Diversity

CU Boulder among top colleges for Indigenous students

Charles Ferrer — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:34:04 +0000

CU Boulder among top colleges for Indigenous students Charles Ferrer Wed, 11/13/2024 - 13:34

Charles Ferrer

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) has recognized CU Boulder as one of the top 200 colleges for Indigenous students in its 2024-2025 national rankings.

CU Boulder's AISES chapter attends the 2024 national AISES Conference in San Antonio.

AISES, a national organization dedicated to increasing Indigenous representation in STEM fields, evaluated schools based on the strength of their support programs for Native students, as well as undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates.

The AISES chapter at CU Boulder serves as a community for Indigenous students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and across campus, connecting those interested in STEM and supporting them academically and professionally. This recognition reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to fostering an environment where Indigenous students can thrive in STEM—a commitment embodied by the leaders of its AISES chapter.

Noelle Bagola, the chapter’s treasurer, said her journey with AISES has empowered her professionally and personally.

“Being part of AISES allowed me to grow as a leader,” she said.

Through her involvement, Bagola developed skills in areas she once found challenging, like connecting with professionals at conferences and building strong peer relationships.

“Now, I feel confident communicating with people and stepping up to help others. Becoming a leader has been my biggest accomplishment with AISES.”

For Shellene Redhorse, AISES chapter president and a third-year aerospace engineering student, the chapter’s impact extends beyond CU Boulder’s campus.

“A lot of what AISES does is about supporting our members and the Indigenous community,” she said. “The Indigenous community at CU Boulder may be small, and the STEM students within that community are even more rare, but we are here.”

One of her proudest achievements was taking students to this year’s national AISES conference in San Antonio, where they connected with other Native scientists. Redhorse also highlighted the chapter’s outreach to Indigenous students in Denver, where they host hands-on STEM activities, including rocketry demonstrations at Lake Middle School.

“We’re hoping to inspire middle-schoolers by showing them what a future in STEM could look like,” she said.

“When I was in school, I didn’t think a STEM career was possible for me until I got to work on hands-on projects. I know many Native students don’t have those opportunities, so we’re working to change that.”

Looking forward, AISES aims to establish a more permanent support network for Native students in Denver, opening more pathways into STEM fields.

Indigenous Knowledge and STEM

AISES participated in the 2023 First Nations Launch as the ‘CU Trailblazers’, sweeping first place in all their categories and a grand prize trip to the Kennedy Space Center.

Both Bagola and Redhorse draw from Indigenous knowledge to inform their approach to STEM.

Redhorse, who is of Navajo (Diné) and Chickasaw descent, described how her cultural heritage shapes her engineering perspective.

“In our culture, we observe nature closely—how animals act, how weather patterns shift, even how the stars guide us. Our ancestors used this knowledge for everything from growing crops to building structures,” she said.

Inspired by these traditions, she incorporates Indigenous wisdom into school projects.

“I remember building a small rover in sixth grade based on how a beetle moved away from light. It’s that respect for nature and deep observation that really inspires me.”

Redhorse often reflects on Navajo understandings of stars and space, which she sees as especially relevant to her studies in aerospace. She also appreciates Indigenous approaches to sustainability, noting how Native architecture adapts to harsh climates in environmentally mindful ways.

“Whether it’s the way water moves around structures or how a hogan—a traditional dwelling and ceremonial structure—retains heat, these hold incredible value in my engineering work.”

Bagola, an integrative physiology student and a member of the Navajo (Diné) and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, finds similar connections in her field.

“For us, health is not just physical—it’s about mind, spirit, and experience,” she explained.

“Indigenous medicine, like using sweat lodges, plays an important role in healing. Staying connected with your spirit is essential to being truly healthy.”

Community and Advice for Indigenous STEM Students

“AISES is a really welcoming community for Native students here at CU,” Redhorse said. “It’s a safe space where we can connect, share and rejuvenate. Our meetings are open to anyone, you don’t have to be Native. We welcome anyone who wants to learn about our culture and support us.”

Campus Organizations and Community Resources

Like Bagola, Redhorse also said her involvement with AISES has helped her grow as a leader. Recently, she was invited to welcome the keynote speakers at CU Boulder’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day plenary event—a role she could not have imagined for herself as a first-year student.

