BRAVO! Awards

Monica Luckie (Administrative Coordinator and Advisor for TRIO Upward Bound)

“Monica has worked tirelessly to ensure the high school students we serve in our department feel heard and belong on campus. Monica has worked with dozens of students, ensuring 80% of TRIO grads attend a post-secondary institution by supporting their development and unlocking what career they are best suited for in targeted advising sessions. Monica has exemplified what it means to be an MSU alum, first-generation student, advocate, and employee.”

- Adrian Ramirez Jr

Lori Marie Huertas (Assistant Director of Industry Partnerships)

“Lori’s efforts have driven inclusive engagement and created meaningful pathways for students to thrive academically and professionally. She spearheaded student participation in the HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) conference, offering unique networking opportunities and advocacy platforms to elevate diverse student voices. Lori Marie led the creation of MSU Denver’s first SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) chapter, expanding opportunities for Hispanic students in STEM fields and connecting them with industry mentors.”

- Janelle Johnson

Cassie Mullin (Experiential Learning Program Manager)

“I’m nominating Cassie Mullin for her unwavering leadership and dedication to enhancing the student experience through experiential learning. Cassie has played a pivotal role in systematizing processes that streamline efforts for both faculty and students, making engagement more accessible and impactful. Her contributions have not only improved operational efficiency but have also created a more enriching and supportive environment for students. In addition to these efforts, Cassie co-leads a key initiative in the Student Success Launch, where she consistently demonstrates exceptional preparedness, responsiveness, and openness to feedback.”

- Adrienne Martinez

Victor Mata (Student Success Specialist, Immigrant Services Program)

“Victor has taken an outstanding lead in managing the Western Union Scholarship. He has been innovative in delivering program information to students, has been conscious of building better data-tracking practices with attributes, and has created high-quality student learning programs. C2Hub Scholarship Support is grateful to have him as a partner and leader in this work.”

Nominated by Lauren Koppel

Tori Pacheco (Interim Associate Director Office of Financial Aid and Student Services)

“Tori Pacheco has exemplified leadership, dedication, and teamwork during a time of transition in the Office of Financial Aid’s Student Services team. As an MSU Denver alum and Interim Associate Director, she has seamlessly navigated staffing challenges and federal updates to FAFSA, taking on extra duties and training with a positive attitude. Tori has built a foundation of teamwork, cared for her colleagues, and prioritized student needs with responsiveness and readiness. Her initiative and unwavering commitment to the team and students embody MSU Denver’s CADRE values, making her a promising leader and a deserving BRAVO! Award nominee.”

Nominated by Don Holtzen, Kelly Findley, Whitney Simkins

Sarah Goldenberg (Graduate School Pathways Coordinator)

“Sarah has been a driving force behind the successful launch of the Major Milestones initiative, bringing her exceptional WordPress skills, technical writing expertise, and unwavering commitment to centering the student experience. She has developed valuable resources for colleagues to streamline the process and keep it aligned, all while reminding the team of the profound impact this work will have on our students. Her leadership, creativity, and dedication to building a supportive student experience at MSU Denver are deeply appreciated. Huge kudos to Sarah for her impressive and thoughtful contributions!”

Nominated by Alyssa Marks and Derek Bowers

Ryan Smith (Scholarship Advisor, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships)

“Ryan is an outstanding team member who consistently goes above and beyond to support students and staff. As a recently graduated Roadrunner, he brings a crucial student perspective to our processes and fosters goodwill by providing clear, concise answers in the MSU Denver Student Facebook group on his own time. His dedication is matched by his achievements, including earning his Financial Aid Administrator Certification—one of only two in our office—and continually expanding his knowledge to improve our systems. Ryan’s enthusiasm for learning, friendly demeanor, and proactive support make him an invaluable resource and a true BRAVO! Award winner. Thank you, Ryan, for all that you do!”

Nominated by Jacob L Beaudrie and Kelly Findley

Richard Miccio (Associate Director of Well-being, Inclusion, and Behavioral Intervention)

“Richard Miccio has dedicated six years to MSU Denver, making an incredible impact as a kind, compassionate, and well-spoken advocate for students. As one of the few BIPOC male social workers, he leads with purpose, championing initiatives around collegiate recovery, mental health, fitness, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as crisis intervention and training. Richard has been instrumental in aligning student wellness efforts with engagement strategies and advancing Rowdy’s Corner as it transitioned to the Health & Well-being team, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of campus food security. Through thoughtful conversation and unwavering support, Richard inspires everyone around him and exemplifies what it means to be a powerful student advocate.”

