As a volunteer at the campus鈥檚 applied biomechanics lab, Jes煤s Ramos inevitably found himself drawn to the wonder of the human body in motion.
During recent lab trials, runners wearing digital motion-capture sensors sprinted on treadmills as researchers recorded real-time data to gain insights into how prostheses might affect athletic performance. Ramos, who will graduate this spring with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in integrative physiology, scanned the videos to help make sense of the data.
Since he was a kid, he has dreamed of becoming a doctor, intrigued by the interplay of muscles, sinew, bone and flesh, and the complex structure of the human body.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what drew me to the major,鈥� said Ramos, one of several Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries who are leaving CU 麻豆影院 with degrees in hand and hope in their hearts in spite of uncertainty over the fate of the federal program.
Like Ramos, some 700,000 young people or 鈥淒reamers鈥� who were brought to the United States as children are pursuing college and employment opportunities under DACA while federal lawmakers seek a permanent legislative solution to their complex immigration dilemma.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Ramos arrived in Colorado with his parents and his sister at the age of 3. His father was later deported, but Ramos and the rest of his family endured, and his mother encouraged him and his sister to pursue high school diplomas.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what she understood as the American Dream,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 know what college was.鈥�
A high school English teacher encouraged him to apply to every major Colorado college, and all but one accepted him.
鈥淚 credit a lot of my success to him,鈥� said Ramos, who recalled how both wept after Ramos shared some of the challenges his family has faced in Colorado.
Ramos has excelled at CU 麻豆影院 in part thanks to DACA and Colorado鈥檚 Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET), which allows eligible Colorado high school graduates to pay in-state tuition and qualify for Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) funds to help offset college expenses.
Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid and most rely on donations, scholarships and private funds to pay for the bulk of their college education.
Worries over DACA鈥檚 fate and his ability to pay for medical school have prompted Ramos to pursue another dream鈥搕hat of helping other first-generation students. Next fall, he will head to the University of Maryland to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in student affairs.
鈥淚 want to make sure students have the support they need and are thriving,鈥� Ramos said.
Adam Beaver, assistant director of international outreach and strategic initiatives for Residence Life, served as a campus mentor to Ramos, and observed his willingness to help others.
鈥淗e was engaging both students and staff alike, making everyone he met feel like they mattered,鈥� Beaver said of Ramos鈥� collaborative work in residence life. 鈥淗e seems drawn toward influential positions for the purpose of helping others. His personal goals are found in his desire to make connections and lift up others.鈥�
During his time at CU 麻豆影院, Ramos served as a campus resident adviser, a Residence Hall Association executive director, participated in CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 First Generation Scholars, and was an undergraduate fellow at NASPA, the nation鈥檚 leading voice for student affairs professionals.
Ramos was also an undergraduate teaching assistant and cadaver specialist for the Human Anatomy Lab, and supported the campus鈥檚 Inspired Dreamers, a group of undocumented students who rally each other toward success.
鈥淲hat has made me successful are the people who have mentored me and have been there for me,鈥� Ramos said. 鈥淲ithout them, I would not be in the position I鈥檓 in now.鈥�
In the end, he added, 鈥淚 think I鈥檝e gone above and beyond what my mom expected.鈥�
