Scholar / Project
Major: Engineering
Project: Helping kids get out of gangs and better their lives.
Inspiration: Because I was once in their shoes, I used to be like that but I changed… so they can too.
Future Plans: To show kids that it is not the only option, we can break the cycle.
Major: Mathematics
Project: I am looking for ways to support non-traditional immigrant students in pursuing a higher education and developing their expertise in the United States.
Inspiration: As an immigrant, I have seen so many barriers or it being impossible for immigrants to pursue a higher education whether it is economically or for not having a legal status here in the United States, and also to even have the chance to develop their expertise.
Future Plans: I want to develop a method by which non-traditional immigrant students can pursue higher education and at the same time, gain a work permit to develop their expertise and eventually get legal status in the U.S.
Major: Business Administration – Concentration in Finance and International Business
Project: The primary problem that my research aims to address is the complex interplay between acculturation, co-ethnic ties, and their impact on substance use among immigrant students in the United States
Inspiration: I was inspired by personal experience. As an immigrant student myself, I had trouble adjusting to life in the U.S. and turned away from my culture towards some negative influences. I’ve noticed this as a common thing in immigrant students my age and wanted to understand it a little more.
Future Plans: I hope to create more effective support programs in schools and communities so that healthcare providers can be more understanding of the unique challenges immigrant students face.
Major: Sociology
Project: Learning how to respond to overdoses, to then continue teaching others.
Inspiration: I have seen a lot of people around me struggle with substance abuse without adequate care. It is not spoken about enough, especially in minority communities.
Future Plans: I hope to see an open dialogue about substance abuse. I want to see those struggling to receive the help they need.
Major: Pre-Nursing
Project: For my putska pathway and project I want to volunteer or create a program that helps veterans’ mental health and more recourses for on-campus life that veterans have more access to and are aware of programs that can benefit their overall well-being.
Inspiration: What inspired me to choose this project was because of my dad he served in the military and I was going in and out of the hospitals with him I have seen how much the military impacted his life physically and mentally and the lack of resources he had access to he passed away from cardiac arrest which brings me interest to help others.
Future Plans: I hope to help veterans and hopefully support them with their mental health by creating a program or bringing more awareness to programs that already exist on campus.
Major: Social Work and Minor in Entrepreneurship
Project: I’m planning on bringing awareness on homelessness and find a way to supply any necessities for those in need.
Inspiration: I took a social work class and homelessness is a current issue in Colorado. I want to support those who are experiencing homelessness.
Future Goals: I hope to build experiences to make myself more prepared for the social work field. Also, I hope to learn new things and expand on it
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.
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.
Major: Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology and a minor in Political Science
Project: Develop stricter and more organized regulations in my community to reduce the chances of gun violence. Supporting gun violence survivors.
Inspiration: My family was a victim of gun violence and we never got the justice we deserved. Also, we live in a world of uncertainty and fear so it’s important to address the bigger issues that add to that fear.
Future Goals: I want to be a tiny part of the change to make the world a better place in terms of gun violence. I want to help bring a little bit of ease and peace back to people in my communities.
Major: Internacional Studies
Project: My project is bringing awareness and acknowledgment to the immigrant community through their stories. My vision, by sharing these stories, is diverse but the ideas are set on either creating a book, publishing them somewhere, do a research question on immigration and answer it with the immigrant stories or find ways to use the stories as new defining ways to better help the immigrant community. This year, I joined the youth organizing committee with Stacie Gilmore in my community where we identified issues in our community and ways we want to work on to improve them.
Inspiration: I come from a majority immigrant community, my parents are immigrants and I have met closely with other immigrants and heard their stories on what it took to get here. Being so close to this issue and seeing how my community is impacted every day drives me to aim for education and help them.
Future Goals: With my community and social impact work I hope to make resources for health care, immigration services and more accessible and easy to approach. But as well I want to make myself a person they can approach for help. I want to make myself a resource.