Chantal Baca, academic services manager for the BOLD Center, has served as the AISES faculty advisor for the past academic year. She noted the inclusive community for Indigenous students and credits AISES’ executive student board and members over the last five years.

“The AISES chapter is a remarkable group of student leaders who embody the vision, achievement and STEM student success,” said Baca. “Their membership has made a significant impact in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.”

Student leaders offer heartfelt advice to Indigenous students interested in STEM.

“It’s OK to feel alone sometimes, but find your community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Bagola. “Joining AISES helped me step out of my comfort zone, gain confidence and start reaching out to my professors and others in my field.”

“In engineering, there were five women in a room of 50 students—and being Native added another layer,” said Redhorse. “But, I’d tell anyone in that position: keep going.”

“Our people are resilient, and if you push through and find your community, you’ll thrive.”

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society has recognized CU Boulder as a top college for Indigenous students in its 2024-2025 national rankings.

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Pioneering sodium-ion batteries: a sustainable energy alternative

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:12:55 +0000

Pioneering sodium-ion batteries: a sustainable energy alternative Charles Ferrer Mon, 11/11/2024 - 10:12

Charles Ferrer

Kangmin working in the battery glovebox under the direction of Dr. Ban.

CU Boulder researchers are exploring the use of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

While sodium is abundant and could help address supply chain issues linked to lithium scarcity, current sodium-ion batteries have not performed as well as lithium-ion batteries due to their lower energy density and shorter lifespans.

To tackle these challenges, Chunmei Ban, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and her research team are developing new electrolytes and studying how they interact with battery electrodes to enhance performance and longevity.

Funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, this work aims to improve the overall effectiveness of sodium-ion batteries making them a more viable energy storage option.

Ban notes that sodium, widely distributed in the Earth’s crust, is an appealing candidate for large-scale energy storage solutions and is an emerging market in the United States.

“The sodium-ion battery market provides significant opportunities for new companies and a pathway to domestic manufacturing dominance,” said Ban. “Sodium may offer a potential remedy to concerns over resource scarcity with lithium-ion batteries.”

Researching battery alternatives

Kangmin Kim, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and BOLD Scholar, participated in the research project through CU SPUR gaining hands-on experience in hopes to further his research interest in battery technologies for graduate school.

“Lithium battery technology is reaching a point where improvements are becoming more incremental than transformative,” said Kim, “so we need alternative renewable technologies that we can rely on.”

Kangmin completes a summer research experience on sodium-ion batteries.

He believes improved battery technology is essential for advancing society and fostering a more sustainable energy future.

“We will need these improved battery technologies for everything from electric vehicles to drones and cell phones,” he said.

Through Kim’s research experience, he developed battery fabrication skills and learned the importance of precision and attention to detail in creating high-quality batteries.

“The lab work was actually quite similar to cooking, which is an activity I love to do,” said Kim. “Knowing what ingredients we need, what precautions must be taken, what tools and techniques are used are just like working in the lab.”

In mentoring students like Kim, Ban highlights how fulfilling it is to work with students who demonstrate a strong passion for science and technology and eagerness to learn.

“It has been a rewarding experience to witness undergraduate students like Kangmin grow their research and scientific skills in helping to solve some of our major global challenges.”

CU Boulder researchers are exploring the use of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

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How to land an internship: Tips from the Society of Women Engineers

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:41:05 +0000

How to land an internship: Tips from the Society of Women Engineers Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/21/2024 - 09:41

Charles Ferrer

With autumn still in the air, now is actually the perfect time to start your internship search for the summer or beyond.

Securing an internship provides students with an invaluable hands-on experience, offering the chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings or explore different fields they might not have previously considered. While internships enhance resumes, they also provide a chance to explore potential career paths and connect with professionals with a variety of experiences—invaluable benefits for any student.

CU Boulder’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) recently hosted companies across industries including aerospace, research & development, energy, radio frequency communication and sports equipment for their Industry Networking Night.

The event was an opportunity for students to speak with professionals and learn about engineering and technical roles nationwide. Students also learned about the skills recruiters typically look for among interns.

Top 10 Tips to Land an Internship

Looking for tips on landing an internship in any industry? Look no further! SWE’s leadership board members—many of whom have completed internships themselves—provided helpful tips to help you get started!

