Rebeca Saavedra standing in front of the MSU Denver Honors Program building in 9th Street Park
Rebeca Saavedra standing in front of the MSU Denver Honors Program building in 9th Street Park

When Rebeca Saavedra crosses the stage at Spring 2027 Commencement, it will mark the conclusion of a hard-fought higher education journey two decades in the making.

After high school, Saavedra spent several years working in restaurants while taking one or two college courses at a time, when she could afford to—first at Los Angeles City College and, after moving to Colorado, at Community College of Denver. Neither school was the right fit.

When Saavedra transitioned to a career in hotel management around 2020, a supervisor encouraged her to enroll at nearby Metropolitan State University of Denver.

“At first, I was like, what is MSU Denver?” said the Criminal Justice and Criminology major. “Then, I remembered walking past the Honors House when I was attending CCD, thinking, ‘God, I wish, but maybe in another lifetime.’”

It was at MSU Denver that Saavedra found her path forward after enrolling part-time in 2021. Two years later, she faced a pivotal moment in her academic career when financial pressures threatened to derail her dreams of earning a degree. Thankfully, the CARE Team got her connected with the Epic Scholars program.

“I first heard about Epic when I was about to drop out, again,” said Saavedra. “As an independent, non-traditional, Latina, first-generation student, I really needed that support.” 

Founded in January 2018, Epic Scholars goes beyond a scholarship, providing a “comprehensive, holistic student support program designed to nurture academic success and professional development for independent students who have experienced foster care and other challenging backgrounds.”

Rebeca Saavedra standing outside the MSU Denver Honors Program building

Each semester, students receive a stipend and academic advising, participate in personal and professional development activities, and set goals.

“It’s not like, ‘oh, here’s some money because you have a three-point something ’; they’re your friend along the road,” said Saavedra, who works as a student office assistant in the Office of the Vice President of Administration.

Saavedra has thrived in the Epic community, thankful to have found a home amongst fellow Roadrunners, each with their own story and life experiences, where she doesn’t have to worry about being judged. She has also received transformative encouragement and guidance, preparing her to achieve her present and long-term goals.

“I could have given up. I never thought I was going to graduate,” said Saavedra. “My journey has been so extensive, and Epic is still there for me.”

Rebeca Saavedra standing in front of a Changemakers Wanted sign

After years of perseverance and setbacks that might have changed the course of her story, Saavedra is incredibly proud to not only be completing her degree, but to be doing so as a Roadrunner.

“MSU Denver has given me more than an education. As both a student and a student worker, I have found opportunity, support and a community that believed in me,” Saavedra said. “I would not be here without the generosity of my scholarship donors, the guidance of my professors and the support of my colleagues in the Administration Branch.”

Driven by a desire to serve others and create meaningful change, Saavedra is setting her sights on law school and a career in criminal law, pursuing them with the same determination that has gotten her to where she is today.

“When I tell people I want to go to law school, they say, ‘Oh, really? That’s hard,” Saavedra said. “It’s taken me so many different lifetimes to get here – I don’t care if it takes five, 10 more years.” 

“Dreams don’t expire.”