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The MSU Denver Office of Alumni Relations is looking to hear from our alums. While your journey began on campus, it has taken you many places, however windy it may have been.
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Christian David Abeyta '16
For Christian David Abeyta ‘16, choosing Metropolitan State University of Denver was both a practical and personal decision. He wanted an urban campus close to home and one that reflected his community and allowed him to stay connected to friends and family.
Read Christian's story
Paul Anderson '07 & '21
For Paul Anderson ’07 & ’21, MSU Denver wasn’t originally part of a grand plan. It was, however, the place that made it possible for him to build a future rooted in curiosity, courage and reinvention. A fourth generation Coloradan raised in the San Luis Valley, Anderson arrived at MSU Denver after starting at Arapahoe Community College. He balanced work, life and academic uncertainty. But from his first semester, he encountered something uncommon in higher education: a university that met him exactly where he was.
Read Paul's story here
Ty Antikainen '15
When Ty Antikainen ’15 first arrived on the Auraria Campus, he was a small-town kid eager to experience the energy and diversity of city life. What he found at Metropolitan State College of Denver (before it became a university) was more than an education, he found opportunity, purpose, and a community that empowered him to lead.
Read Ty's story
Jim Balutowski '01
For Jim Balutowski, a childhood dream of flying for the military could have ended before it began. Growing up inspired by the Top Gun generation, he dreamed of a life in aviation. After receiving rejection letters from the Service Academies, he wasn’t sure where to turn, but a mentor helped him discover the Aviation program at MSU Denver (then MSCD).
Read Jim's story
Kyle Bowman '08
When Kyle Bowman arrived at MSU Denver in the mid-2000s, his identity was clear: he was an athlete. A baseball player. Someone who lived and breathed sport. What he didn’t yet know was that MSU Denver would expand that identity and open doors to a global career that would take him across the country and around the world.
Read Kyle's story
LaTerrell Bradford '13
For LaTerrell Bradford ’13, the idea of attending university was once just a suggestion from a mentor. While working at Lutheran Social Services in Long Beach, California, her supervisor, an MSW graduate, encouraged LaTerrell to pursue higher education. That moment sparked a journey that would eventually lead her to Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she found the education, support, and confidence to thrive.
Read LaTerrell's story
Perla Bustillos '18
When Perla Bustillos stepped onto the MSU Denver campus as a first-generation student in 2014, she carried more than a backpack. She carried the uncertainty of being an undocumented student navigating a system that wasn’t built for students like her.
Read Perla's story
April Axé Charmaine ’02
When April Axé Charmaine first stepped onto the Auraria Campus, she didn’t yet know she was beginning a lifelong dance of creativity, leadership, and transformation. Recruited through MSU Denver’s STAR program, she arrived eager to explore — and quickly discovered that this university would become a place where she could craft her own rhythm.
Read April Axé's story
Alex Clarke '19
Alex Clarke entered MSU Denver in the spring of 2014, unsure what to expect from university life after high school. What he found, however, was a place that would ignite his passion for learning. Initially planning to pursue only a Computer Science major with a math minor, Alex soon discovered that his interest in mathematics went far deeper than he anticipated.
Read Alex's story
Josh Cozart '18
For Josh Cozart ‘18, the path to broadcast meteorology was clear early on. He had long envisioned a career explaining the weather to the public, and MSU Denver offered the ideal place to turn that ambition into a profession. Drawn by the university’s respected meteorology program and hands-on broadcast opportunities, Cozart found an environment that combined access, mentorship and real-world preparation.
Read Josh's story
Dr. Theodore DeWeese '86
Theodore DeWeese, M.D. is the CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine and The Frances Watt Baker, M.D., and Lenox D. Baker Jr., M.D. Dean of the Medical Faculty—overseeing one of the nation’s preeminent medical schools and leading global health systems.
Read Dr. DeWeese's story
Amy Dieterich '14
When Amy Dieterich ’14 enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver, she was already balancing more than most college students. As a nontraditional and first-generation student, she juggled work, life responsibilities and a full academic load — all while trying to carve out a future that once felt out of reach.
Read Amy's story
Chennelle Diong '16
A 2016 graduate of MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality, Chennelle Diong is the co-founder of Good Love Foods, a Colorado-based, dedicated gluten-free food company built around inclusivity, safety and community. Her journey from nontraditional student to Shark Tank winner reflects the very mission that defines MSU Denver.
Read Chennelle's story
Nicolette DiPietro '05
When Nicolette DiPietro ‘05 began searching for colleges, she wasn’t looking for prestige, she was looking for access. At first, she expected she would pursue a business degree. Having worked in restaurants, it seemed like the practical choice. Then she discovered she could major in Hospitality, specifically restaurant management, and everything clicked.
Read Nicole's story
Jameer Fitch '20 & '23
From the Navy to corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, Jameer Fitch has built a career defined by service, resilience, and creating opportunities for others. A 2020 graduate of MSU Denver’s Individualized Degree Program (IDP) in Legal Analytics & Organizational Leadership and a proud MBA alum, Jameer continues to credit the University with setting the foundation for his success.