Nominated by Magi Driscoll and Taylor Tackett

Nahum Kisner (Assistant Vice President of Student Success)

“Nahum Kisner has been the backbone of our Student Success Team, stepping up to support Veterans Services as an interim supervisor while continuing to lead cross-functional teams with skill and dedication. He builds community and fosters collaboration among students and staff, exemplifying what it means to be a caring and authentic leader. Nahum’s willingness to go above and beyond, combined with his supportive leadership style, has made a significant impact. His dedication and ability to step in wherever needed truly make him deserving of this recognition.”

Nominated by Chris Garcia and Taylor Tackett

Jon Nguyen (Assistant Director of Admissions Systems and Data)

“I proudly nominate Jon Nguyen for his outstanding contributions to our student enrollment efforts. Serving in two demanding roles, Jon remains a rock star, expertly managing all tuition classification inquiries while stepping in to support the admissions front desk as needed. His development of the Yield IQ model in Slate has revolutionized how we prioritize high-potential students, driving enrollment success. Jon also created a tuition classification survey that equips front desk and call center staff to better meet student needs. A consummate team player with innovation, leadership, and a collaborative spirit, Jon’s impact resonates throughout our enrollment process, and we are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Nominated by Marlynn Rocha-Vasquez and Vaughn Tolland

Ione Priest (Associate Director of Accessibility, Technology, and Testing)

“Ione has been excellent at leading parts of the digital accessibility task force this year. I am incredibly thankful for Ione’s passion for accessible experiences with our students and look forward to how she will change campus-wide programming with her work around access.”

Nominated by Taylor Tackett

Heaven Leigh Irwin (Assistant to the Registrar of Operations)

“Heaven has been a phenomenal leader in the Registrar’s Office, expertly navigating challenges like critical vacancies while maintaining seamless student services. She oversees office operations, student employees, email, and the front desk with unwavering dedication, ensuring students are always supported. Heaven has also built institutional knowledge and strengthened compliance with FERPA, balancing firm guidance with a collaborative approach, particularly in partnership with Scholarship Support on complex federal requirements. Her commitment and leadership are invaluable, and the Registrar’s Office—and the university—are stronger because of her.”

Nominated by Lauren Koppel and Connie Sanders

Deserie Ontiveros (Processing Manager)

“Deserie Ontiveros has been a dedicated and impactful leader in the admissions process for 25 years, bringing energy, harmony, and expertise to the Admissions Processing team. Her meticulous documentation of evolving business processes and commitment to timelines ensure smooth operations and confidence in our work. During a major CRM transition, Des led with skill and clarity, keeping the team on track and advocating for key improvements. Her ability to lead through change, boost morale, and bring a sense of fun to the team has been invaluable. Des is a true asset, and her contributions continue to shape our success.”

Nominated by Marlynn Rocha and Vaughn Toland

Connie Sanders (Executive Director Registrar)

“Connie is an incredible leader and an awesome supervisor who has made a significant impact on her team’s growth and success. Despite tripling the number of staff she directly supervises due to vacant positions, she has maintained open and honest communication, ensured smooth operations, and supported her team with unwavering dedication. Connie has also been instrumental in leading the Participation Policy Implementation team and functions, showcasing her ability to manage complex initiatives with grace. A great leader and a kind, approachable colleague, Connie’s contributions are invaluable, and MSU Denver is truly lucky to have her. We don’t know what we’d do without her!”

Nominated by Fitsum Handiso, Heaven Irwin, Mohamed Abdin

Dr. Bridgette Coble (Director of Career Engagement)

“Bridgette has been a beacon of leadership and innovation for the C2Hub Student Success team, making significant contributions to the Student Affairs Strategic Plan with a focus on achieving 100% career engagement for students. Despite challenges like retirements and staff departures within the Career Engagement team, Bridgette has continued to develop impactful programming, including the Career Carnival and weekly Career Lab. Her measured, data-driven, and process-oriented approach has established a systemic infrastructure to support this ambitious goal, while her dedication and creativity have significantly boosted team morale. Bridgette’s efforts have laid the foundation for achieving this audacious vision and inspired those around her to rise to the challenge.”

Nominated by Lauren Kopple and Matthew Kring

Counseling Center

(Randal Boldt, Jeanne M Burkhart, Michael Malmon, Andrew Sia, Lisa Boyum, Kathy Kavanaugh, Raymond Gornell, Vicky Tuakoi, and Patricia Gonzalez)

“The Counseling Center with the leadership from their Executive Director are making changes to become the best workplace for not only student affairs practitioners but also mental health professionals. The Well-being of our Counseling Center staff comes from excellent supervision, career progression, and balance. The professional staff that work in the Counseling Center are extremely passionate about meeting the diverse needs of our students and highly invested in the holistic support of our students.”

Nominated by Steve Zeeh