CHHS Advisor Spotlight: Introducing Advising Support in Spanish, with Ana Cruz

This fall, the College of Health and Human Sciences launched a new option that allows students to receive advising support in Spanish or English to better support our diverse and growing community of students. The service is available for CHHS students to book directly for general advising and college support, or through a coordinated process for students who would like Spanish interpretation added to their major-advisor appointments.

To help introduce this, we sat down with Ana Cruz, Academic Advisor for Nutrition and former CHHS student worker, whose lived experience and passion for student support helped shape this new resource for our College.

Q: Ana, can you share a bit about your background and what led you to advising?
A: I moved from San Luis Potosí, Mexico to Colorado when I was 14, and learning a new language while adjusting to a new country was a big challenge. I was fortunate enough to attend the bilingual Abraham Lincoln High School, but when I transitioned to college, there weren’t many Spanish-speaking advisors. That stayed with me – and it motivated me to become that resource for other students who shared both the same culture and language.

Q: You worked in the CHHS Dean’s Office as a student. How did that shape your approach now?
A: As a peer mentor, I often supported students in Spanish, even informally. I saw how much it helped them feel comfortable asking questions and navigating resources. That experience made me realize how meaningful bilingual advising could be, especially for first-generation or newly arrived students who may not know where to start.

Q: What do you wish more people understood about navigating college in a second language?
A: Even if you speak English, it may not be the language where you feel the most confident, especially when you’re stressed or learning something new. Being able to communicate in your first language helps you connect, understand options more clearly, and advocate for yourself. It makes a real difference in building trust between student and advisor.

Q: How can CHHS students request Spanish-language advising?
A: Students can schedule directly with me through the College of Health and Human Sciences General Advising location in Navigate. If they want me to join a meeting with their major advisor as a translator, they should call the CHHS Advising front desk at 303-615-1099 or email [email protected] – our staff will coordinate the appointment.

More CHHS advisor spotlights coming soon!