Posted on October 20, 2024
Issue(s) of Focus: Education Issues
Major(s): Computer Science
Project: I hope to meet different organizations that have the same goals as mine. I plan to explore the different ways I could positively engage within my community.
Inspiration: My exploratory research into the direct effect of how less education an individual receives relates to their likeliness to follow the prison pipeline really captivated me and lead to a spark in my interest to that social issue.
Future Goals: I hope to make an impact to my issue in any positive way. I want to be able to say that I helped make the world a better place.
Posted on October 20, 2024
Issue(s) of Focus: Youth Mentoring, Education Equality
Major(s): Elementary Education
Project:I aspire to help first generation students feel supported through the college process. School is a luxury that many have the opportunity to complete but don’t have the access.
Inspiration: I am a first generation student. My struggles with attending school have been at large. I know a mentor could have made a huge difference in making the process seamless as possible.
Future Goals: I hope to help first generation students feel and like they belong. I thrive to help parents understand how important those deadlines are so there student can be successful.
Posted on October 20, 2024
Issue(s) of Focus: Youth Mentoring, College Preparedness, Latinx Support, First Generational Support, Transitional Programs for College/University
Major(s): Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology), Languages, Literatures and Cultures (Spanish)
Project: I was thinking about pursuing a project in helping First Generation and/or Latinx Students who are interested in Veterinary Medicine, and create a program where students will learn about the basics of Vet Med and as well as building a community and allow them to have college preparedness at Colorado State. This would be a summer program at Colorado State allowing students to become familiarized with the institution and gain support from current/past DVM students from CSU.
Inspiration: I decided to pursue this project because coming into Colorado State, I have always had the mindset of working towards becoming a Veterinarian, which led me to join/advocate for support groups for students like me. I joined Pre-Vet Club, Biomedical Student Association, declared a Pre-Vet Track and met with multiple people to help me on my track towards becoming a Veterinarian. All of these different programs are helpful but were a little intimidating and not helpful when entering my first year of college and being told i’m “already behind” on my requirements for the VMCAS and Vet School in general. Which sort of led to me thinking, Am I really prepared for Vet School… Should I even continue? Those thoughts still haunt me when I think about them now and I want to help students who were just like me to gain the knowledge and experience to help them feel prepared and know they are going into an institution where it’s much different than high school, and the start to their careers.
Future Goals: I hope to empower first generation students, latinx students and those who are interested in Veterinary Medicine, to feel prepared for their incoming year at Colorado State and allow them to gain different forms of knowledge whether it’s Veterinary Medicine or College Preparedness, but having them know that they are welcomed at an institution like CSU and providing as much support the summer before their first year up until their last semester at CSU.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Entrepreneurship
Minor: Finance
Project: What I would like to pursue for my Puksta Project is equal educational opportunity for minorities. From elementary and forward, motivating and providing resources to students of color to attend higher education and advanced classes such as honors, AP and IB in order to promote and have more diversity in advanced education.
Inspiration: What inspired me to choose this project was my experience in the education system. I grew up taking honors, AP, and IB classes which were predominately white. I always felt out of place and my peers and teachers never helped me feel included or smart enough. I would like to encourage and motivate students of color to take these advanced classes because we are all worthy of a higher education.
Future Plans: What I hope to accomplish is making advanced classes more diverse. By making these classes more diverse more and more students of color will feel comfortable and worthy enough to take advanced classes which in the long run benefit their academic career.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Public Policy, English, Socio-Legal studies
Project: Political representation is one of the most important protections that we are granted as Americans. However, our most vulnerable populations will oftentimes go underrepresented in political polls, rallies, voting and other activities such as protests and city council meetings. As conversations of equity and equality continue to prevail within society, so must the tangible tools that we utilize to materialize these very ideals. It is imperative that our institutions promote the importance of civic engagement through education and access. I hope to help contribute to this growth by working with a varied of organizations that advocate for the systemic time and resources equal civic engagement.
