Alumni & Friends

Dr. Annette Cannon '86 | Nursing | Coroner | Jefferson County Colorado

Dr. Annette Cannon is the Coroner for Jefferson County Colorado.  Being the fourth largest county in Colorado, her office of highly trained deputy coroners/death investigators, a chief deputy coroner, admin staff, autopsy tech and forensic pathologists serve a population of almost 600,000 citizens and cover an area of 774 square miles, with 72% of the county being considered mountainous area. As the Coroner, she is honored to serve and represent her state and county during the CoVid19 Pandemic. Annette currently serves on the Colorado Coroner’s Standards and Training Board (CCSTB), is a member of the Colorado Coroner’s Association (CCA), and a member of the Academy of Forensic Nurses (AFN), with a recent acceptance for a publication to the Journal of Forensic Nursing (JFN).

Annette continues to volunteer with her community through many different organizations. She has served as President of the District 20 Nurses for Jefferson County, through the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) for the past 4 years and as a dedicated member for 25 years: and she has served as an honored board member for over 25 years with (nursing honor society) Sigma Theta Tau International – Alpha Kappa Chapter at Large (STTI-AKC), as a MSU graduate in Nursing.  Before becoming an Elected Official two years ago, Annette was a nursing professor and clinical instructor at a BSN program and taught research, simulation, acute care, community health and psychiatric nursing. During this time, Annette was nominated for the Nightingale award, received the Nurse of the Year award, began her own nurse consultant business, started up a non-profit to help nurses in need and those within disaster situations, became an accreditation auditor for ACEN, and published an update to her book regarding juvenile mental health and the criminal justice system. 

Prior to that, Annette continued her education after MSU to obtain a master’s in nursing, master’s in management, and a PhD in healthcare administration.  She has held various leadership and nursing positions throughout her career, empowering others to attend college to widen opportunities and promote growth in education, along with a reminder to serve others.  She now brings her background, education, and experience in both medical and criminal justice to her present job of Coroner, and strives to serve the county citizens, the decedents, and their loved ones, through professionalism, compassion, commitment and ethics. In addition, Dr. Cannon is dedicated to her service on the CCSTB, which establishes and maintains standards for coroner education, training and certification in Colorado. 

Carolyn Barker '08 | Accounting | Causey, Demgen & Moore, P.C.

Carolyn Barker graduated in the fall of to find the recession in full swing and accounting positions hard to find. Due to her networking efforts during that year, she was able to secure a seasonal internship with EKS&H which gave her an enormous amount of experience and drive to pursue her dream of securing a place in a public accounting firm. Over the next few months while searching for a position, Carolyn turned to studying for the CPA exam to enhance her knowledge gained through her degree at MSU Denver. In September of 2009, Carolyn was pleased to accept a position at Causey Demgen & Moore P.C. where she has continued to grow and thrive within her chosen career.

Carolyn continues to give back for all the support she received during her time at MSU Denver. Carolyn served as President of the Accounting Students Organization (ASO) in 2008, has joined various Alumni Boards, and involved herself with current students by mentoring via the Roadrunner Alumni Advisor Network and with the one-on-one mentoring program through the College of Business. Carolyn says, “I know what a difficult decision it can be when first setting out on a new career path or even choosing which path will be the best, so I hope to impart a little of my experience that helped me, not only in my choice but how to achieve those goals and dreams, to succeed, and hopefully to instill a sense of excitement that will carry them through into their new "life!”

Donn Aggeler '93 | Accounting | Causey, Demgen & Moore, P.C.

The 2020 Alumni Philanthropist of the Year is being awarded, posthumously, to Donn Aggeler, '93. 

“Donn was a champion of our students – she loved investing in their success because she believed in their potential,” says Christine Márquez-Hudson, vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the MSU Denver Foundation. “We will miss her bright smile, her can-do attitude and her CPA expertise.”
 
As a proud Roadrunner, Aggeler began serving on the Foundation Board in 2015, most recently as treasurer. She worked for more than 24 years at Causey, Demgen & Moore, P.C., where she focused on audit services, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and private company reporting, mergers and acquisitions.  

Generous friends, family and Roadrunner community members have established an annual scholarship in Aggelar’s memory to support students pursuing an accounting degree at MSU Denver.  

