John Rodriguez

University of Colorado Boulder - 2029

Financial Literacy, Youth Mentoring, Economic Inequality

High School: DSST: Cedar High School

Major: Finance & Accounting

Project: For my Puksta Pathway, I plan to create a financial literacy initiative aimed at empowering underrepresented youth in low-income communities. Too often, students graduate high school without basic financial knowledge, which can lead to long-term cycles of debt and limited opportunity. My project will provide workshops, mentorship, and digital resources focused on essential topics like budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and understanding student loans. By making financial education more accessible and relatable, I hope to equip young people with the tools to build generational wealth and make confident, informed decisions about their future.

Looking Forward to in Puksta:What excites me most about being a Puksta Scholar is the opportunity to be part of a supportive community of changemakers who are just as passionate about social impact as I am. I’m looking forward to growing alongside other scholars, gaining mentorship, and turning my ideas into action with the guidance and resources the program provides.