Craft a Strong Resume: Highlight your experiences and skills clearly and seek feedback from multiple people. Tailor your resume for different roles and companies that interest you.
Apply Widely: The internship search is often a numbers game. Apply to as many positions as possible to increase your chances of landing interviews.
Polish Your LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your LinkedIn profile has a professional photo and lists relevant skills and experiences. A strong online presence can attract recruiters.
Practice Interview Skills: Take the time to practice your interview techniques. Always research the company and role beforehand to prepare relevant questions and answers.
Utilize Career Services: Schedule meetings with CU Boulder Career Services early in your search. They can provide valuable insights and resources to support your job hunt.
Do Your Research: Before interviews, familiarize yourself with the companies you’re applying to. Mention specific projects or products to demonstrate your enthusiasm.
Highlight Challenges and Growth: Discuss specific areas of previous projects where you excelled and struggled and how you overcame those challenges. This illustrates your growth mindset and problem-solving abilities.
Market Yourself: Connect your skills and experiences to the company’s values and goals, emphasizing your overall fit beyond just technical qualifications. If you don’t see yourself aligning with company values, that’s good to know too.
Be Personable in Interviews: Employers appreciate candidates who fit well within their company culture. Don’t be afraid to show your personality with authenticity and eagerness to learn.
Believe in Yourself and Stay Persistent: Confidence is key! Trust in your abilities and remember that persistence is crucial in the internship search.

Companies that connected with 70 SWE student members included: BOA Fit System, BrightLine Group, CMTA, First RF, Lockheed Martin, Monolith, Pattern Labs, Qorvo, Quantinuum, Sandia National Laboratories, Spectrum and Ursa Major.

Ameenah Razi, a first-year computer science student, was excited about expanding their horizons with new companies they weren’t aware of.

“I learned about a lot of opportunities and companies I wouldn’t have thought to look for, but now I’ll be applying to them,” said Razi.

Students who have internship experiences already under their belt, like fourth-year mechanical engineering student Aubrey Ley, enjoyed providing tips to freshmen and sophomores about their own experiences. Ley was a space manufacturing intern at Lockheed Martin last summer.

Since the event, Ley has connected with a number of companies for their job search and has been in touch with a recruiter about full-time roles after graduation.

Sara Leschova, vice president for SWE who organized the event, was proud of attracting more companies than in previous semesters.

“Several members who attended the event said they learned about new companies and have connected with recruiters,” said Leschova.

“That’s exactly why we hold industry events like this.”

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CU Engineering welcomes largest doctoral class in college history

Caroline Harrah — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:29:26 +0000

CU Engineering welcomes largest doctoral class in college history Caroline Harrah Thu, 09/19/2024 - 13:29

Caroline Harrah

College tops 1,100 PhDs with most diverse class

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the �� is celebrating a milestone, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of doctoral students. With a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year-over-year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

“CU Engineering is dedicated to becoming a top destination for the brightest minds across engineering fields, where novel research and innovation have the potential to impact everyday lives,” said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Our growth in PhD enrollment is a testament to the success of this strategy, and our strong enrollment of women and students from diverse backgrounds reflects the inclusive and supportive environment we seek to cultivate.”

The incoming class includes a record percentage of female doctoral students, with women making up 37% of new PhD enrollees, surpassing the national average of 29%, according to data from the American Society for Engineering Education. CU Boulder stands as the top large public institution for the percentage of women doctoral students enrolled—among institutions with more than 1,000 PhD students—holding a lead over peer institutions.

The overall PhD enrollment at CU Engineering now has 10% of its students from minoritized communities, higher than the national average of 7%. These gains are part of the college’s broader efforts to attract and support a more diverse student body through targeted recruitment and funding opportunities.

Among the incoming and continuing doctoral students, 18 have been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, putting CU Boulder in the top 15 for NSF GRFP recipients nationwide across all disciplines and the College of Engineering and Applied Science at No. 7 nationwide in engineering disciplines. This recognition, which supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, further proves the academic excellence found within CU Boulder Engineering’s doctoral programs.

Doctoral Program Strengths and Expanding Opportunities

The college’s growth extends beyond traditional engineering fields, in line with its strategy to continuously innovate a portfolio of programs that address emergent needs and opportunities in climate, space, health and quantum.

