As an accomplished teacher, emerging educational historian and rigorous scholar, PhD graduate Derek LeFebre demonstrates exemplary passion and commitment to his work. 

A Colorado native raised in Aurora, Colorado, LeFebre taught history, science and Spanish in Greeley for over 10 years before starting his doctoral studies. He chose to complete his PhD in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice at the CU �鶹ӰԺ School of Education to work with renowned Professor Rubén Donato, as LeFebre was familiar with Donato’s educational history research into the experiences of Mexican Americans in Colorado. Instead of Colorado, his research, however, focuses on northern New Mexico, where he and his family have deep roots.

LeFebre’s dissertation examines how Hispano education evolved in relation to the Hispano land rights struggle from 1846 to 1919 in Northern New Mexico after the U.S. occupied New Mexico in 1846. His dissertation argues that Hispanos (individuals with multigenerational roots in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico) established schools to defend their land and autonomy, and his research “underscores how Hispano schools strengthened and fueled the land rights struggle during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.” 

To complete his research, LeFebre poured over primary source documents from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including Spanish-language sources by Hispano educators and community members. In doing so, he also found and told stories of educators who became leaders in the struggle for Hispano land rights.

“Derek illustrates early examples of social justice educators in the late 19th century, including principles of social justice unionism, wherein education was oriented toward social change, linguistic preservation, and critiques of power and domination,” said Donato, his award nominator and dissertation advisor.

LeFebre’s outstanding dissertation and commitment to telling these untold histories of a community not well-represented in history is why the Donato nominated LeFebre for the 2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award. 

“He is one of the hardest-working students I have advised through my 35-year career in higher education. As a committed and rigorous scholar, Derek has demonstrated to be a remarkable student, instructor, researcher and community member with true critical consciousness of racial inequities within the educational system.”

LeFebre is excited to share his research with relatives and community members who, like his family, have deep roots in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. 

After graduation, LeFebre will begin preparing for the 2024 Western History Association Conference in Kansas City, where he will present on a panel, “Pedagogies of Liberation.” Not only does this graduation represent a significant milestone for LeFebre, it also marks Donato’s retirement after multiple decades. The legacy of scholarship documenting the many powerful contributions of Hispano educators and activists is in good hands as Donato passes the torch, and leaders like LeFebre take up this impactful and overdue scholarship.

In his own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I was born in Denver and raised in Aurora, Colorado. All my K-12 schooling experiences occurred in Colorado public schools. I graduated from high school in 1999 and became the first-generation in my family to attend and graduate from a university in 2004. I earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish and master's degree in history from the University of Northern Colorado. I chose CU �鶹ӰԺ because I wanted to study the history of education in northern New Mexico with Dr. Rubén Donato.”

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  I learned a lot about generosity during my time at CU �鶹ӰԺ. There were so many generous people who assisted and supported me on the PhD journey. For example, Bill and Connie Barclay funded my dissertation research with a Miramontes Doctoral Scholars fellowship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many generous archivists and librarians who digitized archival sources and opened archival repositories for me. My advisor, Dr. Rubén Donato, was especially generous with his time. He spent hours reading and discussing my dissertation drafts. Finally, there was family. My primos Marc and Ida in Albuquerque hosted me during several research trips, discussed my project, and helped me translate old archival records. My wife, Elizabeth, and my children, Elias and Sylvain, were especially generous as they allowed me the time and space to complete this work. I am inspired by these acts of generosity. In the next chapter of my life, I am excited to be similarly generous to others.”

What does graduating from CU �鶹ӰԺ represent for you or your family/community?

  My family is very proud that I will graduate from CU �鶹ӰԺ. They are proud that I will earn a PhD in Education. Many of my relatives and community members are also excited to read my research about the history of education in New Mexico. I have already shared it with several individuals who, like me and my family, have deep roots in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  Start writing. Dedicate an hour of time to writing in the early morning. Write at your local coffee shop. Be the first one to order a drink. Get to know the baristas. They should expect to see you every day. Keep a journal. Write a term paper. Compose a letter to your grandmother. It does not matter what you write. It matters that writing becomes a normal part of your daily routine. You will thank yourself for establishing this habit. Writing your dissertation will not be easy, but with a writing routine in place, it will come more naturally. You might even enjoy it. So...start writing.”  

What are your next steps after graduation?

  After graduation, I will begin preparing for the 2024 Western History Association Conference in Kansas City. I am one of four historians who will present on panel called, ‘Pedagogies of Liberation.’” 

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Yazmine Lynette Patiño is passionate about supporting first-generation college students as one herself. 

“I’m the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family” she said. “Graduating from CU �鶹ӰԺ represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family.”

Patiño grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she was drawn to CU �鶹ӰԺ's scenic location and the School of Education’s reputation for her master’s studies.

She has been selected as the 2024 Outstanding Master’s Graduate for Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice for her academic performance and her “diligence, thoughtfulness, and excellence in research” that she demonstrated in her classes as well as during her final capstone project. Patiño’s capstone project involved a thorough interviews exploring the experiences of staff members in pre-collegiate programs designed for first-generation and underrepresented students in higher education and it applied theories of community cultural wealth — centering students assets from their families, culture and experiences — and "acompañamiento” — the idea of learning alongside of students.

Patiño’s graduation is only the beginning. She hopes to continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or support first-generation students on college campuses.

In her words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

  I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and I moved to Colorado almost two years ago to attend CU �鶹ӰԺ. After graduating with my bachelor's, I knew I wanted to return to school for my master's but wasn't sure what I wanted to study or where. I've always had a love for education and learning and loved the idea of being a part of others' educational journeys. With that in mind, I chose to pursue a master's degree in education. Both the beautiful location and the great things I had heard about the School of Education at CU �鶹ӰԺ drew me to apply for the master's in educational foundations, policy and practice.

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at CU �鶹ӰԺ that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter of your life?

  You, especially as a student, will never have enough hours in the day to read everything there is to read on a particular subject. And that's okay. It takes many, many years to become an expert, so as long as you continue to learn and read about the subjects that interest you, you will be okay. 

What does graduating from CU �鶹ӰԺ represent for you or your family/community?

  Graduating from CU �鶹ӰԺ represents sacrifice, growth, and possibilities for myself and for my family. I'm the first in my family to receive a bachelor's and now a master's degree, both of which I could not have accomplished without the unwavering support of my family, especially when I decided to move away from home to attend CU �鶹ӰԺ. Every educational milestone has also represented the possibilities that are out there for my younger siblings, who now have an older sister to help them through whatever educational pathway they choose to follow. 

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

  I would advise incoming students to make time in their schedule to meet with their professors and advisors at least once every semester. They have such a wealth of knowledge not only about the subjects they teach, but about academia in general that is worth tapping into. 

What are your next steps after graduation?

  After graduation, I hope to either continue working for the Colorado Department of Education or work on a college campus supporting first-generation students. 

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