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!
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.
Roudy Hildreth is an eternal student who has the Rocky Mountains in his soul and strong coffee in his veins. Growing up just west of Golden, he graduated high school as a Golden High “Demon” and then journeyed to the University of Virginia where he earned his first of many degrees as a UVA “Wahoo”. His academic pursuits took him many places, but it was his time at the University of Minnesota as a TA where he would initially meet a young woman who would eventually play a central role in both his life and in his heart. Running into her twice more, in the years that followed, the two finally started dating and eventually married. Over the years, his intense passion for academics has lead him to several other universities and scholarly positions, ultimately resulting in his current appointment at CU Boulder. In that time he has enlightened many and strengthened the institutions where he attained additional degrees, published papers, co-authored/edited books, wrote book chapters, and attained several accolades.
An activist since his childhood, Roudy’s first social justice experience occurred when he accompanied his parents in a protest against the Vietnam War. Since then, he has been an active social justice advocate who has undertaken numerous initiatives and programs, hoping to one day implement the Puksta values and practices to an entire university. Off-campus, he can be found in and around the many parks and libraries in Boulder, at concerts, home enjoying his favorite program: The Wire, or at the cinema enjoying the solemn works of Director Mike Leigh. Having come from a large family, Roudy finds comfort amongst his many Puksta scholars, citing the Puksta Passage and one-on-one meetings as some of his favorite experiences.
A dog lover with a penchant for colorful socks, Roudy brings an artful spirit of enthusiasm to his work and a hunger for learning that is mirrored in those he educates and supports. He believes that students can “do great things and change the world” and sympathizes with their daily struggles of commuting, studying, and working within the bureaucracy of universities. A firm believer in the power of education, Roudy envisions continuing his career and working to provide an environment that will embolden aspiring social justice advocates by nurturing them to develop their insights and abilities and allow them sufficient space, support, and time to dedicate their energies towards their work. Roudy is a shining gem atop the Puksta crown. His dedication, mindfulness, and expansive intellect have greatly strengthened The Puksta Foundation’s efforts and given hope and encouragement to many. A hearty cheer of celebration and thanks for all that you are and do Roudy!
Jenni Talcott was an Englewood High graduate who attended DU with optimism and a talent for public debate. During her time, she approached her university life with vigor and enthusiasm, both as an avid Puksta scholar and as President of RAGE (rape awareness and gender education.). Seeking dual degrees in Criminology and Psychology, Jenni discovered an inner-calling to assist those in need and feels that Puksta offered her “a new lens to see the world”. Not only supporting her education, she thinks The Puksta Foundation gave her a “call to action” that matched her desires to make a better world. While spending her campus downtime at the student pub/restaurant: Driscoll Bridge, Jenni studied, created many cherished moments with her fellow students, and diligently completed her Puksta project which resulted in the Colorado Governor declaring the month of February as Dating Violence Awareness Month.
She met her husband while attending DU and relocated with him to Texas when he returned from military deployment in 2011. She immediately dove into social justice work there and has since grown and prospered, both personally and professionally, for nearly ten years. In addition to her current role as Development Coordinator for MOPS International, Jenni is a devoted wife and proud mother of two children (ages six and five) and three cats. Though she doesn’t miss the late nights of studying and dreading finals, Jenni remembers her time as a student with fondness. She lives in Denver with her family and is planning to complete the final year of her dual degrees. She intends to achieve a graduate degree afterward.
Looking back, Jenni is thankful for the experience and sees the foundation as something with immense potential and power stating that Puksta scholars are “world changers, not only because they are smart, but they are passionate. They have [the] drive to pursue change and because of Puksta they have the skills to affect that change.” She’s happy that her personal interests aligned with her career and wishes to stress to current Puksta’s to try and be mindful of the bigger picture while pursuing their studies, as she has noticed some former students struggle to match their passions to their professions. Jenni has become a beacon of light and hope within a world that truly needs the goodwill and fortitude she has to offer. She continues to carry the Puksta torch with pride and spreads the light of social justice with each passing day.
You are truly the embodiment of what Puksta was intended to accomplish and the foundation salutes you for everything you’ve done and for all the accomplishments you will certainly achieve in the future. A happy Puksta holiday salute to you Jenni!
