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Geological sciences
Undergraduate

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and chase opportunities. You're a lot more capable than you think!

Jennifer Stempien of geological sciences praises Sedinam

Sedinam Biassey-Bogart is an exceptional planetary geoscientist with a unique combination of research experience, academic achievements and involvement. She completed her senior honors thesis using analytic glacial isostatic adjustment models to compute Earth's viscoelastic response to loading and unloading. Sedi interned at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, performing mapping of Mars; worked in the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy, designing a mission to understand polar layered deposits on Mars; and interned at the Lunar & Planetary Institute, examining models and altimetry data. She is an active volunteer, serving as an education and outreach student assistant at the CIRES, working with Ad Astra Academy at the Fiske Planetarium and participating in the Women of Color in STEM and the Black Student Alliance at CU �鶹ӰԺ. Overall, Sedi’s dedication to planetary science makes her a young geoscientist to watch, and we cannot wait to see what she does next.

Physics
Undergraduate

Stay open-minded. I came to CU with a fixed idea of my path. Yet, once I started classes, I discovered about a dozen different topics I wanted to pursue. I was able to explore each through the diverse classes and research offered at CU. Ultimately, I found a field within physics that I never envisioned myself in as a freshman.

Juliet Gopinath of electrical, computer & energy engineering praises Juliet

She is a student of outstanding caliber who is self-motivated, able to teach herself about new topics, unafraid to ask questions and hard working.  She has worked hard in my lab and shown her passion for science, and this inspired me as well as my graduate students. She was the only female student in my lab but was not intimidated, and helped me to recruit other female students for the lab!  Her hard work has resulted in a peer-reviewed conference paper and a journal paper that is ready to be submitted.  Her presentations are some of the best I've seen!  She also successfully wrote and defended an honors thesis.  These are all fantastic achievements for an undergraduate and indications of a truly amazing student!

Dance Minor in A&S, Integrated Design Engineering
Undergraduate

The best advice I can tell any student coming into the arts & sciences is to let your ego go and fail as often as you can. It's so crucial to know that failure is easiest when you’re practicing and building up your knowledge rather than the high-stress or high-stakes situations. Embrace the slip-ups, the bumps, and the major falls that come along your path; it's learning how to get up after each failure that really matters.

Erika Randall of theatre and dance praises Lily

In the true spirit of ANDing and celebrating our A&S minors from across campus, I am nominating one of the most dedicated dance students I have worked with in my time here, Lily Buehler. Though she is from another college, she exemplifies the ampersand of A&S and is a connector at heart. She chose not only her engineering degree but also her dance minor to get a feel for the community in �鶹ӰԺ, because building community, to her, is a fundamental part of the engineering process. Being in a male-dominated field and major has presented many challenges during her time at CU. Through her dance minor in A&S, Lily has found time to breathe and remember her strengths. Dance, she has told me, allows her to experience a liberatory dynamic, one where she has been surrounded by female empowerment and positive energy. The duality of dance has helped her succeed in her engineering courses. Watching Lily's growth in every direction these last many semesters in my ballet classes and two repertory pieces has been magic. She has shared her wisdom with the class that her minor supported her to let go of expectations and fail constantly to learn constantly!

Psychology and neuroscience
Undergraduate

My best advice is for students to get involved with something that interests them as soon as possible and to stick with it!

Chelsea Taylor of psychology and neuroscience praises Emma:

Emma came to CU with the ambition of becoming a capable and resourceful researcher and has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal while also juggling difficult courses and stressful life circumstances. She joined my research lab at the beginning of her second semester in her first year and has been with me since. She started as a meet-and-greet RA, conducted her first poster analysis in her second year, was helping me design and program studies by her third, and just completed her own successful Honors Thesis research project that she designed from the ground up about how STEM aptitude feedback tests impact student procrastination and self-efficacy. She has since secured an internship as a researcher at the Anschutz Children's Hospital and is already collaborating with future Honors Thesis students who wish to continue her procrastination work.

Psychology and neuroscience
Undergraduate

It might be bad to say, but don't take life too seriously. Study hard and focus on academics, but also make sure to have fun. When I first got to CU—during a global pandemic, I might add—my plan was to focus on school and school only. Fortunately, my plans worked out for my first year, as I did not make many friends. The friends I did make, I don't really know anymore. However, my second year, I met a group of people, and I am glad to call them friends for life. I hung out with them a lot over the next three years and made so many fun and amazing memories with them that I will never forget. College is all about experiences, so make sure to go have amazing experiences with anyone you can! 

