The Office of Enrollment & Student Affairs introduced BRAVO! Awards to recognize both individual staff members and groups of team members within Student Affairs who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, outstanding contributions, or remarkable effort at MSU Denver. Nominations are open throughout each term, with winners being announced at an event towards the end of each semester.

Spring 2026 Individual Award Winners

Paul Kubitschek (Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions) | EM

“Paul has tracked the highest number of attendees at college fairs and high school visits he has attended. Out of those event attendees, he has had the most applicants to MSU Denver. He is always willing to support the team, connect with students and make everyone feel at ease which is an example of a solid recruiter.”

Nominated by Jill Schmidt

Cary Aplin (Program Manager of Transfer and Adult Student Success,​ OTR) | EM

“Cary has played a pivotal role in advancing initiatives like Readmit and Finish What You Started, helping to build strong student support structures and establish sustainable policies that empower returning and adult learners. ​

A dedicated member of the MSU Denver community, she consistently centers the student experience through her collaborative approach, strategic partnerships, and active engagement in fostering a supportive and welcoming campus environment.”

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Nominated by Tiffani Baldwin

Tana Ridgeway (Coordinator for Transfer and Adult Student Success​, OTR) | EM

“Through her transformative work with the Transfer Peer Mentor program, meaningful contributions to the Retention Work group, and strong cross-campus partnerships, Tana consistently demonstrates innovation, dedication, and a deeply student-centered approach that strengthens both programs and the overall student experience.”

Nominated by Tiffani Baldwin & Megan Scherzberg

Alex Ertel (Customer Service Manager,​ Office of Registrar) | EM

“Alex consistently demonstrates excellence through her thorough, accurate work and her kind, intentional support of students, staff, faculty, and student employees. She regularly goes above and beyond to enhance the student experience in the Registrar’s Office, bringing a positive attitude and welcoming presence that strengthens both daily operations and the broader campus community.” 

Nominated by Heaven Irwin & Reita Jaseph

Tommy Howard (Financial Aid Advisor​, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships) | EM

“Tommy consistently exceeds expectations, demonstrating initiative, reliability, and a strong commitment to learning, quickly building expertise in financial aid while becoming a trusted resource for colleagues and students. ​

Through his positive attitude, steady leadership, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities, he enhances team performance and delivers a supportive, student-centered experience.”

Nominated by Tori Pacheco, Jake Beaudrie, Kelly Findley, Ryan Smith, Zipporah Roberson & Whitney Simkins

Donovan Ridley (Licensed Clinical Social Worker,​ Counseling Center) | SEW

“The Counseling Center sees hundreds of MSU Denver students, but some students need mental health resources outside the scope of our office. He connects our clients with community care by balancing cost, scope of care, focus of care, accepted insurance, and so many other factors to find a perfect fit.”

Nominated by Briana Brannigan

Collins Robinson (Compliance & Operations Manager​, Office of Dean of Students) | SEW

“Collins has brought such a solid presence to the team, supervising student employees and supporting students navigating complaints. ​

Collins has also revamped the Clery, CSA Training, and many other compliance related reporting that MSU Denver is required to produce. This work takes a lot of collaboration and coordination across campus!”

Nominated by Elise Krumholz

Sena Bryant (Communication Coordinator, Operations & Systems) | C2Hub

“Sena has made an immediate and meaningful impact by strengthening communications, launching the C2Hub Bub newsletter, and leading creative outreach efforts like the Scholarship Fair promotion that drove exceptional engagement. ​

Her energy, humor, and talent have enriched team culture while helping more students connect with resources in engaging and effective ways.”

Nominated by Scott Bergman & Adrienne Martinez

Lauren Koppel (Director of Scholar Support & Retention, Student Success Program) | C2Hub

“Lauren is a fierce advocate for her students and scholarship partners, bringing an equity-minded, detail-oriented, and highly collaborative approach that ensures a positive and thorough experience for all. ​

She excels at building meaningful connections across campus and beyond, supporting student success while empowering her team and partners to thrive.”

Nominated by Scott Bergman & Heaven Irwin

Grace Lyon (Career Counseling Specialist, Career Success Program) | C2Hub

“Grace has quickly made a significant impact on the Career Engagement Team by expanding access to career support, developing effective systems and training for resume and cover letter reviews, and equipping staff to better meet student needs. ​

Through her thoughtful, student-centered approach, engaging workshops, and commitment to ongoing development, she has strengthened career readiness efforts and is already making a meaningful difference.” 

Nominated by Cassie Mullen, Lauren Koppel, Matthew Kring, Bridgette Coble & Nahum Kisner

Spring 2026 Group Award Winners

LGBTQ ​Student Resource Center Team​

(Blue Vargas &​ Tyrell Allen)

“Tyrell and Bleu have had a big year/semester with the move of their office in the Tivoli! They had an incredible turnout for their Open House, which is no doubt due to the deep relationships they have built across campus. Tyrell and Bleu are such an awesome example of supportive, caring, and intentional partners and I am so grateful to be their colleague!” 

Nominated by Elise Krumholz

Admissions Customer Relationship Management Team

(Adrienne Perucca, Daniel Lefe, Jon Nguyen, Mitchell Teston & Star Thao)

“This team is consistently going above and beyond to support operations and ensure a smooth, efficient admissions process. Their responsiveness, teamwork, and dedication—including restoring application turnaround times to 1–3 days—make them truly deserving of this recognition.”

Nominated by Deserie Ontiveros, Kayla Gabreall Nuanez, Tanaye Sadick, Tassie Keenan & Scott Alan Sherter

Classroom to Career Hub Scholarship Support Team

(Jasmine Villalobos-Valles, Lauren Koppel, Mariah Master, Scott Bergman & Sena Bryant)

“This team has a strong commitment to students and their personalized approach to fostering engagement and a sense of belonging on campus. Their willingness to share knowledge and collaborate not only enhances the student experience but also strengthens those around them. ”

Nominated by Christy Bonney

Spring 2026 Service to Students Award

Greg Sullivan (Director, Access Center)

In recognition of his 23 years of dedicated service to MSU Denver and its students, Greg Sullivan has helped shape the Access Center into a model of advocacy, inclusion, and student support since joining the university in 2003. Known for his resilience, compassion, and commitment to equity, Greg has strengthened accessibility services across campus while fostering a culture rooted in care, respect, and community. Colleagues describe him as a steady and transformative leader whose impact extends far beyond systems and policies, touching the lives of students, faculty, and staff alike.

Photos

Spring 2026

Past Winners

Roadrunner Forward Award

Service to Students Award

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