Calling All CU Boulder Students!

Are you an incoming freshman, current freshman, or current sophomore at University of Colorado Boulder interested in becoming a Puksta Scholar?We’re ready for your application!

The deadline is March 13. The application, as well as additional details about the program, can be found at http://colorado.edu/puksta

Submit your application today!


CSU Puksta Scholars Showcase Their Work

CSU Puksta Scholars and their projects were recognized at last week’s mid-year showcase. Each of our eight scholars, including three seniors, gave informative and passionate presentations demonstrating the impact and value of their work. Great job everyone!

Read more about the showcase here:



Puksta Scholar in the News!

A recent profile of Bailey Cross Boggs by Voyage Denver discusses her career as a small wedding and elopement photographer, as well as her continued passion for advocacy and social justice. Bailey was a CSU Puksta Scholar (’17) who created The (Blank) Monologues, a student-written and performed production about social issues facing students on campus.

Bailey’s commitment to ending human trafficking and her passion for justice have carried over into her business. 10% of all proceeds from Bailey Cross Photography go to International Justice Mission, the oldest and largest non-profit in the United States working to end human trafficking around the world!

Read more here: http://voyagedenver.com/about-voyage-media/


Wanted-Aspiring Artists

Hey Puksta fam. This is Rob Hatcher and I’m looking for two Pukstas who would be interested in joining Mateo, Fifi, James, and Betelhem on the stage by reading a poem from a collection of works written by incarcerated poets. You’d be on stage for a maximum of five (5) minutes and, since the event is free, you could bring along a friend or two to see you shine!


MSU Puksta Scholars Applications Are Open!

Will you be a Metro State University junior, sophomore, or freshman at the start of the Fall 2020 semester? Are you, or someone you know, interested in becoming a Puksta Scholar? We’re ready for your applications!

Submit you application by March 11 for consideration. Additional details about the program, as well as the application, can be found at: tinyurl.com/Puksta2020

Submit your application today!


Applications Now Open for DU Puksta Scholars Program!

If you are currently a high school senior enrolling in University of Denver and are interested in becoming a Puksta Scholar, or know someone who is, we’re ready for your applications!

The deadline is Monday March 16 at 10 AM. The application, as well as additional details about the program, can be found at https://www.du.edu/ccesl/ourwork/galvanizing_tomorrows_leaders/pukstascholars/puksta.html

Submit your application today!


Puksta Intercollegiate Winter Retreat 2020

We had a weekend of bonding for our Puksta Scholars across all campuses. We all partook in activities ranging from discussions on setting boundaries, issues that they are working on, dancing, karaoke, meditations, cooking, enjoying the beauty of nature and gathering around the campfire together. It was a weekend retreat that will not soon be forgotten. We want to send out a special thank you to our Alumni, Luis Paredes, who led our discussion of “What It Means to Set Boundaries”, our amazing Puksta Coordinators, and of course our Puksta Scholars for coming into to the weekend with open minds and hearts to form deeper connections with one another. 

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Monica’s touching speech for the MSU Spring Commencement 2019

Monica Simpson earned the Provost Award from MSU in the spring of 2019. Here is her amazing and inspiring speech.

Both humble and noble, Monica is the first to say that her background is nothing truly remarkable from her fellow non-traditional students, but her work at MSU was and will continue to truly be outstanding. During her time at university, Monica worked to create a community and establish an empowering support network for her fellow seasoned students. Her hard work is carrying on past graduation as she will bring The Wisdom Collective to the campus in order to better serve the unique needs of students who are bringing their life experiences to their higher education. Puksta celebrates you, ​Monica. We offer you well deserved congratulations!


A look back at Puksta Alumni Kevin McQuirk’s project with STEM Mentoring

My project for the Puksta foundation is a yearlong mentorship between paired, college and high school students in the Denver Public Schools. The name for my mentoring program is “Impact the Youth.” Through Impact the Youth, I will immerse high school mentees into the higher education environment on the Auraria Campus. The high school students who Impact the Youth is designed for are minorities, undocumented people, and socio-economic disadvantaged students that are in their second, third, or last year of high school. The goal of the project is to present these students with multiple options of education through a university or community college. It is designed to show higher education as one of the best career options, encourage them to attend college, and remove any roadblock in the way of these goals. In Impact the Youth, I will build mentor-mentee relationships with high school students by inviting them to attend activities at MSU Denver throughout the year. These activities could be a presentation, laboratory research, lecture, or event on the Auraria campus. This will allow high school students to be familiar with college campuses and to experience many opportunities through organizations at MSU Denver. This will also provide high school students the potential to work with on-campus organizations that they may potentially become involved with if they attend MSU Denver in the near future.