You did it! All that hard work and endless studying are finally over and the time to rest has finally arrived. The many weeks of down-time that lay ahead might seem odd or even disquieting at first, but you’ll need this precious time to rejuvenate and reinvigorate so that you’ll be ready for the challenges of the next semester.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your rest:
Celebrate: Remember that reward in an earlier post? Now is the time to get that spa treatment, massage, or whatever else you were saving for yourself as a prize for all your hard work. Just keep it safe and pat yourself on the back. Many don’t make it through the first year of university, even more don’t achieve Puksta excellence, so congratulate yourself on your accomplishment and make a little merriment to commemorate that. Just keep it safe, so if you overindulge make sure to have a travel plan and maybe a friend along to ensure you have many more celebrations to come!
Sleep: Says it all, doesn’t it? Maybe not, as a quick nap here and there isn’t exactly the full, restful, and relaxed sleep that your body really needs at this time. You might find it difficult to slow down so suddenly, but remember that you’ve probably been burning the candle at both ends for some time and the idea of getting a full eight hours might seem alien to you. Take a few days for yourself and just rest. Your body will quickly remember and thank you for it!
Eat: Get some good fuel back into your body. Finals usually invite lots of unhealthy snacking and eating. Late-night take-out will stave off starvation, but it won’t refuel your body in the way you need. If you like to cook then go grocery shopping and make yourself a big meal (maybe invite a few friends?). If not, then maybe a local eatery will serve you up something that both comforts and replenishes. Either way, try to stay away from just filling “the void” with junk and make your meals an experience to savor.
Have Fun and Reconnect: Remember all that getting back in touch you might’ve promised once the semester was done? Now is the time to think about following through on that. Give yourself some rest time, but don’t forget that getting in touch with friends and family can also be restorative. Laughing, crying, or just reminiscing, these moments can sometimes be essential in comforting you when the finals crunch is on you again, so endeavor to grab a few while you can.
Above all, enjoy the time and make the most of it because the next semester will be back sooner than you think.
Sam is a lover of adventure who enjoys cold sushi, spicy chai, and Colorado summers. A graduate of Overland High School in Aurora, Sam ventured to Fort Collins where she attended CSU and attained a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Education degree consecutively. She has grown within the CSU community from working as a student to empowering them through a succession of positions within the university. Currently stationed as the CSU Community for Excellence Senior Coordinator, Sam has also been serving The Puksta Foundation as Coordinator since June. So far, her favorite Puksta moments have been when engaging with her fellow Coordinators and getting to know the CSU fellowship scholars at campus meetings.
Drawing from the experiences her family endured when they immigrated to the U.S., Sam became passionate about social justice and has sought to assist immigrant families and students in her adult life. She loves the CSU campus and can be often found sitting near a window facing the sun, walking on the Oval, or visiting the lagoon. A fan of Thai or Sushi take out, Sam is an admitted media buff who enjoys too many tv shows to list and loves to snack on the occasional madeline. She enjoys passing the time with board games and taking care of her plants. She dreams of her next relaxing vacation in her homeland of Ethiopia and doesn’t regret leaving the anxiety-inducing lifestyle of endless homework from her student days.
Though the future looks bright for her, Sam is still formulating her next step and envisions a future continuing her work and helping fellow immigrants through educational and career transitions. Sam is a professional, who is mindful, spirited, and optimistic while keeping a protective watch over her students, especially her Puksta scholars. Puksta is looking forward to many years of your lending compassion, grit, and enthusiasm to the effort and celebrates your inclusion within their family. Cheers to you Sam!
Preparation is over. The time for Pukstas warriors has come! Much like the final push to the summit of a mountain, it’s time to brace ourselves for the final effort by gathering our tools, readying our minds and bodies for the tasks ahead, mapping out a successful approach, and just putting one foot (metaphorically) in front of the other till the peak has been achieved!
Here’s some tips on doing your best:
-Use energy drinks sparingly and wisely: Sure, it might seem that draining an energy drink before the big test will have you sharp and at top shape, but what if you overdo it? Energy drinks, especially for those who don’t take them often, can have unexpected (and sometimes dangerous) effects. Really think about this before you take one and definitely don’t take anything that is usually prescribed if it hasn’t been prescribed for you specifically. Also, be aware that some energy drink ingredients can make people jumpy and anxious when they start taking effect, so give yourself some time before pens are filling out answers. If you must take something then think about some coffee before contemplating anything stronger.
