Colorado Educational Services & Development Association
2019-2020 Executive Board
The executive board is made up of a group of CESDA members that play vital roles to the success of this organization. Each year members are voted into each position.
CHAIR
As a retired Assistant Director of Admissions/Recruitment with 31 years of service at the University of Colorado Denver. She received her BA in Communication Minor in Ethnic Studies and Master in Social Sciences/Student Counseling from the University of Colorado Denver. Her experience is training, recruiting, human resources, academic advising, oversee budgetary operations, creating workshops and program development. She has developed partnerships with churches, schools, community organizations by presenting topics on: Financial Resources, Admissions Requirements, “How To Plan For College”, Grant Writing, Personal Etiquette and Personnel Issues. She received various awards for commitment and dedication to high school students, served on various educational committees, community outreach and training of college representatives throughout Colorado.
Currently working as a Coordinate/Human Resources/Finance for the CU-Succeed Programs. The CU Succeed Silver and Gold Programs collaborate with Colorado high schools to offer college courses to high school students and give them the opportunity to gain exposure to the college experience. Those students who attend UC Denver will be given an annual $1500 scholarship.
Sharon Simmons
University of Colorado Denver
VICE CHAIR
Damontá Madden is an Admission Counselor at the University of Colorado Boulder. Prior to his role with the University of Colorado Boulder, he received his Bachelor of Science from Ferris State University in Criminal Justice and Master's degree in Higher Ed. from Indiana State University.
Prior to receiving his two degrees, Damontá's life did not have a conventional beginning. As the oldest of seven siblings, he transitioned to foster care when he was thirteen years old due to the unsafe environment in which he was living. Damontá resided in Detroit, MI for one year with his first foster family and then moved to Grand Blanc, MI with his second and what would become a permanent foster family.
Damontá has a strong commitment to working with students in underserved populations and providing overall access to higher education. In his leisure time, Damontá enjoys creating art, reading a plethora of literature from various authors, enjoying authentic cuisine and relishing the moments with his friends and family.
TREASURER
Lesa Briggs
University fo Colorado Denver
Lesa Briggs is currently employed by the University of Colorado Denver as Assistant Director of K-12 Outreach and develops financial literacy education materials to CU Denver students as well as for local high schools and community outreach programs. She has over 30 years of combined experience in financial aid and other financial literate and legal policy matters. She is a member various local and national organizations and was awarded a Post-Secondary Professional of the Year by the Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA). She has served on the CAFAA Board in various positions, is a member of the CAFAA Financial Aid Awareness Committee, serves Homeless and unaccompanied student Liaison (SPOC) and currently sat as the Financial Aid Committee Chair for Colorado Council of High Schools/College Relations (CCHS/CR) and She received her BS degree in Business Education from Eastern Michigan University and her MS degree in Higher Education from Walden University. Her goal is to advise and share accessible information and resources to as many students, families’ and communities about pursuing higher learning to meet achievable and sustainable goals that will enlighten and enhance financial well-being for stable financial futures. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, singing and reading.
Roderick Rose is the Associate Director of Admission at the University of Denver. He is from Denver, Colorado, grew up in the Montbello neighborhood, and attended Bishop Machebeuf High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Sociology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of Denver. Roderick enjoys working with youth and has done so through coaching high school basketball, church youth group, and other community outreach initiatives. Roderick resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Nena, and their two daughters.
FUNDRAISING
Rod Rose, Co-Chair
University of Denver
Roderick.Rose@du.edu
Amanda Graham is a Senior Admissions Counselor at Adams State University and is regionally based out of her home office in Colorado Springs. Amanda is from Denver, Colorado and went to Northglenn High School. Amanda went on to earn her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Master's of Business Administration from Adams State University. Amanda is also a Co-Chair for the Day/Night Fair Committee for Colorado Council and is excited to help continue the relationship between CESDA and Colorado Council. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with her husband and dog.
