UHL Class of 2024

Lareina Alvarez is graduating with a degree in Biology and a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods. During her time at CU, she worked as a research assistant in a behavioral neuroscience lab. Here, she conducted studies that explored how pharmacological manipulation and activation of midbrain dopamine neurons can be novel in preventing behaviors such as anxiety and depression. Lareina is passionate about supporting students in academia and is continuing her education at Vanderbilt, after a gap year.

Sakthi is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry and minors in Leadership Studies and Political Science. During her time at CU Denver, Sakthi sought out experiences that pushed her out of her comfort zone from volunteering with survivors of interpersonal violence to laboratory research about ACL and MMT injuries, to educating Colorado youth about sexual health and HIV prevention. Sakthi found a passion for working with people, even when they are scared or at their most vulnerable. She is excited about everything she will learn when she begins medical school at the CU Anschutz in the fall.

Sean, of Minnesota, will earn a degree in criminal justice with minors in computer science and leadership studies. While at CU Denver he was co-captain and vice president for CU Denver Men’s Basketball Club and served on the Student Government Association (SGA). He completed several internships, including working as a homicide research intern and as a pre-law intern at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. He is the recipient of two MILO Awards, including the Lifetime Lynx Award, and was recognized for his participation in the Civics Committee of the Student Government Association. This summer he will begin work for the juvenile courts in Denver and plans to attend law school.

Jordan is graduating with a degree in Public Health. While attending CU Denver, she spent time as a research assistant, working at CU Anschutz and with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement dental care in school-based health centers. She also worked on campus at the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Life and Wellness Center and as an ophthalmic technician at Arvada Vision and Eye Clinic. Jordan is passionate about health equity and plans to pursue a career advocating for food justice.

Rose is working towards a Bachelor’s of 3D Graphics and Animation with a minor in Honors and Leadership. Rose is excited about continuing their journey of creative collaboration at CU Denver. After this semester, they will continue to pursue their degree and look for internships within the video game design industry.

Hannah is graduating with a degree in architectural design, and a minor in leadership studies. During her academic career at CU Denver, Hannah spent her days studying, designing, model-making, and learning. She also worked as a research assistant and is currently collaborating on multiple projects. At CU Denver, Hannah fell in love with the creative process and is looking forward to beginning some independent projects and working within a firm during a gap year. After that, she intends to continue her architectural studies by pursuing a master's in architecture or urban planning.

Uyanga graduated from Northern Virginia Community College. She will be graduating from University of Colorado Denver with a degree in Bioengineering and minor in Leadership and Honors. During her time in Colorado, she has made many meaningful connections and memories while exploring different parts of the state. She hopes to contribute to research with the goal of helping people with neurodegenerative diseases.

 

Ana is a first-generation college graduate, earning a degree in Economics, Cum Laude, with a minor in Honors and Leadership Studies. During her time at the university, she was a FirstBank Scholarship recipient and made the Dean’s List each semester. She also worked at UHL, supporting students and bringing her friends to the UHL house to be loud. This summer, she will be interning with Amwins Insurance Brokerage. She would like to thank her family for pushing her to do her best and teaching her to work hard, as she wouldn’t be here without them.

Celeste is graduating with a degree in Architectural Studies and minors in Interior Design and Leadership Studies. During her time at CU Denver, she studied abroad with the Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy. She also presented at the American Association of Geographers, 2024 annual meeting, presenting her undergraduate research about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the effectiveness of climate youth activists in advocating for this treaty. This opportunity came about from the Climate Justice elective offered by the UHL program, which instilled in Celeste the passion of sustainability within the built environment. Celeste will be applying for graduate programs in Urban and Regional Planning.

Xavian is graduating with a degree in history and a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods. As a student at CU Denver, Xavian was able overcome the challenges of learning with ADHD. During his time at CU Denver, he developed a fascination with Constitutional Law. After a gap year he will either be commissioned into the Army as an officer or attend law school.

Alyssa is graduating with a degree in Biology, a minor in Honors and Leadership studies, and is on the pre-health track. During her time at CU Denver, Alyssa was able to share her love for science and health practice through an internship at Anschutz that included working on projects for breast cancer patients, pediatric lupus patients, and patients with brain tumors. She served on the executive board for Alpha Phi as a new member educator and likes to volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission. Alyssa plans on using her EMT license to help underserved communities and is applying to medical school.