-Sleep before a test: It might sound counter-intuitive, but many experts state that a weary mind that has been studying is less accurate than a rested one that maybe didn’t do as much preparation. Though a combination of the two is optimal (and recommended) try to get at least three hours of sleep before heading to class. If sleep is impossible, then keep your eyes shut and just rest comfortably. The effect will have benefits, though not as much as full slumber.
-Re-read everything and make confirm your assignments are submitted: Resist dramatically submitting that crucial paper and turning off your laptop because (insert dramatic music) you just can’t muster another ounce of energy to write. Take some time to make sure your thoughts and research translated as intended. Reading things out loud is also a great way of finding errors and realizing that you could add a word or two. Also, after hitting “send”, do so before the deadline and make sure the actual file made it to the prof. Most campus systems allow students to download their submissions, so an easy confirmation is to save and close the file and then download and read the submission. It’s easy to send unrevised copies or even the entirely wrong file, especially when you’re tired and stressed.
-Set multiple alarms: There are horror stories about the student who accidentally slept through finals by mistake. This does happen and can have catastrophic consequences to your academic career, so guard against this by setting multiple alarms that are closely spaced. Don’t hit “snooze” and assume the next alarm will wake you. If you have a virtual assistant then also set a news brief that will get your mind running so you can get your blood pumping.
-Know when the stress has become too much: It happens to all of us at some point. The combination of stress and a lack of sleep can make us think about things in a way that isn’t either logical or healthy, so if you feel that things are feeling out of control, then get something to eat and some sleep even if it doesn’t seem like there’s time for it. If that’s not enough and things still are feeling dark then talk to someone asap! A friend is great, but a drop-in with the campus mental health staff can be what gets you back into the right mindset. Nobody can tackle everything and solve every problem without a little help from time to time, so there’s never any shame in talking to someone.
The time has come when all the preparation and studying for the semester is nearing an end and final tests and papers are around the corner. Now is the time to ready your minds and bodies for the final push to finish classes. Pukstas thrive on challenge and stress, but the months of hard work can have a draining effect and can weaken us when we need all of ourselves at peak performance. Thanksgiving break can lull us into a false sense of complacency and make us vulnerable to poor performances. The final steps to the goal are near, so get yourself ready for the final push and ensure your arrival to the peak that is academic excellence!
Tips for prepping for finals:
-Get plenty of sleep: Those hours of test prep time and writing papers will seriously impact your shut-eye time very soon. Give your body, mind, and especially your immune system a much-needed boost by stocking up on plenty of slumber. Create a “sleeping zone” where you can turn off the outside world and just relax and rest. Sometimes this can be achieved through sleeping masks and earplugs. Sometimes with dark curtains and white noise. Whatever works
-Buy food and drink ahead: A stressed mind is often a focused one. Take-out and delivery can be convenient and fast, but a student budget doesn’t always allow for much of this and grocery stores can seem impossibly far away when deadlines are near. In addition to the junk food (try not to overdo this), make sure to buy a few extra meals that you know will pick up your spirits, be easy to make, and will give you the extra fuel to help you finish. Having something good to drink is also smart. Try to keep the sugary stuff to a minimum and put some of your favorite beverage in the fridge for those late nights and early mornings. Coffee and tea can be the lifeblood of students, so make sure you’re supplied well.
-Hydrate: Get your water. Dehydration can make you sloppy and unhealthy. A filtered water pitcher and a reusable water bottle (maybe one of those shiny new Puksta ones?) are perfect for keeping you in plenty of H2O and keeping you on the go.
-Actually study: There’s no other way to say it. You can’t learn by accident and rarely is anyone an instant genius, so you’ll need to crack open books, scan pages of online text, and review notes in order to get those marks that will ensure that a degree is in your future. Set a study schedule and try to stick to it. Create a space where you can focus and You can create a study habit that will serve you for finals and for the rest of your college years.
Alyssa is a woman driven by a love for social justice, the outdoors, good beer, and chocolate chip cookies. Raised in Dearborn Michigan, she is the most recent addition to the Puksta Coordinator posse and serves MSU as the Civic Engagement & Public Service Careers Industry Manager. A “Pioneer” and graduate of Dearborn High School, she completed her master’s degree in Social Work as a “Wolverine” at The University of Michigan. Continuing her family’s legacy of education and public service, she volunteered for Americorps prior to her graduate program and after graduation joined the Peace Corps where she journeyed to Mali to lead an adult literacy teacher training program.