Diana Maggiore of mathematics praises Meena

Meena is a top-performing and well-rounded student in my Quantitative Reasoning math class (MATH 1012). She is engaged while learning material, asks questions when she wants to understand deeper and assists classmates around her. She works ahead of schedule and checks in with me frequently to get feedback on her progress and understanding. There are a lot of freshmen in the class, so her inquiries and actions are great modeling for how to be a successful learner in this modern era of internet and artificial intelligence. She has also shared with me her involvement in leadership positions and volunteer work, and she demonstrated the ability to manage large class loads while suffering the loss of her mother last year. I think she will go far in life. I believe she deserves to be recognized for her hard work, perseverance and service to others.

Psychology and neuroscience
Undergraduate

As cliché as it sounds, the best advice I could give other students is to do all you can to put yourself out there. College is such a unique time, when you have access to so many opportunities that are much harder to come by when out of school, and taking advantage of as many opportunities as you can will make your time here so full. I attended clubs alone, which was nerve-wracking, but brought me some of my closest friends. I was anxious about applying to research labs on campus because I knew how sought-after the roles were, but I applied anyway, and got the chance to work at an incredible lab doing riveting research with amazing people. I would have lost so much of what made my time at CU �鶹ӰԺ as amazing as it was if I had not taken chances, so I encourage other students to quiet the anxious voice in their heads, take a risk and try to say yes to any opportunity that arises!

Cinnamon Bidwell of psychology and neuroscience praises Shelly

There is so much that makes Shelly amazing! Shelly is a double major in neuroscience and psychology, minoring in business. Despite her rigorous academic load, she has been an active member of the research team at CUChange for the past two years. In that time, we at CUChange have watched Shelly grow into an exceptionally competent associate who goes above the expectations of an undergrad. Shelly has proven herself again and again by taking initiative with data collection and participant recruitment procedures. Her work has ensured that we have a constant stream of research participants, and she has been a critical part of nearly three different studies in the lab. She has always been a very motivational and positive presence for the research team and participants alike. Her remarkable growth throughout her tenure on the team is a testament to her dedication and proactive approach. She brings a special energy to all of CUChange that everyone loves and will miss when she's graduated. We miss you already, Shelly! Congratulations!

Applied mathematics PhD program
Graduate

Fight to safeguard your time away from work (homework/research). A healthy work/life balance is necessary for long-term success.

Gabriella Kirkley of applied math praises Andrew

Andrew Lawrence volunteered to help at every major departmental function—social nights, alumni talks, commencements, grad appreciation luncheons—and thoughtfully contributed to all. He served for a whole year as our friendly neighborhood grad rep, advocating for numerous student-centered initiatives, including prelim study groups; a total revamp of our milestone structure; more Alumni Talks; and funding for Teatime, a meeting he held twice a week for all grads to gather and have tea and snacks. Andrew gave recruits 45-minute tours two years in a row and wrote a script for future tour guides. He officially and unofficially mentored many individual students and mentorship pods! He would do things like take prospective students out for coffee or show up at commencement with flower bouquets for all the staff (who does that?). Andrew passionately worked to build our applied mathematics community. I seriously plan to messy cry very loudly during his graduation ceremony.

Psychology and neuroscience
Undergraduate

My advice for other students would be to take advantage of all that college has to offer! Go to clubs and events, take the classes that interest you, talk to your professors about the cool things they do and enjoy the people and nature around you!

Cinnamon Bidwell of psychology and neuroscience praises Katie

Katie Baker started in the CUChange wet lab as part of the Uplift undergraduate research program in fall 2023. When training, she was always attentive and excited to learn new study protocols, and came prepared with insightful questions and creative solutions. Throughout her adventure with the lab, she created her own independent research project through the Uplift program looking at the cannabis expectancy effects on perceived anxiety outcomes. During the course of her project, she excelled in all areas of human research that we carry out at CUChange, including biological data collection, data management, sample processing and data presentation. In short, Katie was an extraordinary asset to our lab. She elevated the culture at CUChange and displayed first-rate leadership qualities such as problem solving, adaptability, resilience, effortless friendliness and situational awareness. We will miss Katie and are excited to see her future accomplishments!

Art practices
Undergraduate

Remember, you can achieve anything with hard work, even if you face resistance for being different. Embrace your uniqueness, push through the challenges and pursue your dreams relentlessly.

Anne Becher of Spanish and Portuguese praises Pearl

Perla—as I know Pearl Rael—enrolled in my intensive first-year Spanish class last fall. She was excited about formally studying the language she had learned at home but hadn't spoken much since her first years in elementary school, when her teachers pressured her to speak only English to “fit in” with her fellow students. I have rarely seen a first-year Spanish student as dedicated to studying the language. She was always ready and willing to dive into the immersive and risky environment of our class. Little did I know she is also a gifted and inspired artist! This semester in an independent study with me, she has been writing and illustrating a children's book in Spanish for kids who feel—like she did as a child—different from their peers. Seeing her book develop during each of our weekly meetings has been a highlight of my semester. I can’t wait to see it in print!