Michael Botyarov '14 | Aviation Technology | Asst. Program Manager | Sierra Nevada Corporation

Michael Botyarov, upon graduating from MSU Denver in 2014, started his career as a systems engineer at DigitalGlobe (now Maxar Technologies) where he worked on the WorldView-4 ground system. He then transitioned into a role as a systems safety engineer, and subsequently systems engineer, at United Launch Alliance where he worked on developing requirements and other various technical reports for the upper stage of NASA’s Space Launch System. At this time, he also obtained an M.S. in systems engineering and an MBA to further enhance his professional skill set. After ULA, Michael transitioned to his current employer, Sierra Nevada Corporation, where he worked as a project engineer helping bridge the gap between engineering and program management. He recently moved into the role of associate program manager where he helps execute multiple Air Force contracts that ultimately support our warfighters. Working in aerospace gives me a sense of fulfillment to know I support a cause greater than myself and contribute to the continued prosperity of our country. I aspire to educate others with a passion for aerospace to help them achieve their goals, so I give back to the MSU Denver community by teaching in the aviation and aerospace science department.

Vincent Cervantes '17 | History | Founder | Denver Alliance for Street Health Response (DASHR) 

Vinnie Cervantes is the founder and Organizing Director of Denver Alliance for Street Health Response (DASHR) and a graphic designer and creative strategist. In his role with DASHR, Vinnie has helped to lead efforts to create alternatives to policing and jail. These efforts resulted in the launch of a restorative justice program called Restorative Denver in 2019 and a non-police 911 response called Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) in Denver in 2020, with similar programs to be launched in other Colorado cities. DASHR has also partnered with the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger to initiate a statewide process to confront food insecurity called Community Healing, Action, and Truth (CHAT). Additionally, Vinnie has worked through DASHR to support Denver’s unhoused community with food distributions, survival gear distributions, and medics.

In addition to working with DASHR, Vinnie is on the board of directors of The Conflict Center, serving as the board Vice President in 2019 and President as of 2020. The organization focuses on expanding restorative practices and conflict resolution. He also serves on the board of Colorado Jobs With Justice, which focuses on workers’ rights and organizing labor. Vinnie has served as the tri-chair of the Colorado Poor People’s Campaign, which included hosting Truth and Poverty Hearings and supporting Congressional testimony on poverty and systemic violence in the United States. He has also been involved in political work, including supporting four successful campaigns in 2017 and running the campaign of Julie Bañuelos for DPS school board in 2019. He is currently working on launching a media collective called Crater Age to use marketing strategies and creative tools to amplify social issues. The work Vinnie has done in many different issues has become increasingly important as the pandemic has served as a nexus of economic disparity, health and safety, and systemic harm. Also, with the issue of criminal justice reform and alternatives to police finding a national stage once again, Vinnie has been a leader in that work for years, achieving transformative solutions even before 2020.

Vinnie graduated MSU Denver in 2017 with degrees in History and Creative Strategies for Social Change and is currently attending CU Denver in the New Directions program to achieve a Masters Degree in Political Science.

Kris Geerken '19 | Health Administration | Program Manager | Changing the Narrative 

Kris is experienced in program development, community engagement, aging issues, legislation, and advance care planning. She is currently employed as a Program Manager and Executive Producer with Changing the Narrative, an initiative focused on raising awareness about the impacts of ageism and how to end it. Kris recently collaborated with PBS12 on a series titled On the same pAGE – bringing multi-generations together to discuss ageism.

Kris also serves on the board of directors for Colorado Senior Lobby (CSL) where she advocates for policies to improve quality of life for older Coloradans. In 2020 she co-organized A Capitol Affair, an event focused on legislative initiatives impacting older adults in the 2020 General Assembly and the importance of citizen education and advocacy. Currently, she is co-organizing Persevering Through A Pandemic Webinar Series for CSL. Kris previously worked for hospices in Ohio and Colorado and developed an advance care planning training program for community members.