Making friends and opening minds in Mali, she eventually journeyed to the land of majestic Rocky Mountain peaks and cinnamon sunsets, where she would meet her husband through a mutual Peace Corps friend. Passionate about good skiing and better baking, Alyssa is a Colorado outdoor enthusiast and a self-admitted fan of The Great British Baking Show. Around town, she can often be found enjoying a brisk stroll in Wash Park, enjoying a good IPA or Sour at Cerebral Brewery, and feasting on “all things tuna” at Taki Sushi. She especially values the lazy late Colorado summers and is on the constant lookout for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie (Potbelly is the current leader).
Remembering the days of having to fight for a seat for a 45-minute bus ride from her college digs to her classes, Alyssa now fights for her MSU students where she champions them in numerous ways, including her duties as a Puksta Coordinator. A fan of the Auraria campus, Alyssa was drawn to her current MSU appointment by the non-traditional and diverse student body and envisions many years of prosperity and growth in the role. Still formulating her long term plans, she is considering furthering her education with either a PhD or EdD, in the coming years. Of her fondest Puksta memories, to date, she mentions the thrill she experienced when connecting on new project ideas and planning with the new scholars at the recent MSU Puksta meeting in October.
Alyssa is looking forward to the winter break where she intends to reconnect with her family back in Dearborn and is planning to wake them on Christmas morning with sizzling cinnamon rolls. Dreaming of one day vacationing in Ireland and Scotland, Alyssa looks forward to many years of avid Colorado living and keeping the Puksta torch held high. Puksta is strengthened by your passion for the scholars and celebrates your determination to ensure their success. Cheers to you Alyssa!
That special time is finally here! Classes are on pause, the travel has been undertaken (or not), your mind is resting, and the family is gathered. Time to throw that diet out the window for a day and dig in. For just a few precious days, Pukstas can rest, relax, and revel amongst those who’ve truly made their academic journeys worthwhile. Not only is the Thanksgiving holiday a time for bringing out the good dishes and waiting impatiently for the big meal to start, but it’s also a time for bonding with family and friends and soaking up those moments that will become rare and infrequent in the years to come. Put your judgments and assumptions on hold for a day, hug someone and celebrate!
Tips for the Feast:
-Meat(less) isn’t a crime: If you prefer to eat meat(less) this holiday, then do so, but it’s good practice to respect the choices of others (especially if they respect yours) and make sure not to lay on a slice of guilt with each slice of tofu/turkey others eat. Maybe they’ll be encouraged to try it out themselves if you lead by example?
-Help with the dishes and/or trash: Sure college is tough, but not so much that everyone else has to do the cleaning after. Especially if you want to be seen as the adult you now are, spend a few minutes helping out before you let the food coma consume you. Maybe you can enlist siblings or other family members to also lend a hand and lessen the load. It’s a great way to show appreciation for the effort put towards your benefit and a means of returning a little goodwill. If you’re told that it isn’t necessary, maybe challenge it by saying it’s your personal way of giving thanks this holiday. Either way, don’t just be a slouch on the couch and help out a little.
-Don’t make the meal the only enjoyment: Sports and other games are great ways of making even more family memories during the holidays. A game on the TV is great, but maybe a board or card game later? Making the most of the holiday, in particular, is usually something nobody ever regrets. Put the friends on hold this day and spend it with the best ones you’ll ever have.
-Spend some special time with those you love: Maybe it’s morning coffee with dad or afternoon tea with mom, but set aside a little time to specifically connect with those you love. This can be particularly special with the elder members of your family because it’s easy to just live in the moment and forget that time and lives are limited and you never know how many holidays you’ll have with those who are special and cherished.
✨🎓 Congratulations to our incredible 2025 University of Colorado Denver graduate, Leo Banuelos-Rivera! 🎓✨
🌟 Leo began working construction in September 2021 and was surprised when they’d tell him, “just throw it out”, and it could be material that was still good for a purpose. This inspired him to dedicate his time in Puksta to find a way to reuse construction material rather than it just being thrown out. Anything from drywall, and plywood to cabinets, and more, etc.
🚀 Leo plans to integrate what he has learned about sustainability and responsible consumption and production into his career in construction management!
🎉 Way to go, Leo, we know you are looking at a bright future ahead!