Hiba earned a degree in information systems and a minor in leadership studies. She held multiple roles on campus, including as a senator for the Student Government Association and as a student assistant in the Business School’s Dean’s Office. She was also president of Women in Business and Vice President of the Information Systems Association. Hiba interned at Deloitte and Comcast. She is continuing her education as part of the 4+1 Masters program at CU Denver, with a specialization in Business Intelligence.

Ben is graduating with a degree in Recording Art, a minor in Music Industry Studies, a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods, and is in the process of acquiring a master’s degree in Recording Arts. He currently works as a live sound engineer, stage manager, venue security guard, and production tech around Colorado. Ben has always held a deep passion for music and is very excited to explore career options, whether they be studio mixing, broadcast, live sound, etc.

Shay is graduating with a degree in Biology and a minor in Leadership Studies. During her time at CU Denver, Shay explored her interests in research and the dental field. She has conducted research at CU Anschutz medical campus, researching the correlation between cardiac arrest and memory in neonatal rats. Her interest in research allowed her to become a BRAiN Neuroscience Scholar and a MARC Scholar. Shay has a deep passion for the field of dentistry and will be attending dental school. Her dedication to serving the community drives her to pursue her aspirations in dentistry with integrity and empathy.

Manaar is a first-generation Pakistani-American student graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Health and a minor in Leadership Studies. In addition to her studies at CU Denver, Manaar was able to represent and advocate for the Muslim student body on campus by serving as president of the Auraria Muslim Student Association and being a founding member of Mu Delta Alpha. She was also heavily involved with Anschutz Medical Campus as a CU Pre-Health Scholar, Undergraduate Pre-Health Program scholar, and a student assistant for the Educational Outreach and Pathways Initiative. She was also a student public health researcher focusing on South Asian colonial-based predispositions and success with COVID-19 in the Global South. Manaar will be pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at Anschutz Medical Campus in the Fall.

Mercy is graduating with a degree in Sociology, a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods, and certificates in Community Health and Medicine, and Justice Allyship, Diversity, and Equity. She has a passion for social justice and has been working on a Black maternal health research project that focuses on the inequities Black mothers face in the Colorado healthcare system. She is a McNair Scholar, a EUReCA grant recipient, and also interned at a non-profit and at the Colorado Capitol. She also loves being involved in the community and was the president of the African Student Union and a founding member of the CU Denver Sociology Club. Mercy's long-term goal is to attend graduate school and conduct research that will positively impact her community.

Maydha is a bioengineering student. While pursuing her degree, she lost several of her friends, thus refocusing her energy to uplift underrepresented minorities through founding her organization, Diversity Inclusion Support and Activism (DISA) and researching sex differences in heart failure, as women are under studied in the medical field. She found methods to take care of herself mentally and physically such as hiking with her mom and powerlifting.

Leisa will be graduating with a bachelor's in philosophy and a minor in Honors and Leadership. She is simultaneously enrolled in the 4+1 program and is pursuing a Masters in Humanities with a focus on Philosophy and Social Justice. Once she completes the program Leisa intends to enroll in a dual J.D./Ph.D. program. She made the dean's list each semester at CU Denver, is Vice President of the philosophy club, and participated in the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. Her ultimate career goal is to work in politics advocating for marginalized communities.

Sarah is graduating with a degree in International Business and a minor in Leadership Studies. She is French and Colombian and after traveling the world for a couple of years, she came to the US to learn how American business is conducted. In addition to being a full-time student, Sarah worked part-time at different jobs while integrating into a new country and culture. She was accepted into the MS program of Sustainable Business, where she hopes to make her career about working for the greater good. 

Chloe is graduating with dual majors in English and Political Science and a minor in Honors and Leadership. During her time at CU Denver, Chloe worked as the Editor-in-Chief of The Sentry, where she led a team of editors and freelancers in a redesign and remarket of the student publication. She also worked as the Co-Editor of Praxis, CU Denver’s student political science journal, where she chose and edited the essays. Chloe also interned with Senate President, Steve Fenberg at the Colorado Capitol. Throughout her college experience, Chloe wanted to diversify and expand her education and connections while remaining passionate about writing, social justice, and leadership. Chloe plans to attend law school, specializing in First Amendment law in the hope of protecting free speech.