COLORADO COUNCIL (CO-LIAISON)
Amanda Graham
Adams State University
agraham@adams.edu
Meagan has been a Regional Director of Recruitment in Admissions for Western Colorado University for the past 4 years. She loves supporting students to find the best-fit school and is passionate about access for all students. She is from Lakewood, Colorado, where she attended Green Mountain High School before earning her degree in Integrative Physiology and Secondary Science licensure from CU Boulder. Following college she lived in Brooklyn, New York and during that time taught kindergarten, first and fifth grade while earning her Master’s Degree in Teaching. Outside of work she loves to stay active, spend time with her husband/dog and cook. Meagan has volunteered on various Colorado Council committees for the past few years and is excited to support the relationship between the two organizations!
COLORADO COUNCIL (CO-LIAISON)
Meagan Tracey
Western Colorado University
mtracey@western.edu
Bio Coming Soon ...
COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS LIAISON
Dean Wilson
DIRECTORY
VANCANT
Amy is a native of Wyoming where she completed her undergraduate education at the University of Wyoming with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Chicano studies. While studying sociology, she began to understand the inequality and disparities that existed within various populations; especially those in low-income communities along with racial, ethnic and gender minorities. Being an active student leader also helped her to become cognizant of the inequality and disparities that existed at her institution and within her community, it was then she decided to pursue a career that would allow her to advocate for those populations.
This career path led her to Iowa State University where she obtained a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a concentration in Higher Ed/Student Affairs where she also worked with Admissions in Multicultural Recruitment and Multicultural Student Affairs. After 4 years of being away from “home”, Amy decided it was time to move closer to home and found her way to the Pre-Collegiate Development Program at CU Boulder. This year will her third year with the program.
As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, and a former first generation Latina college student, Amy uses her personal experiences to aid in her ability to relate to students. Amy has a passion for empowering students to pursue a higher education and aiding in their success as they pursue their career and dreams. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and loved ones, working out, traveling, reading, shopping, and serving the community.
Amy Molina
University of Colorado Boulder
SCHOLARSHIPS
As the Senior Data Manager for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes at the Anshutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, I work daily to maintain and help investigators find preventions and hopefully one day a cure for type 1 diabetes. I have worked many years for higher education and helping students and now I am helping patients.
Even though I moved on to the medical field I still have a passion to help students especially those who are undepreviliage which is what the mission of CESDA is all about.
My second passion is technology which is why being the chair of website/technology is such a perfect fit.
WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY
Danny Felipe-Morales
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Daniel.Felipe-Morales@CUAnschutz.edu
.jpg)
Laura is the K-12 Outreach Coordinator for the University of Colorado Denver. She enjoys working closely with local schools to ensure that students experience meaningful, interactive visits to campus. Additionally, Laura manages the CU Denver concurrent enrollment program, which brings over 50 high school students to campus each semester for college classes. Outside of work, Laura is a dedicated mom to her two daughters and is completing her Master’s Degree in the School of Public Affairs. Laura is extremely excited to become part of the CESDA leadership team and looks forward to ensuring a healthy relationship with the Colorado Council!
ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
Laura Hager
University of Colorado Boulder
laura.hager@ucdenver.edu
Coming soon...
ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
Charita Thompson
University of Colorado Denver
charita.thompson@ucdenver.edu
Auriel was born and raised in Montbello, Denver, CO. As a first generation, college graduate of CU Denver, she understands the importance of guiding first generation students through the college process. She is currently the Business Services Coordinator for Pre-Collegiate and Academic Outreach at CU Denver, which is a program that provides support to first generation students who strive to obtain a higher education. She has been involved with this program since her freshman year of high school as a participant and through college as a student staff. Being involved with Pre-Collegiate for many years has not only made her appreciative of the support that was offered to her but also her ability to guide and mentor students through their college process. Therefore, she is honored to be a part of CESDA and to continue giving back to Colorado’s youth and its community.
MEMBERSHIP
Auriel Valdez
University of Colorado Denver
Bio coming soon ...
COMMUNICATIONS
VACANT