Chemistry
Graduate

If you are clear about what you want to become after graduation, do your utmost to achieve it. If you are uncertain, strive to strengthen your background as much as possible, because opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.

Wei Zhang of chemistry praises Shaofeng

Since 2018, Shaofeng has focused on using dynamic alkyne metathesis reactions to construct novel molecular architectures and crystalline polymers under my supervision in the Department of Chemistry at CU �鶹ӰԺ. During his graduate studies, he has demonstrated exceptional achievements in multiple areas. Academically, he has received recognition from the department, university and the American Chemical Society. In teaching, he has shown phenomenal performance in mentoring students and has received the TA award from the department. In the research lab, he successfully transitioned from focusing solely on his own research to helping junior graduate students adapt to their graduate studies. Outside the lab, he has built collaborations beyond the department, university and even outside the United States.

Integrative physiology
Undergraduate

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can offer to students is to use the resources provided by the university. Whether that involves creating meaningful connections with professors, engaging in research projects on campus or immersing yourself in various clubs, these opportunities are a great way to become involved in the community and cultivate lasting connections that extend far beyond undergraduate years. These experiences not only offer invaluable insights, mentorship and guidance that enrich your academic journey, but they can also create a sense of belonging and community, which is so important to have!

Angela Bryan of psychology and neuroscience praises Kotryna

Kotryna has excelled in all aspects of her education. She is always enthusiastic about the work she is doing, whether it is independently or with her peers. While on our team, she was always dependable and took initiative with the research to which she contributed. Her energy and presence have always created a comfortable and calm space for our participants. Kotryna is a great student and with no doubt will only transcend while pursuing a career in medicine.

Physics/women and gender studies
Undergraduate

Work hard but rest harder—you won't actually remember anything you do on no sleep or when you're so stressed you can't focus. If you stay on top of resting, then you won't struggle to get things done.

Kristen Apodaca of physics praises Eleanor

Ellie earned magna cum laude on her honors thesis research project studying the quark-gluon plasma with Professor Nagle and Professor Perepelitsa. She worked on simulating the quark gluon plasma produced at sPHENIX, as well as hardware construction and testing for sPHENIX's event plane detector. Through efforts to build community, she also helped reinvigorate the Society of Physics Students chapter by serving as co-president.

International affairs and Chinese
Undergraduate

Be sure to give things the “old college try”—literally! Go to that conference, ask those questions, let your curiosity be your guide. Your time at CU is a great opportunity for discovering passions you never thought about before.

Yingjie Li of Asian Studies and Civilizations praises Frances

Emmeline, known as Emmy, demonstrates academic excellence as a double major in international affairs and Chinese, with a minor in creative technology and design. In my Chinese language classes, Emmy consistently earned As over four semesters through her hard work and dedication. She actively participated in many language events in our department and gained a study abroad opportunity in Taiwan with the Tang Foundation Scholarship. Emmy's achievements are numerous, but I will always remember her as an eager language learner with a polite yet beautiful smile on her face. She has also been nominated by multiple faculties as the speaker representative for undergraduate Chinese students at the 2024 spring graduation. Emmy’s exceptional leadership and teamwork skills make her an outstanding candidate for the amazing-grads recognition.

Anthropology MA
Graduate

My best piece of advice for other students is to really get to know your professors, TAs, advisors and the staff in your department! College can absolutely be tricky to navigate at both the undergraduate and graduate level, so having a supportive network of people who will advocate for you will really benefit you in the long run.

Kathryn Goldfarb of anthropology praises Lucas

Lucas Rozell’s MA research in anthropology focused on the playfulness with which transgender individuals engage with traditional gender norms, with special attention to how subverting these norms is explicitly eroticized. Lucas is smart, pragmatic, empathetic, funny and an incredible writer, mobilizing both autoethnographic insights and skillful engagement with secondary literature. He manages to convey complex concepts in a conversational style, a skill that will make his academic insights accessible to his interlocutors and to the public. He was a research assistant for two years for the Marshall Fire Story Project, a collaborative endeavor with the Louisville Historical Museum with the objective to document community members’ accounts of the devastating December 2021 fire. This work relied on compassionately holding space for people to share traumatic and emotional accounts. Lucas’s life has not always been easy, and his resilience and drive are assets to his professional and personal engagements.