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Contact UsFrom Waived Application Fee to Community Impact, a Life-Changing Story
Amber Mozet’s ’06 path to MSU Denver began with a small but life-changing moment: a waived $25 application fee.
When an admissions representative visited her high school in 2000, the fee waiver made college possible at a time when every dollar mattered. Mozet had planned to attend an out-of-state institution, but when those plans fell through, MSU Denver, then known as Metropolitan State College of Denver, became her next step.
“I thought, ‘Well, I’ll stick with Metro,’” she said.
That decision reflects the heart of MSU Denver’s mission: expanding access to higher education for students whose paths are often shaped by financial realities, unexpected detours and opportunity when it appears.
Learning by Doing and Working on Campus
Within her first two weeks as a student, Mozet secured a job in the Athletics Department. The role offered flexibility, responsibility and trust.
Laura Lempe, Mozet’s former supervisor, allowed Amber to set her own schedule and encouraged her to take on new projects as her interests grew. Mozet typed athletic contracts on a typewriter using triplicate forms, hand-delivered paperwork across campus and helped keep games running smoothly.
But the lessons extended far beyond tasks. When Mozet nearly missed registering for spring classes after ignoring reminder emails, Lempe intervened.
“She’s one of the reasons I finished my degree,” Mozet said.
Mozet worked on campus throughout her undergraduate years, eventually following Lempe to the President’s Office. There, she gained a behind-the-scenes view of how the institution functioned, from faculty tenure processes to the critical role student services play in retention and success.
Academic Excellence Through Community and Mentorship
Mozet’s 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.
“I never thought about committees or how faculty earned tenure,” she said. “Suddenly, I was interacting with faculty and staff at all levels and learning as much as I could.”
That immersive experience provided Mozet with a “whole” education. Her experiences, not only in the classroom, but through mentorship, experiential learning and access to real-world systems prepared her and other students for life beyond graduation.
Staying the Course During Uncertain Times
Mozet graduated in 2006, just as the Financial Crisis reshaped the job market. Unsure of her next step, she stayed at MSU Denver as a full-time employee, transitioning from student worker to professional staff member.
“I was excited to stay employed until I could ‘figure it out,’” she said.
Over time, she worked in several departments, including Human Resources, where she discovered her professional calling. With support from supervisors, coworkers and family, Mozet pursued an online master’s degree in HR management, completing it in 2019.
Her career path took her next to Boulder County’s HR department, where she joined the Talent Acquisition team and deepened her interest in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Advancing Social Mobility Through Community Health
Today, Mozet serves as HR director at Tepeyac Community Health Center, a Denver-based organization providing care to underserved communities. In a small organization of about 90 employees, her role is expansive and deeply personal.
“I went into HR to help people,” she said. “In this role, I get to help people who are going through the worst or the best times of their lives.”
Mozet hires MSU Denver graduates, six currently work at Tepeyac, and supports students entering health care through internships and shadowing opportunities. She also co-leads initiatives focused on employee retention, engagement and health equity. She works tirelessly to provide opportunities for students, using education as a pathway to meaningful careers that uplift individuals and communities alike.
Lessons Rooted in Empathy and Service
Mozet credits MSU Denver with shaping how she shows up as a leader.
“It taught me how to collaborate with people coming from very difficult upbringings and educational experiences,” she said. “It taught me to advocate for those who cannot, and to step back when those folks have the microphone.”
Working on campus exposed her to students facing housing and food insecurity, broadening her understanding of equity and service. She learned to celebrate every success, whether a national championship title or a peer earning the grade they needed to graduate.
Staying Connected as a Roadrunner
Mozet remains deeply engaged with MSU Denver as a member of the Alumni Association Board, helping bridge the gap she once felt after leaving campus.
“The Board mirrors the experiences of our current students,” she said. “I hear about master’s programs, veteran students, Athletics and it keeps me connected.”
She encourages alumni to read alumni emails, attend events and bring their families.
“Any way alums can connect and help our current students, sharing their story, donating time or money, making connections, is the right way,” she said.
A Journey Worth Every Turn
Mozet’s road to graduation and beyond was long and winding, but she would not change it.
“I would not be the person I am today without my journey,” she said.
Her story is a testament to what MSU Denver makes possible: access that opens doors, academic excellence grounded in community and social mobility that extends far beyond campus into workplaces, families and the broader Denver community.