our Women of Tomorrow initiative, and organizing DACA/Undocu Week with Unity Without Borders. These experiences have enriched her perspective, enhanced her advocacy skills, and strengthened her commitment to social justice.
Marissaβs journey doesnβt stop here. She aims to continue supporting students and becoming the representation she wished she had growing up. Hereβs to Marissaβs bright future and the positive change she will bring! ππ©βπ«
#PukstaFoundation #PukstaGraduates2024 #UniversityOfDenver #TeacherEducation #Mentorship #SocialJustice #LatinxEducation #EducationForAll #ProudGraduate #ProsperityDenverFundScholar
ππ Celebrating CSU Puksta Scholar Joel Ibarra! ππ
A huge congratulations to Joel Ibarra, a 2024 Graduate from Colorado State University! Joel has earned his degree in Construction Management. π
Joel`s journey with Puksta has been transformative. He established a mentorship program within the Construction Management department, supporting first-generation and multicultural students. This program, now in its second year, has provided invaluable mentorship and guidance, fostering a welcoming and supportive community. π€
Joelβs dedication extends beyond the classroom. He has been actively involved in social justice groups and restorative justice initiatives, channeling his passion into creating positive change within the construction industry. His work has not only connected students with industry leaders but also paved the way for future cohorts to benefit from this incredible initiative.
Join us in celebrating Joel`s achievements and his continued advocacy for diversity and inclusion! ππ
#PukstaFoundation #CSUGrad #ConstructionManagement #Mentorship #DiversityAndInclusion #FirstGenSuccess #ProudGraduate
ππ Celebrating Our CSU Puksta Graduate, Anh Bui! ππ
We are proud to announce that Puksta Scholar Anh Bui has graduated from Colorado State University with a major in Biology and a minor in Business Administration. Throughout this year, Anh has delved deeper into her project on equal access to quality education, discovering the immense support from her circle in making her vision a reality.
Anh successfully targeted the needs of two Denver Public Schools (DPS) from their advisor`s perspective, helping students get onto campus and building deeper relationships with their DSF advisor and the students. She left CSU with a lasting impact by connecting resources to the DPS advisor, ensuring continued support for students.
Anh produced a website, planned a school tour, and wrote a 20-page thesis paper. Her efforts resulted in 50 students from JFK High School touring CSU and receiving personalized mentorship connections.
Congratulations, Anh! Your dedication to education and community impact is truly inspiring.
#PukstaScholar #PukstaGraduate #CSU #Biology #BusinessAdministration #EqualAccessToEducation #CongratsGrad
πΊπΈβ¨π Happy Fourth of July, everyone!πβ¨πΊπΈ
As we celebrate today, the ππ©Ά Puksta Foundation ππ©Ά is also taking a moment to honor the memories of Harry and Eva Puksta, who we lost on July 3rd and 4th, 25 years ago.
The story of their π love lives on through the π 346 Puksta Alumni and 66 Puksta Scholars π who are working in our communities to create positive change. Their legacy of creating access to higher education continues to inspire us every day.
Let`s use this moment to honor their contributions and celebrate the difference they have made in the lives of so many.
#FourthOfJuly #PukstaFoundation #LegacyOfLove #EducationForAll #ActsOfKindness #PositiveChange #AmericatheBeautiful #pukstascholars #takingamoment #today #moment #legacy #access #education
ππ Celebrating Our CU Boulder Puksta Graduate, Fernanda Cerros! ππ
Fernanda Cerros graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a major in International Affairs and Political Science. Fernanda has been a champion for educational equity and the expansion of ethnic studies in schools.
During her time at CU Boulder, Fernanda worked with Public Achievement to mentor youth and inspire change in their schools and communities. As a youth organizer with YES4CO, she has been instrumental in expanding ethnic studies in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). Fernanda`s dedication and hard work have earned her the prestigious President`s 2024 DEI Award.
We are incredibly proud of Fernanda and know that she will leave a mark wherever she goes! Congratulations, Fernanda!
#PukstaScholar #PukstaGraduate #CUBoulder #EducationalEquity #EthnicStudies #YouthAdvocacy #CongratsGrad #classof2024
ππ Celebrating Our CSU Puksta Graduate, Pastor Niyogusengwa! ππ
We are proud to announce that Pastor Niyogusengwa, a new Puksta Alumni, has graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business - Marketing. Pastor has worked tirelessly on projects aimed at promoting equal access to education.
Throughout his time at CSU, Pastor focused on increasing high school student engagement. He discovered that effective planning and adaptability are crucial for teachers, and he also learned how to enhance his own skills in planning and communication. By asking his group members what they enjoyed and what helped them succeed during grade school, he was able to gather valuable insights.
Pastorβs commitment to education and his ability to adapt and plan effectively will undoubtedly contribute to his future success. Congratulations, Pastor! Thank you for bringing so much life and laughter to the program we will miss you!
#PukstaScholar #PukstaGraduate #CSU #BusinessMarketing #PukstaAlumni #EqualAccessToEducation #CongratsGrad #classof2024
ππ Congratulations to our DU Puksta Grad, Sunjoi Gandhi! ππ
Sunjoi has earned a degree in Computer Science and Socio-legal Studies with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Denver. As a Puksta Scholar, Sunjoi has been a dedicated advocate for youth and girls` access to education.
During their time at Puksta, Sunjoi worked with Girls Inc and focused on advocacy and activism.