✨🎓 Congratulations to our incredible 2025 MSU Puksta Graduate, Victor Delgado! ✨🎓
🌟 Upon joining the Puksta program, Victor led an initiative to get an RTD bus line on campus. When the administration didn`t support his efforts, he applied for student government. In this role he served as the main connection for undocumented student support, and became the co-chair of sustainability where he managed an 8k budget, supported a menstrual product initiative, and planned both Earth Week and Homelessness & Hunger Auraria Awareness Week. Victor also sat on the Student Advisory Committee for the Auraria Board of Directors to advocate for undocumented students and participate in a selection committee for architects for a new Tivoli student union.
👏 This year, Victor was selected for the Boettcher Student of the Year award and Espiritu of Aztlan award at MSU!
🚀 Moving forward, Victor plans to focus on developing his career now that he`s received his physics degree! Here`s to Victor`s remarkable achievements and his bright future ahead!
✨🎓 Congratulations to Rediet Ayanaw, a proud DU graduate and now Puksta Alumna! 🎓✨
🌟 Rediet spent the last year serving as an IT Coordinator and mentor at College Track, helping students navigate technology and build confidence in their creative abilities. She led weekly “Apple Bites” sessions where she guided high school freshmen through the process of planning, designing, and prototyping their own mobile apps. Rediet also contributed to ScholarSprint, a new initiative that encourages students to set ambitious academic and personal goals. While the program is still in development, she has been involved in shaping its early structure and providing feedback to ensure it reflects students’ needs and aspirations. Her time at College Track has been rooted in community, growth, and helping students see what’s possible for themselves.
🚀 As Rediet embarks on her journey to pursue a masters` degree in Business Analytics at CU Boulder this fall, we celebrate all that she has achieved and look forward to her continued impact in the technology field!
#PukstaProud #Puksta Foundation #PukstaGraduates2025 #DU #CommunityImpact...
✨🎓 We`re celebrating our amazing 2025 Metropolitan State University Puksta Graduate, Artemis Douglas! 🎓✨
🌟 Artemis aligned her Puksta project with the work of her undergraduate thesis. She worked with various mentors to create an original research study that demonstrates the risks and harms trans women face and how wide-spread those risks are. Using a methodology of "ask trans women and believe them" and a lens of harms and spaces, she successfully demonstrated transfeminized and classical precarity as something that is applied and enforced, on to trans women on the axis of their gender. No prior academic literature has done this- and her thesis is now under review at an academic journal for future peer-reviewed publishing. Artemis presented this work 4 times this year, and she`s working on a monograph which is essentially a book-version of her thesis for either self- or peer-reviewed publishing!
🚀 After taking a well deserved break this summer, Artemis will be moving to Dublin in August for a graduate program in Gender, Politics, and International Relations. She may also consider a concurrent graduate program focusing on transfeminism from a disciplinary lens of philosophy and literature.
🎉 Congratulations, Artemis! We look forward to seeing the continued impact you will make in your community and beyond!
🌟 During her journey with Puksta, Autumn created resources for the community regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and trauma healing. She developed a google site to make these resources more obtainable from anywhere in the U.S. Her resources include getting involved in the community to help aid trauma healing and supporting your local community. Autumn shared that her project "was influenced by working at the Ute Mountain Ute summer camp and seeing the children who have already faced hardship. I wanted to give resources to ensure they follow the correct path and can heal from their trauma."
🚀 Autumn is taking time to rest after graduation before she begins her career working with animals, specifically fish! Join us in celebrating her accomplishments and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors! 🎉 @autumnspirit33
✨🎓 Mayra Luna...proud Puksta Scholar and now Graduate of the University of Colorado Denver! 🎓 ✨
🌟 During her last year of the Puksta program, Mayra worked with a future center counselor at the high school she graduated from to help seniors apply to colleges and utilize the future center on campus. She facilitated a workshop and promoted MSU for any senior interested in applying and learning more about the school. Mayra was excited to engage in this work, because as a first generation student, she knows how hard it is to navigate the transition to college and that it is easier with the help of a mentor.
👏 Join us in celebrating Mayra`s achievements and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors!
