When I reflect on what experiences shaped my time at the University of Denver, becoming a Puksta Scholar stands at the center. I came to DU passionate about servicing my community and supporting young people, but I was unsure how those interests could become something material. For me, Puksta became the doorway that turned theory into action.

Through Puksta, I was introduced to the Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship and Learning (CCESL), a space on campus that brings students from all backgrounds together who want to learn with, from, and alongside their own communities. I didn’t realize at the time how much that introduction would shift my academic path.

Through CCESL, I joined the Changemaker Internship, where I was placed with Girl Scouts of Colorado. I did not expect my internship to blend youth empowerment and hands-on creativity, but that is exactly what I found. I restructured their makerspaces and built STEM-focused activities to help young girls foster confidence and develop essential skills in STEM spaces.

These experiences have not just enriched my time at DU; they helped me discover the kind of work I’d like to do in the future and the kind of person I would like to be. I now see myself pursuing a career grounded in justice and community partnership by earning a degree in criminology with a focus on juvenile delinquency.

For prospective students wondering how to find their place at DU—look toward the many communities on campus that not only support you but challenge you in meaningful ways. For me, that community has been CCESL and the many opportunities it offers.

Written By: Bryanna Rodriguez-Ramirez