Meet the Presidential Ambassadors!

I am an out-of-state student who came to CSU to venture outside of the small Alaskan town I was raised in. I was ready to experience life in a new area, and Fort Collins caught my attention from the start. Three years later, CSU still never disappoints!

I am currently working towards obtaining a Bachelor of Science in biology, but in addition to academics, I have a passion for giving back to this University and community. I am a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where I currently serve as the chapter president and have previously served as vice president of academic excellence. I had the honor of serving as the vice president of community development for the 2022 Panhellenic Council, am a current member of Order of Omega, and am entering my second year as a Presidential Ambassador.

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When I first visited CSU on a campus tour as a high school senior, I noticed the robust sense of community that exists. That sense of community has led me to feel supported as a student, as an individual, and as a leader; it makes me feel seen every day that I’m on this campus. That sense of support and the value of community at CSU is what makes me proud to call myself a CSU Ram!

I proudly serve as the student coordinator for Campus Visits and Tours with the Office of Admissions, which means I get the privilege to train our incredible team of Admissions Ambassadors who welcome our prospective students to campus. I also love to spend my winters racing for CSU’s Nordic Ski Club, representing our institution across the country in competitive, club ski racing. In addition, I serve on the Student Fee Review Board, providing oversight to how our student fees are used across campus.

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I wanted to travel out of state for college, but fortunately, a scholarship kept me in Colorado at CSU. I have built connections and fostered passions at CSU that have changed my life. I have prepared myself to become a physician of the future and truly developed into a civically minded adult through my time at the University.

On campus, I am the service director of Kappa Alpha Theta and a recruitment coach for the sorority community. I also participate in research in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. Off campus, I am a regular volunteer at the Food Bank for Larimer County and a certified nursing assistant in the Medical ICU at Medical Center of the Rockies. I have also participated in CSU’s sponsored study abroad program – Semester at Sea!

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My time at CSU has not been what I imagined. However, looking back on it from the final weeks to the late-night hangouts with friends, I would not change a thing. The community here at CSU inspires me to pursue my passions in both the research and clinical setting by igniting my desire to give back to a community that gave me so much.

My current involvements are, of course, my chair of engagement for the Presidential Ambassadors. Beyond that, I am an undergraduate research assistant as well as a member of the Biomedical Student Association, Pre-Medica, and Pre-Soma. Outside of school I have involved myself in my community by volunteering at local hospice houses while also working part time as a CNA for Columbine Health.

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I grew up in a small town in rural, northeastern Colorado where everyone knew everyone, and I experienced the same feeling when I first stepped onto the Colorado State University campus. I explored the beautiful campus, learned about the numerous opportunities available to students, and met with a few amazing CSU students. After that day, I knew that I wanted to be part of the CSU “Ramily” where people make lifelong connections and impact their community.

Serving my community is a strong aspect of who I am, and CSU has provided many different opportunities for me to make an impact. I have been able to work alongside other CSU students to tutor elementary students through the Triunfo Program, create opportunities for children as the operations coordinator for Camp Kesem, and work alongside other students in the Mountain View College Ministry. All these activities have allowed me to serve my community in a variety of ways, make connections with people from all walks of life, and learn skills that I will use for the rest of my life.

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My first two years at CSU have been a whirlwind of new experiences from independent living to research and more. However, I began to form a connection with CSU and its community at a young age when my mother was a student. Here, 14 years later, I walk along these same roads on which I used to play and can’t help but feel that I have found my way back home.

From getting involved in a research lab to presenting in the MURALS and CURC symposiums, I have been able to form deep connections with many students and staff in the biomedical and human nutrition departments on campus. Outside of science, I am a member of the CSU Honors Program, part of Club Heartbeat, a C4E member, a Gladys Eddy Scholar, a Reisher Scholar, and, of course, a Presidential Ambassador.

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When I started to look for colleges, I was looking for a community that could help me grow and develop in leadership and research. At CSU, I have been able to gain that and much more. As I continue at CSU, I have a community that supports me and encourages me to achieve my goals. CSU has allotted me the opportunity to be a leader and develop leadership skills that will help me be successful in my future endeavors.

I am currently one of the President Ambassador co-membership chairs. I am the president of the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement (SCLA). I am also a part of the KELP Lab that focuses on education of science communication and STEMM and am a teacher assistant for the College of Natural Sciences.

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I visited the Walter Scott Bioengineering building for the Introduce a Girl to Engineering event when I was 13 years old and was just as excited touring it four years later. After seeing the sense of community, support, and endless opportunities, I fell in love with CSU. Thanks to this outreach event a few years ago, I found my passions and my future school.

As an undergraduate, I’m involved in bone regeneration research at Biomaterials Research and Engineering Laboratory. I’m also involved in Society of Women Engineers as their outreach coordinator and the Introduce a Girl to Engineering Planning Committee as a logistics chair member. Now, I have the privilege of being a Presidential Ambassador!