Newer programs, such as engineering education, biomedical engineering and robotics, have attracted significant interest from prospective students. These interdisciplinary programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and offer doctoral students cutting-edge research opportunities in emerging fields.

"Exploring physics during my bachelor’s and master’s studies sparked a deep curiosity about how complex systems function and their potential to drive innovation, and encountering Kaushik Jayaram’s research at CU Engineering introduced me to the fascinating world of bio-inspired robotics," said Mija Jovchevska, incoming PhD student and CU Boulder Chancellor Scholar. "At first, I wasn't sure how my background would fit, but after meeting Jayaram and Nicole Xu, I knew CU Boulder was the right choice. Their pioneering work in bio-inspired robotics and biohybrid systems, along with CU’s interdisciplinary approach, supportive community, and Boulder lifestyle, made it the perfect place to bridge my physics background into this exciting, emerging field of research."

CU Engineering’s doctoral programs continue to gain national recognition, with recent rankings placing the college at No. 12 among public institutions and in the top 25 overall for graduate engineering education, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Boulder: A Top Destination for Graduate Students

In addition to academic prestige, CU Boulder’s location in the heart of Boulder, Colorado, offers doctoral students an unparalleled quality of life. Boulder is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States, known for its access to outdoor recreation, vibrant cultural scene and innovative tech ecosystem.

The region’s proximity to national laboratories and leading technology companies also provides CU Engineering students opportunities to collaborate on research and internships, further enhancing their graduate experience.

As the College of Engineering and Applied Science continues to grow, it remains dedicated to providing students with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to excel in their fields and become leaders in research and innovation. With a record-breaking doctoral class and strong enrollment gains in female students and students from historically underrepresented communities and minoritized identities, CU Engineering is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.

Prospective students interested in joining CU Engineering’s growing doctoral programs can learn more and apply online.

For more information on the college and programs, visit our main engineering program page.

CU Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science welcomed its largest-ever cohort of doctoral students in 2024. With a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year-over-year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

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Maria Pacheco empowers LGBTQ+ community through service leadership

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 18:20:58 +0000

Maria Pacheco empowers LGBTQ+ community through service leadership Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/12/2024 - 12:20

Charles Ferrer

Assistant Professor Maria Pacheco is driven to connect LGBTQ+ individuals with opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.

Pacheco, based in the Department of Computer Science, earned the 2024 Dr. Evelyn Hooker Advocacy Award presented by the Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (oSTEM) organization at CU Boulder. oSTEM honors one faculty member or teaching assistant of the campus community annually who has inspired LGBTQ+ students through mentorship or research to flourish in STEM.

“Maria has been advocating to create a safe and welcoming environment for her students,” a statement from the oSTEM executive board said. “We are honored to give Maria the recognition she deserves for supporting the LGBTQ+ community on campus.”

Pacheco, although early in her tenured-track career, has already left an impactful mark on the students she serves. One of her students, Juan Vasquez, received mentorship even before he began his PhD journey.

“Dr. Pacheco supported me as a queer Latin American student in academia,” said Vasquez, “and she offered specific advice about how to face some particular issues I might encounter given my particular identity.”

That advice helped him land several PhD offers and grants, and now as one of her lab students, he sees how he’s improved as a researcher. Pacheco understands that queer PhD students come from diverse backgrounds and face unique challenges, and is always discussing how she can better support them, he notes.

“Her openness to diversity makes her an incredible asset to academia. True mentors foster their mentees’ strengths while also celebrating their unique identities,” said Vasquez.

Service through leadership

“My own motto is essentially to get involved so we can empower each other in our communities,” said Pacheco. “As a LGBTQ person myself, sometimes just serving in professional spaces is helpful for students.”

Pacheco, who wanted to be part of a queer community interested in AI/ML issues, first became connected with the Queer in AI organization as a graduate student at Purdue University.

Queer in AI is a global grassroots organization that raises awareness of queer issues in AI/ML through a community of queer scientists. She recommends any student who wants to connect to join their Slack group through Queer in AI where they can pitch ideas for workshops, bounce ideas for research opportunities, raise funds for conferences and network with industry and NGOs.

