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The Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) recently selected CU �鶹ӰԺ as its College Partner of the Year.

The, which seeks to inspire and empower Denver Public Schools students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions, works with 31 college partners, including technical and community colleges and universities across Colorado. CU �鶹ӰԺ received the award on Oct. 13 at the DSF annual gala in Denver. 

CU �鶹ӰԺ was selected because of its commitment to creating an especially welcoming and supportive college community, one where DSF scholars can thrive and achieve their educational goals, according to the foundation.

CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement and the CU LEAD Alliance have partnered with DSF since 2007, working closely with the foundation and other college partners to invest resources in scholars and student communities through college graduation.

In addition, CU �鶹ӰԺ’s Admissions Office collaborates with DSF Future Centers in 14 DPS high schools, and scholars who attend CU �鶹ӰԺ later receive extensive on-campus advising.

According to the foundation, more DSF scholars are choosing CU �鶹ӰԺ than ever before, partially because of the university’s dedication to student success. During the 2019–20 academic year, 216 DSF scholars were enrolled at CU �鶹ӰԺ and received a total of $588,100 in scholarship awards. Since DSF’s 2006 founding, 703 DSF scholars have received funds to attend CU �鶹ӰԺ.

“CU �鶹ӰԺ has been especially committed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensuring success for DSF scholars and other students,” said Lorii Rabinowitz, DSF's chief executive officer. "Congratulations CU �鶹ӰԺ!”  

The award recognizes how the university partners with DSF to support first-generation and low-income students before college, through their college careers and as they work toward graduation.

"CU �鶹ӰԺ is honored to receive this award,” said Sonia DeLuca Fernández, CU �鶹ӰԺ’s senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion, who accepted the award on behalf of the university at DSF’s gala. “Through partnerships like this one, we honor Colorado talent and place diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of our academic mission.”

Christopher Pacheco, CU �鶹ӰԺ’s assistant vice chancellor for precollege outreach and engagement, said the DSF scholars are a vital part of the campuswide network of enrichment programs.

“Their academic talent and rich social culture enhance the programs they join at CU �鶹ӰԺ and add to the overall vibrance of the university community,” said Pacheco, whose precollege outreach and engagement programs provide academic enrichment, starting in middle school, to about 1,400 first-generation and low-income students and families from across the state and beyond each year.

During the gala, Pacheco and Camila Taylor, a former CU �鶹ӰԺ admissions counselor, were thanked publicly for their work with DSF scholars. In addition,  was premiered at the event. 

Along with a comprehensive blend of admissions outreach and on-campus services, CU �鶹ӰԺ provides significant financial resources to its DSF scholars. On average, for every dollar awarded by the DSF scholarship, CU �鶹ӰԺ awards $3.59 in institutional aid to these scholars. 

The DSF scholar persistence rate at CU �鶹ӰԺ is 95%, with the majority of students on track to graduate. Since its inception, DSF has supported more than 41,000 DPS students and awarded $48 million in need-based scholarships and comprehensive support services to 7,676 DPS graduates