In Sunjoiβs own words: "In my last year as a Puksta, I have begun curating a vision of what I would like my future to look like. I have felt torn between prioritizing my community work or myself and family as I move into the workforce. I have been leaning into the spiral of senior year and learning to be comfortable with the unknown. I know I will continue working with my community organization while pushing myself career-wise in my field of study. I am celebrating graduating!"
We are so proud of Sunjoi... Keep Rocking it!
Shout out to the amazing organization Girls Inc!
#PukstaScholar #PukstaGraduate #UniversityOfDenver #YouthAdvocacy #GirlsEducation #Classof2024
πβ¨ Congratulations to Madylin Kessler, a CU Denver Puksta Alumni! Madylin has earned her BS in Architecture and Planning with a minor in Landscape Architecture and Construction Management. π
ποΈ Her Puksta Project: This year, Madylin has focused on learning about resources available to those experiencing gentrification. She has been compiling various resources, definitions, explanations, and testimonies to create brochures that will be distributed to affected communities and community centers. Her goal is to provide valuable information and support to those impacted by gentrification.
π Future Plans: Madylin plans to involve politicians and local government to address gentrification and implement regulations for new companies involved in housing and commercial projects.
π Join us in celebrating Madylin`s achievements and her dedication to making a positive impact in her community! @maddsss.38 #Classof2024
#PukstaProud #ArchitectureForChange #CUGrad #CommunityAdvocate
πβ¨ Congratulations to Dhiona Carter Jaramillo, a proud University of Denver graduate and now Puksta Alumna! Dhiona majored in Biochemistry with minors in Biology, Human Health Systems and Sciences, and Medical Physics. Her passion for reducing health disparities and ensuring equal access to healthcare for all has driven her impactful work. π
π¬ Her Puksta Project: Dhiona has been tackling the health disparity crisis, especially as more individuals migrate to Colorado and face challenges accessing equitable healthcare. Through her role as a care coordinator at the D.A.W.N. Clinic in Aurora, CO, she has assisted over 300 patients in the past four years, providing free healthcare and helping them register for benefits like housing, transportation, food, and mental health services.
πͺ Dhiona also works with Red Equity to distribute period products nationwide, aiming to eradicate the Pink Tax and ensure equal access to these essential items. Her dedication extends to her research on Alzheimerβs disease prevention at DU and her new role as a full-time leasing agent at TAVA Waters, where she helps Spanish-speaking residents navigate challenges.
π Future Plans: Dhiona plans to attend Physician Assistant school to continue her mission of transforming healthcare systems and ensuring equal healthcare for all.
π Join us in celebrating Dhiona`s incredible achievements and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors! #PukstaProud #HealthcareForAll #DUGrad #ChangeMaker
πβ¨ Congratulations to our incredible 2024 CSU Puksta Graduate, Melanin Nahomi Armendariz Figueroa! β¨π
πβ¨ Congratulations to Melanin Armendariz Figueroa, our 2024 Puksta Graduate! β¨π
π Majored in Human Development & Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Professions and a minor in Spanish at CSU
π Puksta project: Addressing intergenerational trauma and domestic violence
π Passionate about social justice and community change
Thank you Melanin for inspiring all of us through your dedication and your compassion, you have such a kind and beautiful heart and we know it will take you great places moving forward! ππ€
Hereβs to Melaninβs remarkable achievements and her bright future ahead! ππ
@ke
#PukstaFoundation #CSU #HumanDevelopment #Graduation2024 #SocialJustice #CommunityImpact #IntergenerationalTrauma #DomesticViolenceAwareness
π Tuesday night, we had the pleasure of hosting a special dinner for our Puksta Scholar graduates at our home in Denver. It was a wonderful evening filled with delicious food and great company! We enjoyed a delicious dinner including salmon, tri-tip, mac and cheese, and more if you can believe it... Then we had the audacity to top it off with brownies and ice cream for dessert. π½οΈπ¨
We had a fantastic time chatting about summer plans, sharing lots of laughs, and celebrating all the hard work and achievements of our scholars. Best of luck to all our newest Puksta alumni! We are going to miss having you in the program day to day, but please keep in touch now that you are alumni, and congratulations on your achievements! πβ¨ @whereispastor
#PukstaScholars #PukstaAlumni #Graduation #Congrats #StayInTouch #Denver #DeliciousDinner
πβ¨ Congratulations to our amazing 2024 MSU Puksta Graduate, Gracie Leal! β¨π
Majoring in Social Work at MSU Denver, Gracie has made significant contributions through her Puksta project. She focused on providing awareness and resources for homelessness, sustainability, policy, and victim services through social media with CO Aware Denver πβ€οΈ
As she embarks on her journey to pursue her MSW this fall, we celebrate all that she has achieved and look forward to her continued impact in the field of social work. Way to go Gracie we know you are looking at a bright future ahead! ππ
@leal.graciie
@coawaredenver
@msudenverc2hub
#PukstaFoundation #MSUDenver #SocialWork #Classof2024 #CommunityImpact #HomelessnessAwareness #Sustainability #DenverResources
πβ¨ Congratulations to our 2024 CU Denver Puksta Graduate, Guinevere Vigil-Goltermann! πβ¨
Majoring in Geography and Urban Planning at CU Denver, Guinevere worked on an incredible project focused on educational access. They created a comprehensive database of historical resources that often go overlooked in traditional history education. ππ
"Puksta has given me a community on campus I did not have before." π
Join us in celebrating Guinevere`s achievements and the impactful work they have done to bring lesser-known history to light! ππ #PukstaFoundation #PukstaGraduates2024 #EducationalAccess #HiddenHistory #CUdenver #Community #Pukstaalumni #Classof2024
@guinny.actually