Pacheco is chairing the diversity and inclusion committee at the North American Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (NAACL) taking place in Mexico City this summer, where she will provide support for the Latinx in AI and Queer in AI affinity groups. She expressed excitement since this is the first time the conference is being hosted in Latin America and expects strong participation from Latin American institutions.

She encourages students to submit their work in progress to affinity group workshops like LatinX in AI, Black in AI and Queer in AI, which are usually co-located with these larger, wider conferences like the NAACL and the International Conference on Machine Learning. She said it can be a welcoming and supporting environment for early career students and a stepping stone to publishing in the main conference.

Even if students are not ready to present, Pacheco hopes students can participate in conferences to connect and receive feedback from researchers in their community and meet people who share similar identities.

Inclusive advocacy

Through Pacheco’s collective leadership with other Queer in AI organizers, the group has focused on making professional conferences more inclusive. Conference organizers have laid out guidelines to add pronouns to name tags and publications. Her fellow organizers are starting to tackle the high costs for attending the conferences, a major pressure point for students and the community.

She maintains inclusive practices by hiring graduate students in her lab who belong to the LGBTQ+ community where individuals from many different communities can feel supported.

Then, there’s her research group, the Boulder Language and Social Technologies (BLAST). BLAST explores queer topics that are not usually at the forefront of research, but because she recruits students with diverse interests and backgrounds.

Her students draw from their personal experiences to inform their natural language processing research focusing in areas like education, media and journalism and views on economy at the national level.

Vazquez, her PhD student, is interested in going beyond hate speech detection and diving into the linguistic patterns of what constitutes hateful speech against LGBTQ+ folks and how it can be weaponized against vulnerable populations in Mexico.

“When you show up and start meeting folks, you start to band together with individuals who have shared interests,” said Pacheco, who is now one of the core organizers for the group.

Core organizers are researchers, graduate students or individuals from industry who are passionate about AI/ML who have academic backgrounds in computer science, engineering, robotics and neuroscience, among others.

Pacheco, who is in her first year as a faculty member, is balancing the role as an assistant professor, researcher, advocate and mentor.

“I think sometimes it’s hard because it feels like a lot of the service falls on us as well,” she said, “but at the same time, it is very rewarding to create these spaces for both yourself, peers and students, so I’d say it’s really worth it.”

�� the Dr. Evelyn Hooker Advocacy Award

oSTEM presents the Dr. Evelyn Hooker Advocacy Award to commemorate an individual’s work and emphasize the importance of advocacy. Nominees are selected by CU Boulder students and alumni, and the winner will be selected by a diverse board of staff from the BOLD Center, Center of Inclusion and Social Change and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Assistant Professor Maria Pacheco from the Department of Computer Science earned the 2024 Dr. Evelyn Hooker Advocacy Award for her leadership in supporting LGBTQ+ students at CU Boulder.

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CU Boulder leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:10:07 +0000

CU Boulder leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/08/2024 - 10:10

College of Engineering and Applied Science's fall 2023 class includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage points from two decades ago.

In an era where gender diversity in STEM is more critical than ever, the ��’s College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) isn't just paying lip service. In the past two decades, CEAS has transformed its engineering landscape, growing its female undergraduate class from 18% in 2003 to 30% in 2023. The Society of Women Engineers estimates that, in 2023, the percentage of women professionals in architecture and engineering is 16.7%. And while up from 9% in the 1990s, women are still underrepresented in these fields compared to their male counterparts.

The spotlight shines bright on CEAS’ first-year cohorts as well, particularly the fall 2023 class, which includes 41% female students, up 27 percentage points from two decades ago. This achievement underscores CU Boulder's status as a leader among Association of American Universities (AAU) Public Institutions, clinching a top spot in 2022 for the highest percentage of first-year female engineering students from the American Society for Engineering Education.

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said initiatives spearheaded by both the college and the broader CU Boulder campus over the last 10-15 years have propelled the growth.

“This is not only about fairness and equity, but about driving innovation, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and expanding our engineering workforce that is in such high demand,” said Molenaar. “By fostering a diverse engineering team, CU Boulder is preparing students for the workforce and shaping a future where technology reflects the diversity of its users.”

The ASEE has recognized CU Boulder as a Top 5 public university for women in its first-year class as well as a Top 50 institution for awarding bachelor's degrees to women, and leading in female tenured or tenure-track faculty.