Jason is graduating with a degree in architecture and minors in landscape architecture, leadership studies, and general music. At CU Denver, Jason was able to help others through his multiple positions as the program manager of health promotions, lifeguard, and lab assistant at the college of architecture and planning. He contributed to improving the CU Denver food pantry, building health and wellness programs for students, as well as conducting outreach on campus for these things. He spent two semesters studying German language and plans to use his new skill when visiting family in Germany. Jason is accepted to graduate school for architecture and will study abroad in Japan later this month. After grad school, Jason plans on attaining his architecture license as well as continuing with his love of music.

Upasana is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in multidisciplinary research methods. Alongside her studies at CU Denver, she was also involved in teaching organic chemistry labs and participating in cancer research. She believes these experiences provided perspective on education and helped her become a better student. She plans to finish her Masters in Biochemistry and pursue a career in medicine. Owing to her family’s own experience with healthcare disparities as Nepali immigrants, she hopes to help eliminate such disparities, especially associated with language in immigrant healthcare.

Jordan is graduating from CU Denver in Recording Arts and a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods, marking the culmination of her academic journey filled with exploration and achievement. Throughout her tenure at the university, she has not only honed her technical skills but also discovered a profound passion for audio research. As she embarks on the next phase of her life, Jordan eagerly anticipates gaining practical experience in the workforce before she takes the leap into law school.

Reggie is graduating with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Multidisciplinary Research Methods. During her time at CU Denver, she volunteered as a camp counselor at a week-long camp for foster and adopted kids. She currently works overnight shifts as a nursing assistant at University Hospital and plans to apply for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Reggie is proud of how far she has come and grown since immigrating from the Philippines eight years ago. Having the courage to uproot her life and make a home in the US wouldn't have been possible without a loving support system, and for them, she is forever grateful.

Luis is a first-generation Peruvian student graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with minors in History and Leadership Studies. During his time at CU Denver, Luis has been involved in many campus activities to support fellow students. He worked at the UHL house supporting the honors community, was president of the CU Public Health Association, worked on a research project with funding from EUReCA, and was the recipient of the Outstanding Public Health B.S. undergraduate Award. Luis has completed research on a variety of minority communities like immigrant and Latina communities and hopes to apply his experiences to a future in healthcare. Luis plans to attend medical school with his family's guiding light encouraging him, and be a force for change in immigrant health.

 

Stefanie is graduating with a degree in Public Health and a minor in Leadership Studies. During her time at CU Denver, she worked with immigrant and first-generation high school students in the CU Pre-Health Scholars Program. She was also an advisor for freshmen, helping them transition from high school to college as a Peer Advocate Leader. She is currently conducting clinical research in the Ophthalmology lab at the CU Anschutz campus and is part of Dr. Ramirez’s Civic Engagement and Climate Justice lab, researching the effects of El Nino in Ecuador. Stefanie will be applying to medical school and gaining clinical experience during a gap year.

Katlyn is graduating with a degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Multidisciplinary Research Methods. While at CU, she participated in research as a part of the ISCORE program in the department of pharmacology and is also working at Exsera Biolabs on the Anschutz medical campus. After graduating she plans to take a gap year before applying to graduate school.

 

Lacee is graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice, a minor in Psychology, and a minor in Honors and Leadership. At CU Denver, she was able to meet new peers and cultivate friendships, was a member of the African Student Union, and a desk assistant at the CU Denver residence halls. Lacee is taking a gap year to study for the LSAT and gain additional work experience. She is planning on applying to law school and using her degree in either civil defense or in a specialized court focused on mental health. 

Hailey is graduating with a degree in Psychology, and a minor in Leadership Studies. She has focused on her education and spending time with friends and family. After graduation she is going to work before returning to school for her Masters, with the goal of becoming a therapist.

Anissa is graduating with a major in political science and a minor in leadership studies. After graduating, she hopes to go to law school to continue pursuing her goal of becoming a criminal defense attorney. Growing up in an immigrant family who was the only family of color in their neighborhood, schools, and surrounding area, she has decided to dedicate her work towards helping eliminate inequities and discriminatory practices in the justice system. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing ultimate frisbee, teaching her dog new tricks which he won’t actually learn, drawing, and baking.