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Ace Hawk, Genders and Sexualities Alliance
Anastaja Braden, Black Student Alliance
Font Marti, International Student Alliance
Genavee Gonzales, Latino Student Alliance
Skyler Hester, Genders and Sexualities Alliance
Soyun Jeon, International Student Alliance
Valentine Jeptoo, International Student Alliance
Sadie Kelley, Native American Student Association
Destiny Mares
Native American Student Association
Nayeli Hernandez, Latino Student Alliance
Elijah Reynolds, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Taylor Rubalcaba, Genders and Sexualities Alliance
Bena Taylor
Serena Hughes, Black Student Alliance
Dulce Murillo, Latino Student Alliance
Skylar Nugent, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Bernice Rosales, Latino Student Alliance
Yulisa Velazquez, Latino Student Alliance
Edward Hill, Native American Student Association
Kyle McClellan, Army Veteran
Jacey Tsosie, Native American Student Association
Morgan Veek, International Student Alliance
Aaron Reed, Black Student Alliance
Voices Seen: Portraits of Diversity on Campus (Displayed on Floor 2)
Tomlinson Library is excited to be awarded funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 from the American Library Association.
Dr. Mickey Stellavato, from the Mass Communications Department, worked with her photojournalism class to create portraits of diversity on campus in support of the ALA NEH grant. The students created a beautiful exhibit titled, Voices Seen.
15 of the portraits from the Voices Seen exhibit will be displayed on the 2nd floor of the library near classroom 212. All of the portraits of the students can be viewed below.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
I am a Mass Communications major from Denver, Colorado. I came to Colorado Mesa University in 2017 following my dreams of playing college football. I played for the varsity team from 2017-2019. During that time, I was also involved on campus with the Association Student Government. I served as the Minority Senator where I contributed to the name change of the Cultural Diversity Board to the Cultural Inclusion Council. Following the Spring Semester of 2018, I decided to apply for an executive position for the Cultural Inclusion Council. After my year of serving as the Communications Director, I then applied for the Director position. After I managed to achieve the Director of the Cultural Inclusion Council position, I wanted to make his way back to where it all started, the Associated Student Government, but this time, I wanted to serve a larger role and purpose, Student Trustee. I campaigned during the spring semester of the year 2020. It was announced at the end of April that I had won the election. I have enjoyed my 5 years at Colorado Mesa University. This institution certainly shaped the person I am today. As graduation approaches, I cannot wait to see what happens next.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Shay and I am an aseuxal, gender queer person. I am creative and will try to find and make art in any way I can. I am someone who likes to look at the world through multiple eyes and see different perspectives and finds beauty in the little things in life.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Anastaja Nalashay Braden. I am an African American Filipina first generation student, studying social work at CMU. In the future I hope to use my degree towards case work for teens. I have a passion for serving underrepresented communities. Often, social workers don't reflect the communities that they are serving which creates disparities in the services marginalized groups receive. I hope to become the representation that the social work field needs while inspiring other people of color to do the same.
In 1995, I was in the process of becoming the United States Ambassador to Panama when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. In spite of that, I'm accomplishing my goals and building a financially independent life for myself so that I can be an example of someone who gets off disability and live the life I want to live. I have many examples of how I've gotten through all the obstacles that have come up on my journey. My house burned down. One of my sisters committed suicide. I've lost two of my children. I lost over 2 million dollars and was left to live on my disability income of $842 per month. After working long and hard to maintain a GPA that granted me assistance with Vocational Rehab, the program was discontinued because Vocational Rehab deemed me "unteachable," when really, I just wasn't getting the assistance I needed. But I didn't quit. With the help of Colorado Disability Law, I'm now back in school, and continuing my journey of becoming a sign language interpreter. It's my heart's desire to show other people how a successful me is spelled "WE." What I want people to know is that I have gotten through these things with assistance. I would like to be an example of tenacity and someone people can come to for help with what they need to keep going.