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I applied to 28 schools, spanning from Washington State to Florida and just about everywhere in between. When I was offered the Monfort Scholarship, I deeply appreciated Colorado State University’s belief in me, and I wanted to believe in them. I gave it a shot, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

If you’re ever looking for me, I’m probably in the D-wing of the engineering building where I assist in research to improve the precision of optical atomic clocks and further the understanding of quantum physics. I also proudly hold two officer positions for CSU’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In addition to my on-campus involvements, I founded and operate the Equality at the Plate Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which works to increase access to youth sports for low income and minority families.

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Growing up along much of the Front Range, my first job was working at a large nursery and garden center in the Denver Metro where I would shadow our “plant doctors” who stayed up to date using the CSU extension. This experience drew me to CSU, and in my decision to return to school as a nontraditional student, I am not only grateful for all of my opportunities in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, but proud to also represent the Wolves to Rams community as they helped transfer from Front Range Community College.

So far, my journey at CSU has included working at the Engineering Success Center front desk, engaging in many of CSU’s engineering events on and off campus, and participating in the Wolves to Rams NIH funded Research Traineeship. Outside of class, I have attended multiple conventions for advocacy organizations as a scholarship recipient, am president of the NFB NoCO (National Federation of the Blind of Northern Colorado) chapter, and am a proud ambassador for Leader Dogs for the Blind with my guide dog Fletcher.

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After I graduated from Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, I was ready to move out of Colorado and had committed to play soccer at East Carolina University in North Carolina. However, when COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation, I decided to stay closer to home and switched enrollments. I walked on to the CSU soccer team before ever seeing CSU in person. That was the best decision I have ever made, and from day one I fell in love with everything this University has to offer!

I am an active cadet in the Air Force ROTC program here at CSU. I am also vice president of a community service organization called Silver Wings and am an assistant editor for the Journal of Undergraduate Research. I also work as a biochemistry tutor for TILT and as a teaching assistant for the Principles of Human Physiology course.

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Upon committing to play softball for CSU my sophomore year of high school, I was overcome by the beauty of the city and campus, not to mention the amazing academics and well-known agricultural program. Through CSU, I have found a passion for social justice, politics, environmental impacts of agriculture, and diving deeper into discussions about the changes our generation will be making in the future. I have a deep passion for agriculture, its movement towards sustainability, and bettering the environment for generations of farmers and consumers.

During my freshman year, I was chosen to be an eco leader, which focused on improving sustainability qualities in residence halls and actively worked with residents to encourage implementing sustainable practices into their everyday life. As a sophomore, junior, and senior, I have worked as a KEY athlete mentor, where I helped mentor freshman athletes as they faced their first year of college and the inevitable struggles that come with being a student and an athlete. I am also an employee of the CSU Fueling Stations which focus on implementing daily nutrition and education into athletes’ livelihoods.

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Coming from out of state, I was nervous. I knew how beautiful CSU is, but what I did not know was that I would be joining a true family of Rams. Throughout my two years at CSU, I have been supported to pursue my academic and athletic goals by my peers and professors. I can confidently say that Rams truly go above and beyond for each other, and the connections I have made with current Rams and alumni will be long-lasting. I am grateful to be a part of this family and the opportunities it has given me. 

I love soccer and am able to represent CSU and its values as a player on CSU’s NCAA Division I soccer team. I am excited to grow my leadership skills as the president of Chabad at CSU for 2023-2024. In addition, I am a member of the Hidden Opponent, a club that spreads awareness and support for  student-athletes’ mental health. Each of these positions has allowed me to develop personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing that growth.

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Growing up in a rural community with an interest in agriculture, I felt immediately included and welcomed into the Aggie family that practiced leadership, stewardship, and service. As I work towards a professional career in the animal industry, I could not be more grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have been given at CSU and I can only hope to continue to give back to multiple communities in the future.

With a goal of veterinary school, I knew I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity I could to be involved and gain experience. I immediately found a home within the College of Agricultural Sciences, where I served as an Agricultural Ambassador and held multiple positions as a teaching assistant. I later dove into an internship with therapeutic horses, volunteered in research with dairy calves, and became a student intern at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the livestock department.

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I became a Ram because the CSU community is composed of many great people, and their passion for different things inspires me to continue in my journey to becoming a physician. The endless support from everyone at CSU is what makes our community thrive, and it is apparent everywhere on campus. I have always been curious about all science-related topics, and CSU has so much research which was alluring to me!

I am a part of the Garrity lab where I assist in developmental biology tasks to analyze cardiac embryonic development. Another part of my involvement at CSU is as the president of the Student Health Advisory Committee relaying desires of the student body to the health network. I spent my summer as a camp counselor for children who experienced serious illnesses to provide medically safe and fun activities for campers.

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After five years of service in the Marine Corps, I decided that I wanted to pursue higher education. Being the first in my family to attend college, I felt that it was only right to return to Colorado. My decision to attend CSU was also based on the positive impressions shared by friends who had previously attended.

Aside from my neuroscience coursework, I’m currently working as an undergraduate research assistant with the Foy Laboratory at the Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases. Prior to research, I spent the last two years working as a PCA and QMAP for Columbine Health. This year, I hope to start mentoring young adults in underrepresented communities.