“Addressing global challenges, from sustainable development and healthcare, to rapidly advancing computing subfields such as AI, quantum and semiconductors, will require a diverse set of perspectives and solutions,” said Lucy Sanders, founder and executive in residence, The National Center for Women & Information Technology. “Those with different lived experiences such as those who identify as women are pivotal in designing infrastructure and technologies that cater to the needs of our broad population.”

Boulder's journey towards gender parity in engineering is a clear signal that diversity in STEM is achievable.

CU Boulder's journey toward gender parity in engineering is a clear signal that diversity in STEM is achievable. In just two decades, CEAS has transformed its engineering landscape, growing its female undergraduate class from 18% in 2003 to 30% in 2023. CEAS’s fall 2023 class, includes 41% female students, up 27% from two decades ago. CU Boulder clinched a top spot in 2022 for the highest percentage of first-year female engineering students from the American Society for Engineering Education.

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Former BOLD students honored with college alumni awards

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Former BOLD students honored with college alumni awards Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 02/21/2024 - 00:00

Charles Ferrer

The College of Engineering and Applied Science recognizes alumni achievements with annual awards. We are pleased to announce our 2024 recipients representing the BOLD Center!

2024 Alumni Engagement Medal Award recipients:

DEAA honors graduates and friends who have distinguished themselves through outstanding personal qualities, knowledge, and significant contributions to their fields

Denzil Ekow Bilson (CompSci'23)

Denzil is a current GRAD CSEN-MS student and a long-time student of the BOLD Center. His journey began back in 2019 as undergraduate BOLD Scholar where he immediately demonstrated student leadership. Denzil was a stellar student and BOLD Scholar and contributed in a number of ways such as Peer Mentoring, Lead Tutoring, and student leader in the BOLD Center.

Denzil has built many connections and relationships with students, staff, and faculty within BOLD and in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Though he finished his undergraduate coursework and student employment last year, he still engages with the BOLD Center as a Lead Volunteer Tutor and has expanded his portfolio as a TA in CSEN.

Read Denzil's bio

Briana Santa Ana (CivEngr'20)

Briana Santa Ana earned her BS degree in civil engineering at CU Boulder, where she was also active in undergraduate research, a GoldShirt Scholar, a peer mentor in the BOLD Center, and a longstanding member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. While an undergraduate student, Santa Ana had two internships at the Colorado Department of Transportation and a local construction firm. Upon graduation, she worked for a general contractor and a concrete contractor, before moving to Dallas, Texas, where she is a city project engineer.

In an effort to bring attention and awareness to issues around discrimination and diversity in the construction industry, Santa Ana helped organize the Construction Diversity Summit, which took place in April 2022 with nearly 200 attendees. Briana was fully engaged in the planning process, which included coordinating three breakout session speakers and a panel of industry leaders. She joined two of her peers who represented recent graduates and shared their stories with the audience. The summit enabled participants to learn new communication strategies and skills, recognize the importance of DEI work on the jobsite, and better understand the challenges underrepresented populations face in the construction industry.

Read Briana's bio

All awardees will be honored at the Engineering Awards Banquet in April 2024.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science recognizes alumni achievements with annual awards. We are pleased to announce our 2024 recipients representing the BOLD Center!

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Q&A with Davey Aguiar: "My femininity is a superpower"

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 22:42:12 +0000

Q&A with Davey Aguiar: "My femininity is a superpower" Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/02/2022 - 16:42

Grace Wilson

Davey Aguiar, Coordinator of BOLD Programs & Student Engagement in The BOLD Center reflects on what 'Pride' means to them, the need to remember and honor previous generations of LGBTQ+ people for their sacrifices and contributions, and how embracing their femininity has brought healing and liberation.

What is your role at CU Boulder?

Coordinator of BOLD Programs & Student Engagement in the BOLD Center! In addition to coordinating programs for students, I oversee BOLD's 8 affinity-based, professional engineering societies in areas of leadership, programming and budgeting. I also oversee the Peer Mentor program that assists in the transition of first-year students into CEAS.

What does pride mean to you?