Read Jameer's story
Ally Garcia '11 & '13
Dr. Ally Garcia’s passion for education began at MSU Denver (then MSCD), where she studied Speech, Language, and Hearing Science. Fascinated by language development, linguistics, and anatomy, she immersed herself in learning. “I loved working with children and families navigating autism resources. Being part of a team that helps someone communicate is incredibly rewarding,” Ally reflects.
Read Ally's story
Arlan Grover '88
When Arlan Grover ’88 first enrolled at MSU Denver, he was already well into a successful career at Lockheed Martin (then Martin Marietta). But when his supervisors told him he’d need a bachelor’s degree to keep advancing, he started searching for a program that could fit his demanding full-time schedule.
Read Arlan's story
Matt Jones '11
For Matt Jones ‘11, weather was never just a subject — it was a lifelong calling. Drawn to the science of the atmosphere from an early age, Jones chose MSU Denver not only for its strong meteorology program, but for its accessibility and proximity to family and friends. That decision set him on a path from the classroom to the broadcast studio, where he now plays a critical role in keeping communities informed and safe.
Read Matt's storyStephanie Kane '11
Before Stephanie Kane ’11 ever stepped into a classroom at MSU Denver, Stephanie Kane was already immersed in the hospitality world. Her career began in the early 2000s at a private golf club in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, where she worked as a beverage cart attendant and helped with clubhouse events. That first season sparked a decade‑long journey through golf courses, restaurants and resorts across Arizona and California.
Read Stephanie's story
Zander Keig '99
When Zander Keig (’99) first set foot on the Auraria Campus, he wasn’t sure what to expect. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran and high school dropout who had once been placed in special education, Zander questioned whether he could succeed in college. But what he found at MSU Denver was a community that not only believed in him, but empowered him to believe in himself.
Read Zander's story
Stephen Lease '16
Stephen Lease never set out to disrupt the eyewear industry. He just wanted sunglasses that didn’t slide, didn’t cost a fortune — and didn’t make him “look like a tool bag.” For Lease, a Colorado native and proud Roadrunner, the honor of being named the 2024 Distinguished Alumni of the Year award is deeply personal and inseparable from the university that met him where he was and helped him move forward.
Read Stephen's story
Kailey Maness '23
When Kailey Maness arrived on campus, she was navigating the dual demands of being a collegiate soccer player and a marketing student. MSU Denver’s accessible, student centered environment made it possible to pursue both, an approach that reflects the University’s mission to create pathways for students balancing academics with work, athletics and leadership.
Read Kailey's story
Citlalith Medrano '22
When Citlalith Medrano ‘22 enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2018, she was searching for more than a degree, she was looking for belonging. As a first-generation Hispanic student, navigating higher education came with challenges. But MSU Denver’s commitment to access opened doors that would shape her future.
Read Citlalith's story
Leah Millis '11
When Leah Millis ’11 arrived at MSU Denver, she was driven by curiosity, creativity and a desire to tell meaningful stories. What she could not have predicted was that her journalism degree would launch a global career documenting some of the most defining moments of the 21st century, from international protests to the halls of the U.S. Capitol.
Read Leah's story
Evan Jovon Morrison '16
When Evan Jovon Morrison ‘16 arrived at MSU Denver, he wasn’t certain college was something he would finish. Raised in Aurora, Colorado, the university’s proximity and accessibility made it a practical choice — but it quickly became much more than that. By committing to just one year, Morrison took a chance on himself, one that would ultimately lead to two degrees, a PhD, and a career in biomedical research.
Read Evan's story
Chucky Moss '88 & '91
The Bird Talk podcast, produced by the MSU Denver Alumni Association, has released a new episode featuring Chucky Moss (’88, ’91), a two-time graduate of MSU Denver’s College of Business and a 30-year veteran of Wolters Kluwer. Hosted by Jamie Hurst, the episode traces Moss’s journey from Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood to a successful global career in finance and accounting.
Listen to Chucky Moss's episode of BirdTalk
Amber Mozet '06
Amber Mozet’s '06 academic journey was not linear, but it was deeply formative. Studying psychology and German while working across campus exposed her to diverse perspectives, institutional leadership and the value of collaboration.
Read Amber's StoryPatsy Marcely Mundell '85
When Patsy Marcely Mundell ‘85 enrolled at what was then Metro State in 1980, college was not guaranteed, it was a risk. With four siblings and parents who could not afford tuition, higher education felt out of reach. Mundell lived at home, worked to support herself and commuted to campus at a time when residence halls did not exist.
Read Patsy's story
Sarah Norton '23
For Sarah Norton, choosing MSU Denver meant choosing possibility. The downtown campus, the fast-paced energy and the opportunity to live in a major city all felt like a new world opening up. “My biggest draw to MSU Denver was the city and campus,” she said. “Living downtown was a new lifestyle compared to what I was used to.”