Inspiration: Growing up I went to school to a densely populated public elementary school and then obtained a scholarship to attend a private school. This experience allowed me to see the differences between these two institutions of education, and how some children, given their economic background, are granted a much greater opportunity within their education. This difference had much to do with funding but was also influenced by culture, pedagogies, and expectations, all of which seemed influenced by race, class, and socioeconomic status. My hope is that all kids, regardless of background, have the opportunity to a quality education.
Future Plans: My hope is to learn more information about how the educational system affects younger children and in what ways it could be improved so that every child reach their highest potential. Through Public Policy, I’d like to learn how we can create sustained change for K-12 public schools in Denver and also across the US.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Psychology
Project: Currently I’m working in CCESL’s youth organizing program to help high school student produce change in their communities. In the future, I want to work more with students on tutoring/mentoring to push more students to make it to college.
Inspiration: I grew up in more underfunded areas of Denver where opportunities were not readily available. I wanted to change the way I grew up for those younger than me as the few opportunities I was given changed my life. I want to be that change that I received.
Future Plans: I want to push low-income students to pursue their education. I want to give them the tools to be able to get scholarships and get accepted.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Accounting
Project: Spreading student loans and debt awareness in DPS High School.
Inspiration: The raising of student loans and debt in society inspired me to work with high school students regarding student loans. Student loans should not be normalized because it harms students after graduation.
Future Plans: With my project, I wish to get more students to apply for scholarships and find alternate ways to finance for college instead of getting loans. I want to make sure the students that I help graduate with high school knowing they don’t have student loans to worry about later.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Political Science, Education. Minors in Leadership and Spanish.
Project: This year in Puksta, I have been deeply involved in initiatives focused on immigrant rights, particularly through my work with Public Achievement. I discovered that I have a strong passion for community organizing and empowering youth to become advocates for social justice. Working closely with young people, I built meaningful relationships not only with them but also with their families, which strengthened my understanding of the community’s diverse needs and perspectives. Problem-solving often involved navigating cultural sensitivities and finding ways to effectively communicate complex legal information in an accessible manner. I developed new skills in facilitation, public speaking, and community engagement, which were crucial in driving our initiatives forward. One of the challenges I faced was balancing the emotional weight of the issues we were tackling with the need to remain positive and hopeful. Despite these challenges, I’m celebrating the progress we made in raising awareness and empowering youth to take action in their communities.
Inspiration: I chose this project because, in my personal experience, I had to commute 45 minutes every day from my community to access a quality education. Leaving my community was a daily challenge for me because I never had the opportunity to connect with fellow youth from my own community.
Future Plans: With my community engagement and social impact work, I hope to create opportunities for local youth, ensuring they don’t face the challenges I did in accessing education. My goal is to foster a supportive environment and empower them to thrive within their community.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Sociology
Minor: Business
Project: For my Puksta Project I want to research campus safety on campus. I believe for a student to be successful they have to feel safe on campus, being in an environment that is uncomfortable can take a mental toll on students.
Inspiration: I was inspired to work on this social issue due to my not feeling safe on campus, I then started talking to other students and noticed this wasn’t only affecting me but so many other students. I want my project to not only shed light on my issues but on others as well, I want my voice to be the voice for others as well.
Future Goals: I want to create an app where students have easier access to asking for help with a press of a button. There are a few blue lights on campus but not many students are aware of them, also having it on your phone is easily more accessible. This app will also be able to use discreetly to prioritize the students’ safety without having to call anyone.
Posted on November 1, 2023
Major: Computer Science
Project: I am considering a way to give accessible and portable wifi, including computers, to students who don’t have access to these commodities. These will help students with school, work, and everyday use.
Inspiration: During high school, I didn’t have my laptop. However, I received a computer from a class program I was in called kidsTek. I did well in the class, even receiving Student of the Year, and for being a good student, they gifted me a laptop, which I still use to this day.
Future Goals: I hope that students will have easy access to technology, which will enhance their educational life- and their life in general. Especially in our modern time, low-income families who don’t have access to technology fall behind in many opportunities. I wish to give them those opportunities.
