By Bruce Hallmark (M.S., ’04)
Dr. Jacqueline Voss began working as a staff psychologist at Colorado State University’s Counseling Center in 1991. She became the coordinator of the Behavioral Health Program in 2009, and a year later, the assistant director and training director of the program. She also taught both in-person and online courses in the Department of Psychology.
Those roles were challenging and fulfilling, yet Voss experienced the greatest joy of her career at CSU serving as the liaison for Counseling Services to the Native American Cultural Center and was instrumental in the creation of the North Star Peer Mentoring Program.
Her experience working with students and staff at the NACC were so meaningful that when she retired in 2017, she and husband, Dr. Roy Campbell, established the Jacqueline R. Voss Native American Student Scholarship.
“Jacqueline was very involved in our office and advocating for underrepresented students,” said Ty Smith, a member of the Navajo Nation and director of NACC. “This scholarship is her way of continuing to give to our office.”
The need-based scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are either enrolled citizens in a federally recognized Indian tribe or demonstrate ancestry or affiliation with a federally recognized Indian tribe. It has thus far benefited nearly 20 students.
One of those students is Destinee Danks, who is of Navajo/Mohave ancestry and spent her early years in Window Rock on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. “Having the Voss scholarship helps me not stress and worry constantly about whether I’m going to have enough money to pay for my classes,” said Danks, a junior studying zoology. “It helps me focus on my studies and what I want to strive for in the future.”
Danks’ career ambition is to work at the zoo in the Navajo Nation or at one of two zoos in the Phoenix area where she attended school. “I love wildlife and learning how we’re all connected. Good zoos make a difference and help save animals, especially those animals threatened with extinction by helping to repopulate them.”
The recent passage of Colorado Senate Bill 29, which offers in-state college tuition for members of Native American tribes with historical ties to Colorado, extends the provisions of CSU’s existing Native American Legacy Award.
“We now have a lot more support,” said Danks. “The NALA and the Voss scholarship, combined, cover my remaining expenses, which is a big relief.”
Like Voss, Smith is personally involved with students and sees the many benefits of reducing their financial burdens. “The Native American Cultural Center has a long-standing relationship with Jacque,” he said, “and we’re so appreciative that her gift just keeps on giving and allowing us to assist more students.”
Learn More
November is Native American Heritage Month. Learn more about CSU’s Native American Cultural Center and the Jacqueline R. Voss Native American Student Scholarship.