Read Sarah's story
Karen J. Nuñez Sifuentes ‘21
When Karen J. Nuñez Sifuentes ‘21 began applying to college, she did not yet understand how deeply her identity as an immigrant would shape her path to higher education.
Read Karen's story
Araceli Palacios '23
When Araceli Palacios ‘23 transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver in January 2020, they carried more than just textbooks and ambition, they carried the weight of a difficult decision. After investing over $30,000 in an engineering program, Palacios chose to walk away from a path that didn’t align with their passions.
Read Araceli's story
Lillian Pérez '20
When Lillian Pérez (’20) arrived at MSU Denver, she was searching for more than a degree; she was looking for a community that believed in possibility as fiercely as she did. What she found was a university that not only opened doors but stood beside her through some of the most defining moments of her life.
Read Lillian's story
Stephen Rosenthal '92
When Stephen Rosenthal (’92) relocated from Chicago to Denver in 1983, he didn’t yet imagine his career would one day lead to the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives. His first job, a bartender at the Stapleton Plaza Hotel, sparked an unexpected passion for the hospitality industry and set him on a path of lifelong service, leadership, and connection.
Read Stephen's story
Elizabeth Shields '16
Elizabeth Shields ’16 arrived at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2014 with a clear goal: to complete the prerequisites needed to apply to pharmacy school. MSU Denver offered an accessible, supportive environment where she could pursue rigorous science coursework while preparing for the next step in her academic journey.
Read Elizabeth's story
Naleia Sowell '25
As a student-athlete, Naleia Sowell experienced a version of college life that was demanding and distinct. Athletics, she said, did not overshadow her education, it enhanced it. MSU Denver’s commitment to access allowed her to pursue both high-level athletics and meaningful academic engagement on an urban campus designed to support students from diverse paths and priorities.
Read Naleia's story
Jonathon Stalls '09
For Jonathon Stalls (’09), the road to purpose has always been one walked—literally—one step at a time. When Jonathon arrived at Metropolitan State University of Denver, he was looking for more than just a degree. “I needed a flexible and more affordable experience to move with the many questions I carried around career,” he recalls. “I also wanted quality art and design courses and good transit access.”
Read Jonathon's story
Ramon Orlando Trujillo III '19
For Ramon Orlando Trujillo III ‘19, art is more than expression, it’s livelihood, legacy, and connection to community. As a displaced Aurarian, Ramon was given the opportunity to attend college through paid tuition and could have chosen any institution. He chose Metropolitan State University of Denver, a decision that would shape both his artistic voice and his future.
Read Ramon's story
Arianna Valdez '23
When Arianna Valdez ’11 arrived at MSU Denver, she came as a softball player first. A scholarship gave her the chance to continue competing in the sport she loved while earning a degree, an opportunity that would ultimately shape her identity as a first generation student, athlete and future health professional.
Read Arianna's story
Elisa Varela '10
When Elisa Varela ’10 began searching for a college, she knew she needed a university that would allow her to stay close to home, support her family and continue working both a full-time and part-time job. She found that opportunity at MSU Denver. Varela describes her undergraduate years as challenging, exciting and deeply formative. In small classes centered on communication, identity and power, she found both academic rigor and personal connection.
Read Elisa's story
John Waida '17
When John Waida graduated from high school, he didn’t imagine he’d one day be assessing dam vulnerabilities across the United States and the Caribbean. In fact, he spent nearly a decade attending various universities on and off while working in the food and beverage industry. The long hours, holiday shifts and lack of outdoor work eventually pushed him to rethink his future.
Read John's story
Jerry Ware '91 & '97
When Jerry Ware graduated from a Denver high school in the early 1980s, he was eager to serve. That calling led him to the United States Marine Corps, where he spent three formative years learning discipline, endurance and the importance of completing the mission.
Read Jerry's story
Juliana Wierimaa '13
For Juliana Wierimaa ‘13, MSU Denver was not her original dream school. It was, however, the place that made it possible for her to stay close to home during one of the most difficult seasons of her life.
Read Juliana's story
Maddy Wilson '24
Maddy Wilson ‘24 arrived at MSU Denver as a student-athlete, recruited to play softball and drawn to a campus that offered both opportunity and belonging. What she found was more than a place to compete—it was an environment that combined academic access, personal connection and preparation for a career rooted in service. Graduating in 2024 with a degree in psychology and a pre-healthcare focus, Wilson’s journey reflects MSU Denver’s mission to empower students from all backgrounds to translate education into meaningful social impact.
Read Maddy's Story
Ron Willson '74
When Ron Willson (’74) enrolled at what was then Metropolitan State College, he was a newly married U.S. Army veteran seeking an education that would connect his hands-on technical experience to real-world applications.
Read Ron's story
Lincoln Yersin '85
When Lincoln Yersin ‘85 (Finance) first arrived at Metropolitan State University of Denver, he thought he’d spend only a single semester on campus before transferring to the University of Colorado. But MSU Denver had other plans.
Read Lincoln's story