🎉 John and NiChel had this year`s graduates over for a very special evening on Tuesday to celebrate their accomplishments! 🎉 Each graduate received a Puksta alumni pin and they were welcomed into our growing network of almost 400 alumni! Then, they all enjoyed dinner over laughs and lively conversation at Nana`s Dim Sum & Dumplings 🥘💞 Congradulations graduates, we are so proud of your evolution as individuals and contributing community members!! 👏
✨🎓 Cristal De La Torre...proud Puksta Scholar and now graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder! 🎓✨
🌟 Cristal spent the last year collaborating with one of her peers to present to create a financial literacy basics presentation for high school seniors and University students, specifically targeting groups of underrepresented individuals. They covered topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, and planning for the future while integrating interactive videos, worksheets, and online simulations to help their students grasp the material. Cristal and Mariajose are proud to be the support they needed when coming to CU Boulder. 💞
🚀 Moving forward, she is pursuing a career to be a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. We are so excited for you Cristal! 👏 @cristal_dlt.23
✨🎓 Congratulations to Paige Perricone, a proud CSU graduate and now Puksta Alumna! 🎓✨
🌟 This year, Paige worked hard to establish programs promoting resilience and protective factors for LGBTQ+ homeless and foster youth in a Denver-based LGBTQ+ homeless shelter. She worked with Dr. Kevin Powell to develop specific programs around engagement in social services and community-building activities. They were able to give two full seminars to the support systems (parents, friends, teachers, etc) of the youth at the homeless shelter, as well as host a community picnic potluck, and an arts & crafts day for this upcoming pride month.
🚀 Future plans: Paige plans to apply for graduate school and continue working at a crisis line for suicide prevention and sexual assault & domestic abuse survivors.
👏 Join us in celebrating Paige`s incredible achievements and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors! @rampaige687 #PukstaProud #PukstaFoundation #PukstaGraduates2025 #CSU #CommunityImpact #LBGTQ+...
Puksta passages concluded this year with a fabulous celebration at DU 🎉
Congratulations to our graduates, 🎓 Jay Keodonexay, 🎓 Zoe Stelzer, 🎓 Rediet Ayanaw, and 🎓 Samantha Rodriguez! We are rooting for you as you transition out of your undergraduate experience!
We also had the lovely opportunity to hear some words of wisdom from Zoe Grisez, 2023 DU Puksta Alumni. Thank you for sharing your insightful reflections with our new and current scholars 😍
The event was bittersweet this year as we also said goodbye to John Macikas, our DU Puksta Coordinator. John, you`ve made such an impact on our scholars and the program - thank you for dedicating your time and talents to Puksta these last few years. 🙏 Congratulations on your promotion, we will certainly miss you and wish you the best!...
The MSU Puksta Passage is always a special event as we get to hear from each scholar about their civic engagement experiences. This year, scholars provided social and academic support at Thomas Jefferson High School, offered financial education, engaged in research to create new literature and improve the discourse involving trans women, participated in student government, and supported first-generation students, undocumented students, and veterans!
We also got to welcome our incoming scholars, celebrate our fabulous graduates, 🎓 Artemis Douglas & 🎓 Victor Delgado 🎉 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉, and hear some beautiful words of wisdom from Duvia Ortega, MSU 2022 Puksta alum!
Wow, we truly enjoyed hearing the insights that all of you have gained from dedicating your time and energy to your community 🤩😍...
📣 🎓 Graciela Leal, MSU Puksta Alumni, just graduated with her Master`s degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University! Congratulations 🎉 We are so proud of your achievements and the ways in which you`ve continued to contribute to your community beyond your time in Puksta - and LOVE seeing you repping your Puksta cord one more time!...
The CSU Puksta Passage was truly a special evening!
We celebrated our fabulous graduates, 🎓 Miguel Eduardo Lopez, 🎓 Autumn Wilson, and 🎓 Paige Perricone, as well as our continuing scholars who are addressing food insecurity on campus, supporting refugee students in higher education, bridging cultural divides, and much more! 🎉
We also had the honor of hearing from Puksta alumni Vera Asuamuzuah! In 2011, Vera received the Puksta scholarship and set a goal to provide a clean, reliable, and convenient water source to her village of Potomu, Ghana. In 2014, Vera oversaw the installation of a bore hole well and hand pump in Potomu, thanks to her dedication and hard work to fundraise and build community around this project - WOW! 🤩...
Congratulations CU Denver graduates, Leo Banuelos-Rivera and Mayra Luna!! 🎉 Leo, we appreciated the heartfelt words and wisdom you shared with us at the Puksta Passage Thursday evening.
It was such a joy to spend time with this group of scholars. They are dedicating time during their undergraduate journeys to support latino immigrants in higher education, address racial disparities in advances high school programs, decrease the digital divide amongst college students, and to engage in harm reduction and substance use prevention on their campus. We loved getting to learn even more about everyone through a fun social Bingo activity!...
