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For first-generation college graduate Royer Lopez (Mktg'18), the CU Â鶹ӰԺ experience has shaped his life long after his time as a student. Lopez, now an advertising professional in Denver, fosters a dedication to higher education in his daily life. His helps give more students access to college, and at CU Â鶹ӰԺ, his commitment to mentoring Buffs, hosting alumni events and advocating for diversity at the university serves as a testament to the power of alumni engagement. 

What motivated you to attend CU Â鶹ӰԺ?

Growing up, I was a huge football fan, and CU’s football program in the 1990s was a big draw. But it wasn’t only football that attracted me — it was the beauty of Â鶹ӰԺ and the campus environment that made me fall in love with CU.

I was also part of a program in middle school that encouraged students to aspire to attend college. With that program, I visited college campuses. Seeing CU Â鶹ӰԺ in person made me even more determined to attend. It felt like the perfect place to build my future.

How did your experience at CU Â鶹ӰԺ inspire you to stay connected to the university?

My time at CU Â鶹ӰԺ wasn’t traditional, but that’s part of what made it so meaningful. I started at CU in 2011, but because of financial challenges, I had to go part-time while working full-time at Wells Fargo. I spent six years balancing work and school, which was challenging but gave me invaluable experience. I could apply what I was learning in real time, which made my education even more relevant.

During that time, I also realized I needed a bit more support. That’s when I joined a fraternity in the Multicultural Greek Council, which helped me connect to a more diverse community and find the extra encouragement I needed. I also found community through the , which ultimately helped me land a job before I even graduated.

My brothers and my wife, Angelica Chavez-Lopez (Econ’17; MEdu’21), also graduated from CU, which has been such a pivotal part of our lives. Now, I want to give back to the university that gave me so much. My experiences at CU Â鶹ӰԺ drive me to stay connected and help enrich the university and its community.

How are you currently involved at CU Â鶹ӰԺ?

It’s important to me to stay connected to CU Â鶹ӰԺ. I’m an at-large member of the Forever Buffs Advisory Board, where I help support and promote alumni engagement. I also serve as the director of communications for the Leeds Gold Board, which focuses on graduates of the last decade.

I mentor through the Leeds Professional Mentoring Program. I’ve even started an internship program at my agency, bringing in students from Leeds to give them hands-on experience.

I’m also a part of ForeverGold, CU’s alumni giving program, and I’ve been able to host events like the Multicultural Greek reunion during Homecoming. That event helped create a space where alumni from diverse backgrounds could come together and reconnect with CU. We had 75 people show up in the first year, and it was amazing to see how many were inspired to get more involved with the CU community.

On a personal level, I’m a season ticket holder for CU football and enjoy attending games and tailgating with fellow alumni. My wife’s involvement with CU also helps keep me connected. Overall, I try to engage in ways that benefit me and help strengthen the CU Â鶹ӰԺ community for future Buffs.

What does it mean to be a Forever Buff?

Being a Forever Buff means much more than just my connection to CU Â鶹ӰԺ — it’s about the impact we can have on others. It’s not just about having a degree or a connection to the university; it’s about helping future generations of Buffs succeed. The possibilities of what we can accomplish as Forever Buffs are limitless. I believe it’s our responsibility to share what we’ve learned and allow others to be part of this amazing community.