Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Psychology
Project: Some ideas I have for my pathway are something related to immigration. it can either be providing resources or food or providing information for people who want to become residents.
Inspiration: What inspired me was my own family. My dad is in the process of hopefully becoming a resident and my brother is in the DACA program. Also, I recently went to El Paso, Texas and I saw a lot of people from Central and South America in Juarez, Chihuahua, and on the border on El Paso and saw how people were struggling to survive in the cold and had no shelter and asking for people for money.
Future Plans: I hope to accomplish more awareness and people to learn how long and difficult the process of becoming a resident/citizen is. Many people don’t know the laws like I didn’t know and know the conditions of people who barely cross the border to the US.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Architecture and Planning
Project: I am hoping to learn how to best give these resources out to local towns and maybe even get a stronger engagement with the people in each neighborhood! I am currently researching how best to engage people to come together, as well as talk with government agencies with a powerful voice.
Inspiration: I was shocked to learn how many people did not know about redlining and the systemic issues that shaped where people live in this state. Many don’t know about the resources they have so they aren’t forced to move, and I want more regulation on the amount of gentrification that has been happening to Coloradans.
Future Plans: I hope to slow the ongoing displacement happening and raise awareness of the devastating impacts it has on the economy and local people.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Psychology
Project: I want to provide an educational foundation as well as job preparation for the community by developing a mutual aid with volunteer teachers and career counselors. I would like to develop this program so it could be made available to vulnerable populations such as formerly or presently incarcerated individuals. If possible, I would also like to get the program approved as a sentencing diversion program making it an alternative to traditional criminal sentencing.
Inspiration: I was inspired to pursue this when I took an introductory class in forensic psychology, which taught me the correlation between education and crime as well as the immense racial and mental health disparities in the criminal justice system. These issues quickly became important to me because I felt that I could help change them with the career I am pursuing within the criminal justice field.
Future Goals: I hope to create more free education opportunities for people that have been negatively impacted by the criminal justice system and other racially inequitable systems.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Construction Management, Minor in Entrepreneurship
Project: Finding a possibility of reusing construction material rather than it just being thrown out. Anything from drywall, and plywood to cabinets, and more, etc. After the material is damaged, just barely or even left over. A lot of times it is thrown out rather than saved or recycled.
Inspiration: I began working construction in September 2021 and was surprised when they’d tell me, “just throw it out”, and it could be material that was still good for a purpose. Maybe not at the time, but eventually it could have been used or rather donated somewhere to be used.
Future Goals: I’d like to reach out to an organization that has begun doing such things already, One I have found in the Denver area is “Perks Deconstruction”, which focuses on salvaging material during demolitions. I’d like to work alongside a group such as theirs to help push the thought of saving material even more.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Studio Art
Project: I hope to develop a project to celebrate, protect, and project the voices, identities, and stories of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people through the arts and literature. I would also love to explore this with a focus on Arab/Arab American identities.
Inspiration: I have always navigated the world through stories. Whether through books, movies, cartoons, or graphic novels I have been able to make the experience of my world richer by indulging in the creativity and stories of people from all stretches of life even if I was just at home. Art is powerful and it has moved me to care for so much of our world and I hope that I can contribute to that so that our world can be more compassionate, fun, and equitable.
Future Plans: I hope that whatever work I choose to do helps strengthen communities, fights against erasure, and moves LGBTQ+ and BIPOC resistance and pride forward.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Real Estate and Built Environment
Project: This year I truly want to focus on helping incoming first-generation college students with the college process! I am trying to find an internship that will help me connect with these students, I am focusing on the Denver Public School district because of its high rate of first-generation students!
Inspiration: As a first-generation student myself, I want to help others figure out their pathway to/ with college. The whole college process was very difficult for me and I had to go through it alone because it was something new for myself and both of my parents. It was stressful and overwhelming and I hope to take those feelings away for other students in the same circumstance.
Future Plans: I hope to help as many students as I can figure out how to fill out all different kinds of college documents, apply to colleges, sign up for campus tours, and ultimately help them figure out their next steps after high school.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Finance
Project: My goal is to ensure that youth from all backgrounds have equal access to physical and outdoor education. Inspired by the principles instilled in me at the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL), which places a strong emphasis on outdoor education, I aim to partner with organizations to expand access to such programs. By collaborating with institutions like RMSEL and advocating for resources, including scholarships and inclusive programming, I strive to make outdoor education more accessible to underserved communities.
Inspiration: Growing up attending RMSEL, I developed a profound appreciation for the transformative power of outdoor education. From hiking to environmental stewardship, these experiences not only shaped my worldview but also fostered invaluable skills and connections to nature. I am motivated to extend these opportunities to all youth, regardless of their background, ensuring that every child can benefit from the joys and lessons of outdoor education.
Future Goals: My vision involves working closely with organizations and schools, leveraging my financial background to secure funding and support for initiatives that promote equitable access to physical and outdoor education. By advocating for policies and partnerships that prioritize inclusivity and affordability, I aspire to pave the way for a future where every young person has the chance to explore, learn, and grow in the great outdoors.
Posted on November 28, 2022
Major: Psychology & Gender and Women’s Studies
Project: I am currently working with a few different organizations in Colorado to create safe spaces for LGBT and BIPOC youth and allies to learn and gain access to resources. I’ve also started my own art business where I donate proceeds to local organizations that amplify QTBIPOC voices and share resources like transition funds and clothing swaps that are helpful for those in need
Inspiration: I grew up with my grandparents who immigrated to the US during the Vietnam War. Because of this, I didn’t have access to the education and support that I needed as a queer transgender man and it made growing up really hard for me. Through an online community of Trans and queer individuals, I was able to get the support I needed to be able to be the most authentic version of myself and knew I wanted to do the same for others.
Future Plans: I hope to create safe places for youth to gain the knowledge and support they need to be the best versions of themselves. Finding ways to make healthcare (both mental and physical) more accessible, connecting with the community, and sharing resources that are helpful, but hidden, are my big goals
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Social Work
Project: Hostile architecture is negatively impacting where and how people experiencing homelessness get to live. My goal is to shift the funding that is put towards this kind of architecture towards resources more beneficial to the impacted people.
Inspiration: Volunteering at food banks has allowed me to see the different kinds of people that are struggling, even within the small town where I come from where I thought everybody was financially stable. It makes me want to help these people live comfortably and safely.
Future Goals: I want to get more funding put towards homeless shelters in Denver or other major resources that they could use day-to-day.
Posted on December 31, 2021
Major: Social Work
Project: I would like to maintain and expand my non-profit, JWB Recovery, which provides free support, treatment, and field trips for anyone struggling with addiction as well as their friends and family.
Inspiration: I have lost two uncles to addiction and have several other family members who have struggled.
Future Goals: I hope to educate the community and work to de-stigmatize addiction while providing accessible, successful treatment options.
Please visit jwbrecovery.com for more information
