Meet seven of the University of Northern Colorado’s fall 2024 graduates who shared their stories with us about their time at UNC, both challenging and exciting, what their plans are after commencement and advice they would give to future Bears.
Katarina Cook
Hometown: Gunnison, Colorado
Area of study: Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality, minor in Business Administration
Reflection on your time at UNC: I chose UNC because I loved the campus as soon as I stepped onto it. I have always valued community and I knew immediately that this was a community I wanted to be involved in. There are a few things that made me successful here.
The first was having Professor Julie Kennedy as one of my instructors. She cares so deeply about each student she teaches and has truly made an impact on me. She has inspired me to always set high expectations for myself and to work hard. The second is working at the Campus Recreation Center. The environment, student staff and full time staff have made my UNC experience 10 times better and I can truly say that my college experience would not be the same had I not worked at the Rec Center. I have loved the opportunity to interact with students from all walks of life and expand my professional experiences. The final thing that has made me successful at UNC is my sorority. Joining Greek life was never something that I thought I would do growing up because of all of the stereotypes. I’ve never thought of myself as a “sorority girl,” and I still don’t. Being a part of an organization focused on sisterhood, giving back and empowerment has been something that has largely impacted me for the rest of my life, and I am so thankful for the women that have helped make me who I am today and prepare me for the real world.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: One of my successes was achieving the “Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Student of the Year award,” in spring of 2024. I have always worked hard in school and this was really validating to receive to know that my hard work is noticed.
What’s next for you: I am going to pursue Recreation Management in hopes to make my community a better place and for everyone to feel like they belong and have a purpose. I deeply value my community and want to create a space for those around me to enjoy and forget about the negatives, even if its just for a little.
Advice for future or current Bears: Take risks. I would have missed out on so much if I would have fed into stereotypes. Try everything that you can in college to truly figure out what you do and don’t like.
Holly Hyman
Hometown: Westminster, Colorado
Area of study: Elementary Education Teaching Licensure with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Endorsement
Reflection on your time at UNC: I have absolutely loved my experience at UNC! I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and I have made friendships that will continue far beyond college. I also have been able to learn so much from the amazing teaching classes and professors here.
They have all helped me to grow as a teacher and I have found my passion for teaching and helping students in the CLD and multilingual community. I hope to come back to UNC for my master’s and further my teaching education here. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had here, people I have met and memories I have made. These last three and half years have gone so fast, and I am so glad that I found my home here as a Bear.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: During my time here at UNC, I have overcome several challenges and obstacles, both personally and professionally. I struggled with doing so many things and getting everything done. I struggled with reminding myself that not everything has to be perfect. Thankfully I have a great support system in my family and friends, and they reminded me to stay positive, keep pushing and that “rest is a right, not a reward” and that taking time for yourself is just as important as any assignment.
What’s next for you: After graduation, I am going to continue teaching fourth grade at Maplewood Elementary School in Greeley. I was lucky enough to be given a position and start teaching during my student teaching experience and so I will continue teaching the amazing kids there. I am so excited to learn from the young minds of the next generation and to continue becoming a better teacher.
Advice for future or current Bears: My advice would be to soak in every moment and to really be grateful for what you have while you have it. College really does go fast, and even though the days and the weeks may seem long and hard, anything is possible, and you will be grateful for the hard times because they make you stronger. The three things that I say to my fourth graders every day that I think are good reminders for everybody are:
1). “You got this!”
2). I believe in you and I am proud of you
3). Always lead with kindness
Julia Martin
Hometown: Castle Rock, Colorado
Area of Study: Political Science, certificate in Human Resources
Reflection on your time at UNC: I initially chose UNC because I started as an American Sign Language (ASL) major. There is a large list of people who supported me and helped me be successful. My family and friends are, of course, a large source of support, but there are many faculty members who encouraged me throughout my time.
Brook Blair, Ph.D., has been my main mentor throughout my time at UNC; he is actually the reason I changed majors. His Fundamentals of Politics class created a love of political science in me that caused me to change my major. He also assigned me new opportunities, such as leading the Political Science and International Affairs club and competing in the Rocky Mountain Model Arab League. Additionally, he encouraged me to run for a senate spot in Student Government. Most importantly, Dr. Blair has been someone I could go to for guidance when I was going through something more personal, and for that, I will always thank him. Cedar Welker, Ph.D., was always a source of encouragement when I was feeling iffy about doing something. Jeff Brown, Ph.D., has helped me apply to law school and was a constant source of reassurance that I am someone who can go to law school. Lastly, Chris Cobb was in charge of my internship on the Bears Vote Coalition and has offered so much guidance and allowed my ideas to be explored no matter how outlandish they may have appeared. I cannot explain my success at UNC without thanking these people.
What’s next for you: After graduation, I plan on attending law school to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. I just applied, so I do not have any updates on where yet, but I am crossing my fingers.
Advice for future or current Bears: Say yes and get involved on campus, you will have so much fun, meet the best of friends and feel truly a part of this great community.
Yasmeen Mustafa
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Area of Study: Nursing, BSN
Reflection on your time at UNC: Coming to UNC was a spur-of-the-moment decision that turned out to be the best choice of my life. After attending community college in North Carolina with plans to earn an Associate’s in Nursing, my boyfriend and I realized we wanted more.
On a whim, we decided to leave the comfort of home and carve out a new path together. In a playful moment of spontaneity, we played a quick game of 3-2-1: name the state you want to move to. Colorado won, and with that, the journey began.
When it came time to decide where I would finish my degree, UNC’s nursing program stood out to me. As UNC is known as the best nursing school in the state, I knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be. The catch? I wouldn’t know if I had secured a spot in the program until after I moved to Greeley. It was a leap of faith, and while it was exhilarating, it was also terrifying.