My definition has changed over the years the more I've taken time to explore, self-reflect and decolonize my view on gender and sexual identity, especially as it relates to me, personally. This year, Pride means that we as LGBTQ+ people don't need to be accepted or tolerated by cishet (cisgender and heterosexual) people to feel validated about who we are. When I came 'out' in high school, I spent time trying to figure out how to ensure my parents/family, my cishet friends and even strangers felt comfortable being around a Queer person. Looking back, I realize it was a defense mechanism that I was using for safety that ended up harming me.

While I was spending time prioritizing their comfort, my mental health and self-esteem were declining because I was shaming my femininity, my sexual identity and gender without even realizing it. Once I learned to stop seeking acceptance and tolerance from my oppressors, that's when I really started to see my growth and self-love flourish. It was liberating. I learned that seeking acceptance and tolerance for simply existing was dehumanizing and I didn't deserve that. Nobody deserves to feel that way about themselves. That's why we celebrate 'Pride'. It's to celebrate those who don't fit in a particular box and are not afraid to draw outside the lines.

What would you say to other folks celebrating pride with you?

First and foremost, we need to honor the older generations of LGBTQ+ people who helped pave the road for us through their emotional, physical and mental sacrifices and contributions. Most of the time, those sacrifices (both willingly and unwillingly) cost the lives of beautiful Queer people who died at the hands of homophobia, transphobia, racism, imperialism/colonialism, domestic violence and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

We lost engineers, educators, artists, friends, family and significant others at the hands of ignorance and fear -- two dangerous tools that have been controlled by our oppressors, especially those in political power. So, although we should celebrate all facets of our identity and community, let's never forget those who have passed, especially the thousands of QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans Black, Indigenous, People of Color) we lost to domestic violence, white supremacy and colonization.

Which of your identities would you like to take a moment and celebrate, both in the context of pride and beyond? What do they mean to you?

I have an enormous amount of love and care for my femininity. Growing up, I was a flamboyant and energetic child who felt their emotions deeply, which was often ridiculed and questioned in my patriarchal and immigrant household. I was also ostracized by my peers from middle school to high school and was called 'gay' for most of my life because of it. Unfortunately, in the context of Western society, femininity is often ridiculed under a patriarchal system because there are stereotypical traits that are, unfairly and inaccurately, tied directly to women, which is then correlated with weakness. That's why we see such similar stereotypes and discriminatory treatment directed towards LGBTQ+ people.

However, as I grew older, I noticed that my environment gravitated towards powerful and confident womxn who were identified as matriarchs, friends, supervisors and mentors to me. Instead of being taught to shame my emotions and femininity, I was met with affirmations, unconditional love and empowerment. At first, it was scary letting myself become that vulnerable, but as I embraced it, I also felt myself healing. Fast forward to present time, my femininity is now a superpower I use within my praxis as an educator and as a person. I cherish it and I cannot express how grateful I am for those womxn who helped me to become the person I am today.

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Construction Diversity Summit coming to CU Boulder

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 22:39:24 +0000

Construction Diversity Summit coming to CU Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/11/2022 - 15:39

Jeff Zehnder

The �� is hosting a Construction Diversity Summit to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the construction industry.

The free event, planned for April 1, will bring together companies and students from around the state to discuss and raise awareness about diversity-related issues in construction, build empathy within the workforce, and bring forward solutions to help construction employers and employees navigate the industry.

The summit will include breakout sessions, talks on ways to enhance company culture, and programming on skills to promote meaningful dialogue and respect for all contributions, according to Amy Javernick-Will, the Nicholas R. and Nancy D. Petry Professor in Construction Engineering and Management in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

“We hope attendees will recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion on jobsites and in the office, learn new communication strategies and skills, and better understand challenges facing students and graduates to cultivate an inclusive environment,” Javernick-Will said.

The keynote speaker will be Michael J. Garner, who serves as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Garner and his team have designed and implemented workforce strategies at MTA which have significantly increased minority and women hires.

Registration is still open for the summit, and the full schedule is available on the Construction Diversity Summit website.

The event was the brainchild of alumna Briana Santa Ana (CivEngr ’20), who faced discrimination during a summer internship when she was an undergraduate student. Matthew Morris, a senior instructor in CEAE, realized her experience was far too common, and when she suggested a summit to address DEI issues in the construction industry, the event was born.

“Students had reported experiencing, at times, an unwelcoming environment, and one in which they could not see themselves thriving,” Javernick-Will said. “This spurred us to want to bring industry and students together to learn and take action to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where each person could thrive.”

Santa Ana subsequently was recognized with an Outstanding Undergraduate for Service Award by the College of Engineering and Applied Science for her efforts.

The summit is being organized by Morris, together with Sage Hobbs, Amy Moreno-Sherwood, Amy Nelson, Maxine Pryor, and a panel of recent graduates, including Santa Ana.

Support is being provided by numerous industry sponsors, including The Beavers Heavy Engineering Construction Association, Flatiron Construction, Holder Construction, Kiewit Corporation, and Whiting-Turner, as well as the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Endowment for Construction Engineering and Management.

The summit was originally planned for 2020, but was delayed to 2022 by the pandemic.

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Anthony Pimentel: Engineering solutions with everyone in mind

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:06:30 +0000

Anthony Pimentel: Engineering solutions with everyone in mind Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/07/2022 - 11:06

Anthony Pimentel (EVEN'21) was awarded one of three Research graduate awards His efforts have focused on new water treatment options and sustainable technologies to reduce the environmental impact of water infrastructure.

His path to research excellence at CU started with the college's Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) program, which placed him in professor Karl Linden's lab, which focuses on novel technologies for advanced water treatment.

Pimentel has presented at multiple conferences in the past year on a newer water filtering material and method that can stand up to strong disinfecting chemicals better than plastic filters can.

He will graduate with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Environmental Engineering through the department's Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's program, and he's ready.

"I'm excited to graduate and get out in the real world and work with people to fix systems that need fixing." Pimentel said.

Pimentel has known that he wanted to work with water since before he came to CU Boulder.

As a child growing up in Flint, Michigan he would wander through the warehouse of his mother's plumbing business, surrounded by pipe fittings and faucets.

This was before the city started pulling water from the heavily polluted Flint river in the widely publicized ongoing Flint water crisis, and before the 2008 recession closed the business.

Pimentel's father, a first-generation immigrant from Peru and software engineer, encouraged his son to consider engineering as a career, but Pimentel, who had only seen engineers work with cars and code, didn't feel it was for him.

"I told him, 'No, I don't like math, I don't like this.' And it took some time. I took a year off after high school. Then I went down and lived in Peru." he said.

In Peru, Pimentel started to see that "engineering problems" are often far from technical.

"The issues in Flint and Peru are largely political problems, systemic oppression, racial oppression, issues that are hard to understand," he said.

"I want to encourage engineers to address problems that are technical but also multifaceted, and you need to have a holistic background to address those and to make change," he said.

At CU Boulder, Pimentel himself worked to grow that holistic background through service and involvement. As a transfer student without a freshman group of friends, Pimentel regularly went to Engineering Launch, the college's involvement fair.

Through the event he discovered Engineers without Borders, The American Society of Civil Engineers, the society for the Environmental Engineering department (SEVEN), the Society for Hispanic Engineers (SHPE) and other groups. He also found a home in the BOLD Center as a Student Success Center (SSC) tutor.

"Before CU Boulder, I took a year in community college and the courses weren't easy for me. I was working twenty to 30 hours, as a lot of students do. I wanted to give back to those students who have come from similar backgrounds like myself, a lot of whom don't have English as a first language." he said.

Pimentel is valued for his services to the BOLD SSC.

"Anthony goes above and beyond in his work. He’s always willing to support his peers, colleagues and those in his community. You can always rely on Anthony to show up, creatively problem-solve, and engage in high impact work and initiatives to make a positive difference." said Chantal Baca, BOLD Student Success Senior Professional.

Pimentel also said he values the BOLD Center for its student-oriented approach and programming. He said he believes the center is where many students from diverse backgrounds find friends and strengthen their personal and professional skills as engineers.

Looking to the future, Pimentel said he hopes his generation is the one that ensures people get access to basic services no matter where they live, what their income is or what they look like.

"Engineers are committed to providing the most basic and needed services to people. And with climate change and civil unrest, our infrastructure is at risk. We need further investment, but money doesn't solve the issue. We need smart and resourced and diverse-thinking engineers succeeding and being motivated to go into the field and to solve issues, to build the future of this country and of the world." he said.

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