Kris focuses on improving community awareness about healthcare programs that enhance wellbeing for all people. She advocates for bridging generations. Her work centers on public health issues involving ageism, equity and legislation. Kris holds a B.S. in human development with concentrations in aging, grief and loss and she recently earned her Master of Health Administration degree from MSU Denver. Kris is actively involved with MSU Denver’s MHA program by sharing updates about her work and opportunities for students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Quentin Jones '10 | Human Performance & Sport | Contract Sr. Manager, Network Strategy, Mountain States | Cigna 

Quentin Jones, originally from Saginaw, MI, graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Performance and Sport. He went on to obtain a Master of Science in Legal Administration from the University of Denver in 2013 as well as a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in 2018. In 2020, Quentin began his journey as a doctoral student at Liberty University where he is currently working on a Doctorate of Business Administration degree. 

While finishing his bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State College of Denver, Quentin spent time doing an internship and later, working at the world-renowned sports and entertainment agency All Pro Sports & Entertainment (APS&E) as the Director of Contracting. As Director of Contracting, Quentin assisted clients in strategic initiatives, program implementation, contract negotiation/administration, and helped to develop a targeted client base. While at APS&E, Quentin had the opportunity to work on several professional athlete contracts worth millions of dollars including those of NFL and NBA players. 

After working at APS&E for over 5 years, Quentin transitioned into working in the legal field at Denver-based law firm Tschetter Hamrick Sulzer, P.C. as well as Baker Law Group, utilizing his Legal Administration degree and contract knowledge. In 2014, Quentin transitioned into the healthcare field as a Contract Manager, acting as a senior regional consultant regarding contracts and agreements with community delivery systems. 

Quentin currently works in the healthcare field as a Contract Sr. Manager on the Network Strategy team, for the Mountain States region at Cigna in Denver, CO where he negotiates and manages complex healthcare agreements with providers including hospital systems, ancillaries, and large physician groups covering Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Since moving to Colorado in 2009, Quentin has been committed to working in the Denver metro area community having served as a mentor in the Goodwill Industries of Denver’s Summer Bridge Mentoring program for several years and as a volunteer chef for the Denver-based nonprofit, 100 Men Who Cook, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Denver’s youth by helping grassroots community nonprofit organizations who have a proven track record of making a positive and significant impact on youth in the community.

In 2018, Quentin founded the black-led nonprofit, Kodak Cares based in Aurora, CO. Kodak Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to assist single mothers of color that are at the bottom of the poverty pyramid experiencing compound poverty. The mission is to foster and facilitate dynamic, strategic programs that empower, support, uplift, and provide access to low-income single mothers of color and their families. 

Kodak Cares works to bridge the gap in education, income, housing, employment, and healthcare for single mothers of color. As the founder and Executive Director of Kodak Cares,
Quentin has been committed to finding ways to help uplift single mothers of color in the metro Denver area. 

Fetien Gebre-Michael '14 | Marketing | Founder | Konjo Catering

Fetien Gebre-Michael is the founder of Konjo Catering and the Co-founder of The Ethiopian Food Truck and Konjo Ethiopian Food. Ms. Gebre-Michael immigrated to the United States at a young age. She comes from an Ethiopian background and has eleven brothers and sisters. At a young age, hard-work and perseverance was instilled in her, and as such, she is committed to her community. She fully believes in the hearts of people and is dedicated to bringing out the best in them. Ms. Gebre-Michael has over 10 years of experience in the business sector and was the assistant marketing director for Freedom Cabs, Inc. and holds a Marketing degree from MSU Denver, with a Certificate in International Business.

Miriam Miranda '18 | Political Science | Victim Advocate | Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center 

Miriam Miranda is a first-generation student and immigrant from Mexico who came to the United States at the age of seven years old. She graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Linguistics. In her last semester as a senior at MSU Denver, Miriam did an internship as an immigration intern with the Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center (JAMLAC). After graduation Miriam applied to the University of Colorado at Denver to further her education and continue to learn more about her passion in Political Science. During this time she also became the victim advocate for the Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center. JAMCLAC is a non-profit which provides assistance for low income, victims of domestic violence and victims of crime who need assistance in family law and immigration law. Currently Miriam works full time at JAMLAC and is a full-time graduate student at the University of Colorado at Denver, working towards a master’s in political science.

During her time as an undergraduate student Miriam worked with Student Persistence as a college completion assistant and as a tutor in the Tutoring Center. She also was an Alternative Break site leader during her time at MSU Denver. She planned and executed a trip for a number of students to participate in volunteering with the National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado Springs. This experience extended  students learning to out of the  classroom andoffered an opportunity for them to practice their civic engagement. Lastly, Miriam worked as a College Works peer mentor. She worked with a small group of students for who she provided mentorship and life skills to surviving the first year of their undergraduate program. This included skills for studying, assisting with schedule planning, creating connection with organizations around campus, making sure students had on-campus employment and much more. After leaving MSU Denver, she continues to provide support for those in need in her community, being passionate about the work she does.

Austin Nickel '18 | Hospitality & Restaurant Management | Chef de Cuisine | Spuntino

Chef Austin Nickel was born in Denver and spent time in her childhood in both Colorado and Indiana. Inspired by cooking with her dad growing up, she decided to move back to Denver for college and attend Johnson and Wales University, where she graduated with an associate's degree in Culinary Arts. Chef Nickel spent three years working in downtown Denver as a culinary professional before deciding to go back to college for her bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management at Metropolitan State University. She spent four years working full time and going to school part time before graduating in 2018. During that time Chef Nickel worked as a cook and eventually took the position of Chef de Cuisine at Spuntino in January 2017. Since joining the Spuntino crew, she has created a sausage program and has continued her culinary education in the kitchen, without-reach to non-profit organizations through the restaurant. 

Sean Peters '17 | Business Management | Owner & Head Brewer | Peak View Brewing

Sean Peters graduated from MSU Denver in Fall of 2017 as the Provost Award Winner, graduation speaker, and Suma Cum Laude with a degree in Business Management. He is the owner and head brewer of Peak View Brewing Company. Sean has hired MSU Denver graduates as well as current students; one who works as his general manager and another who is studying Brewing Sciences at MSU Denver, who he is mentoring and teaching about brewhouse operations as well as business management.

Using the brewery, Sean hosts many community involvement events including dog adoption parties, an MSU Denver Alumni event to bring alumnus together, and fundraisers for local schools, people who have experienced mass trauma (Rebels Project) and currently raising money to support a fellow brewer whose dog was diagnosed with bone cancer.

Jeremy VanHooser '11 | Human Services | Diversity Coordinator | MSU Denver

Jeremy VanHooser has been a lifelong roadrunner from his first day at elementary school to graduating from and now working at MSU Denver; he is a roadrunner through and through. He has worked at MSU Denver since 2014 in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, currently serving as the Diversity Coordinator. Jeremy serves on many committees across the University, from the Policy Council, Professional Development Conference Committee, and the MLK Peace Breakfast Committee. While he is deeply involved in the diversity, equity, and inclusion work on the campus, Jeremy also served on two nonprofit boards, Young Nonprofits Professionals Network and Tech 4 Good, since graduating from MSU Denver.

Outside of his work on campus, Jeremy is active in politics serving as Vice Chair of Outreach, chairing committees, and leading initiatives within the Colorado Democratic Party. His passion is fighting for social justice because he believes that we all deserve to be treated with dignity, equity, and respect. Jeremy is motivated to create spaces for all people to have their voices heard on campus and in the greater community. As a roadrunner, Jeremy is always on the run. Even though many things are now virtual, Jeremy still makes time to check in on friends and co-workers to maintain social connections with people while maintaining social distance.

Jasmine Villalobos-Valles '19 | Business Management | C2Hub Coordinator | MSU Denver

Jasmine Villalobos-Valles, a first-generation student, graduated in the spring of 2019 with a Business Management degree. Throughout her college career, Jasmine worked as a peer mentor for the Denver Scholarship Foundation Leadership Program and the Alternative Break Program.

Jasmine is very passionate about serving college students from all backgrounds as college was a personal goal of hers to accomplish to find job stability. Jasmine feels lucky to have had the support from campus DSF advisors and MSU Denver staff who helped her make it through, and the reason why she is passionate about non-profits and higher education. Jasmine wants to support students just like the DSF advisors supported her. Jasmine is currently the Coordinator of Scholarship, Leadership and Community Partner for Student Success and Retention (C2Hub) and serves on the DSF Alumni Advisory Committee as secretary and volunteer as a staff advisor for Pi Lambada Chi Latina Sorority, Incorporated, as well as a mentor to an incoming DSF scholar.