Through every moment of self-doubt, every restless night questioning if I’d made the right choice, my mother and boyfriend were my unwavering cheerleaders. My boyfriend, who shared in this bold adventure, stood beside me through the highs and lows, always believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. My mother, a constant source of strength, reminded me of the resilience I had inherited from her. Their encouragement grounded me and became the fuel I needed to push forward.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: One of the most significant challenges I faced at UNC—and as a college student in general—was grappling with a deep-seated question: Am I good enough? My path to higher education was far from traditional. As the daughter of an immigrant Palestinian mother who worked tirelessly, often missing milestones just to keep food on the table, I grew up in the shadow of survival. Her sacrifices inspired me, but they also left me with the weight of expectation and self-doubt. At 25, I’m set to graduate a few years later than many of my peers. The journey here has been anything but linear. I spent years working as a line cook, contributing to my family’s support while wrestling with the uncertainties of university life. Being one of the first in my family to attend college came with its own challenges, as I navigated an unfamiliar world without a clear roadmap. Yet, despite the delays and obstacles, I refused to settle. I took a leap of faith—traveling across the country, balancing full-time work with a demanding academic load, and embracing every opportunity to grow and redefine what I thought was possible.
This transformation—from a fragile sense of self to someone who seizes every opportunity and challenges the status quo—did not happen overnight. It was forged through setbacks, each one a lesson that reshaped my mindset. I came to realize that our experiences do not define our destiny; instead, they provide us with the raw materials to shape our own stories. For me, it was the exhaustion of successive lows that finally pushed me to confront the very things I had been avoiding and to seek clarity in my life.
At UNC, I embraced every opportunity to grow and serve. I became a supplemental instructor for biochemistry, a role that allowed me to support others who, like me, may have once doubted their place in academia. I joined the McNair Scholar’s Program and the Honors Program, working on research that I have now presented at national conferences and here at UNC.
UNC became the backdrop for a story I didn’t know I was capable of writing, one that speaks to the strength found in vulnerability and the limitless potential that arises when we refuse to let our past dictate our future.
What’s next for you: I will be working as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse. The never-ending cycle of learning within the field of nursing excites me and I can’t wait to expand my knowledge and skills. Looking ahead to the next couple of years, I do plan to expand my practice and pursue a doctorate in nursing.
Advice for future or current Bears: Don’t sit back and wait for opportunities to find you—chase them, create them and carve your own path. When the road ahead feels daunting, summon your courage and take that leap. It’s in these moments of challenge and uncertainty that you’ll discover your greatest growth, transforming trials into triumphs and dreams into reality.
Joeann Rangel-Borrego
Hometown: Romeo, Colorado
Area of Study: M.A. in Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education
Reflection on your time at UNC: I chose UNC after reviewing several graduate programs at different universities. The UNC remote master’s program best fit my needs as a full time professional and parent.
My advisor made my experience more positive as she was available and willing to support in any way.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: The biggest challenge was ineffective communication with one or two of my professors.
What’s next for you: I will continue to advocate for English Language Learners at my current school as the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education program coordinator.
Advice for future or current Bears: Utilize the resources UNC has in place for students. The writing lab was very helpful in developing professional essays and written assignments.
Brandy Smith-Lowe
Hometown: Cooperstown, North Dakota
Area of Study: M.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources
Reflection on your time at UNC: UNC is my alma mater, where I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, concentrating in Secondary Education.
During my time on campus, I was a thrower on the track and field team from 1993 to 1998, and I thoroughly enjoyed both my athletic and academic experiences. I had always aspired to pursue a Master’s degree, but life’s demands postponed that goal. However, when my son, Dominic Lopezi, began considering colleges with UNC at the top of his list, our conversations sparked a renewed motivation in me. Inspired by his journey, I decided to enroll in the MBA program at the same time he started his freshman year. Two years later, I completed my degree in August, just as he embarked on his junior year.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: As a non-traditional student accustomed to in-person classes, I initially felt apprehensive about taking online courses. However, once I familiarized myself with the systems, format and expectations, I quickly adapted and found a rhythm that allowed me to manage my pace effectively.
What’s next for you: Currently, I serve as the senior manager of Electrification Software Learning and Development Delivery and Operations at GE Vernova. I aim to continue advancing in my career, applying the knowledge gained from my courses to drive further professional growth and opportunities.
Advice for future or current Bears: Learning is a lifelong journey that should never stop. No matter your age, view learning as a gift and invest in yourself. You’ll be amazed by the inspiration and fulfillment that come from your achievements.
Dana Velazquez
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Area of study: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Reflection on your time at UNC: I chose UNC because it gave me the flexibility I needed to continue working full time and be a full-time student. Through the Extended Campus program, I was able to manage working and studying with less stress and be able to accomplish all my tasks.
Also many thanks to the support of my partner Isaiah who was wonderful during my busy schedule and also helping me when I needed it.
Overcoming challenges and achieving success: You know, it is super challenging being a full-time student and a full-time employee. It was tough juggling both, but it’s absolutely possible. I also unfortunately went through a tough family member loss and that also made it challenging to finish the final semesters of school, but I thank the tremendous amount of support from UNC and my colleagues. I learned I can accomplish anything.
What’s next for you: My hope after graduation is to continue working at the crisis center I did my internship in. I also hope to get married and start a family.
Advice for future or current Bears: My advice is to take chances and just see what works for you. There are so many opportunities that will be presented and there is nothing like taking those chances now while you’re still a student; and you never know, you may discover something new about yourself.