📣 Puksta Passages commence this year with CU Boulder 🎉
Congratulations to our graduates: Cristal de la Torre, Mariajose Baca, and Anahi Sarmiento Garcia - we are so proud of all you have accomplished!
The rest of the CU Boulder cohort shared poster presentations about their civic engagement endeavors focused on youth empowerment, creating opportunities for women in STEM, providing support for minoritized students pursuing higher education, and uniting diverse student organizations at CU. Wow, what an incredible group of scholars!
Nothing brings us more joy than seeing and celebrating you all 💞...
We were so thrilled that Puksta got to share our magic at the MSU Annual Scholarship Celebration Dinner! ✨ Our Founder, John Mulstay, joined Victor Delgando (current scholar), and Karen Nunez Sifuentes (MSU alumni) on a panel during the event program, and Karen gave a fabulous keynote address! Enjoy these highlights from such a special evening:
"That is the power of a scholarship. It`s not just about covering tuition. Its about creating space for students to dream without limits. It`s about giving the freedom to pursue our potential without being held back by circumstances beyond our control." - Karen Nunez Sifuentes
"In 2024, there were 23,000 students that graduated with an undergraduate physics degree and only 5% of them were Latino students. I think that explains why we need people like us in these places. Puksta has allowed me to become a physicist. My sister just said today, "now we have a physicist in the family." - Victor Delgado
"If you have the ability to empower young adults that are looking for a boost up at this time in their lives, amazing things will come from it. Students that we work with know that we care about them deeply, they know that we love them, that we are there to support them, they pick up the ball and they run. And they do incredible work. If you can give, support them financially. If you have time, mentor them. Dive in, lean in. It is the most rewarding thing I`ve experienced." - John Mulstay...
Today, March 9th, marks 25 years of the Puksta Foundation—25 years of impact, community, and unwavering dedication to creating meaningful change. What began as a vision has flourished into something far greater than a scholarship—it has become a family, a movement, and a legacy of service and leadership.
To our 63 current Puksta Scholars and 346 alumni—you are the heart of this program. Your passion, resilience, and commitment to social change continue to inspire us every day. The work you do in your communities is a testament to the power of education, service, and connection.
Harry and Eva Puksta would be so incredibly proud of all that you have done and continue to do. Your efforts embody the spirit of their generosity and vision for a better, more just world.
A special thank you to John—our incredible founder—whose dedication allowed Puksta to not only take root but to bloom and blossom into something truly extraordinary. Because of you, Puksta is more than a scholarship—it is a family that uplifts, empowers, and transforms lives.
And to every mentor, coordinator, university partner, donor, and supporter who has walked alongside us on this journey—thank you for being part of 25 years of caring, impact, and community. This milestone belongs to you, too!
Here’s to the next 25 years of Puksta Scholars making a difference! 💙✨
📣 Victor Delgado, MSU Puksta Scholar, was recently named a 2025 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year Finalist by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation! 📣
Victor is a senior Physics major at MSU Denver. As a student leader on campus, he is an active participant in the Brother to Brother program, is on the Vice President of Student Affair`s student advisory board, and works at the Tutoring Center. He also serves his MSU Denver student body as an elected official to Student Government: The Student Advocacy Council.
Congratulations Victor, we`re so proud of you! 🎉...
🎉❄️ Check out these highlights from our 2025 Puksta Winter Intercollegiate Retreat! ❄️🎉 At the end of January, scholars and staff from all five campuses gathered at the Estes Park YMCA for a weekend of rest and community building. Between a roller skating party, karaoke, family meals, bonfires, and our annual senior skits, fun was had by all...even in below 10° temps 🥶! A special thank you to our fabulous alumni who were able to join: Jorge Lomas (`19), Shannon Coffey (`05), and Lumiere Sidone (`21) 🙏...
We are highlighting our MSU Denver’s Puksta Scholar Divya Bhattarai!
Divya has created a highly informative presentation for high school students regarding financial aid for post secondary education. Divya’s presentation informs students about FAFSA, a variety of scholarships, and the Colorado Promise. Her presentation also has important information about different types of loans such as the federal subsidized, unsubsidized, and private loans. The purpose of this presentation is to encourage high school students to avoid getting into debt.
Post by MSU Denver`s Puksta Social Media Ambassador Montserrat Adame...