Lower-middle class. Curvy. Latina. Loud. These are the common barriers that society has brought upon me and labels them as my weaknesses but I proudly hold those to be my strengths. Lower-middle class = I am a hard-working individual and this can be proved by taking 22 credits this semester while obtaining 3 different jobs. Curvy = confident in who I am and what I look like, I still think my best curve is my smile;). Latina = proud to bear this title for life because it is in honor of my ancestors, I would not be who I am without being from a Latin household because I come from a family of 10, I am the 6th child out of 8, and the first one to come to a university...I am proud to be paving the way for my younger siblings and mentees. Loud = I would not have it any other way, I know that what I have to say is important and I have taken my time to educate myself in all aspects of life so my words have meaning and power, From my loudness, I have been able to become the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, who are afraid of the repercussions that may come from speaking up. I am a social butterfly, I yearn for the possibility of reaching beyond the superficial layer that humans tend to hold because I believe that each person you encounter has a beautiful story to tell, just take the time to listen to it. This leads me to my passion, defending those who cannot defend themselves by learning who they are and what they represent; I will achieve this by becoming a civil rights and immigration lawyer to help mi gente, my people, and those who can easily become mi gente as well. feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @rosales._.b ... xoxo, b <3.
I am a junior year Mechanical Engineering Technology major. I am a mom to three beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful husband. I value knowledge, integrity, grit, and kindness. I have a curious and adventurous spirit and I hope to inspire my children and others to pursue their wildest dreams.
Majoring in business finance, and I come from the Pauma band of Luiseño Indians. I am a junior here at Colorado Mesa University. My hobbies are contributing to my tribe and helping the younger generation go to college via through the help of the 7G foundation. I also like to work out and play football.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Elijah Reynolds. I think the word lazy can define me pretty well. I like to try and find simple ways to get things done so that redundant steps can be removed. I try to go by the old saying work smarter not harder. When I come upon a system or process that I think could be improved in a professional setting I will try and work with others to do so. I served four years in the Marine Corps as a heavy equipment mechanic and was released from active duty as a Cpl and later picked up Sgt in the IRR. Now I am a senior using my post 9/11 GI Bill to work towards a bachelor’s in computer information systems.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Samjhana, I was born in Nepal and got adopted in Spain when I was 5. I am studying Social Work since I believe in improvement and change of the society. I am a traveler soul, resilient and lover of life. I want to become my best version.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Genavee Lanee Gonzales, and I am a first-generation student, studying to receive my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I was raised in Commerce City Colorado and both of my parents were born in Colorado as well. My roots are from Mexico, which I say with tremendous pride. Specifically, my roots are from Puebla, Mexico on my mother’s side and Coahuila, Mexico on my father’s side. I was raised by my grandmother, who taught me to stand strong in the face of adversity. I am the oldest of 5 siblings, which has gifted me with the motivation to become a trailblazer for my siblings and my family as a whole. Being a first-generation, Latina student with family members who view me as a role model has given me the courage to be an advocate for myself and for others in all settings as I believe we all deserve the right to be true to ourselves and the opportunity to follow our dreams.
Hello, I am Jacey Tsosie, I am Navajo and grew up on the Navajo Reservation until moving away for college. I am a junior here at Colorado Mesa University studying Business Analytics and Computer Information Systems
Edward Onoo Po Hill (center)
Majoring in business finance, and I come from the Pauma band of Luiseño Indians. I am a junior here at Colorado Mesa University. My hobbies are contributing to my tribe and helping the younger generation go to college via through the help of the 7G foundation. I also like to work out and play football.
Jacey Tsosie (right)
Hello, I am Jacey Tsosie, I am Navajo and grew up on the Navajo Reservation until moving away for college. I am a junior here at Colorado Mesa University studying Business Analytics and Computer Information Systems.
Shekoli swakwek Yewelahawi Niyukyats (left)
Hello everyone, my name is Yewelahawi, my English name is Sadie Kelley. I am turtle clan and from the On^yote'k^ (Oneida), people of the standing stone.
I come from the Oneida, Creek, Kiowa, Comanche and Shoshone Paiute people. I was born and raised on the Oneida Nation Reservation in Oneida, Wisconsin. I am a sophomore at Colorado Mesa University and am studying Political Science and Sports Management. I am also on the women's golf team. Since I was little, I knew I wanted to help my community and Indian Country and that is why I am studying Political Science so I can go into law school after Colorado Mesa University. Growing up, family and my native community was a big part of my life and I want to be an attorney to help Oneida expand our sovereignty and to work for legislation that will support Indian Country and our community needs. Navigating through the academic world and my own traditional life is demanding, but having the resilience, strength and support from my community motivates me to keep on going and get my degree so I can contribute to and help the next seven generations.
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Nayeli Hernández and I’m a first-generation student and daughter of Mexican immigrants. My culture and roots are something that I have always been proud of. As a student leader at CMU I have been able to represent and root for Latinos in higher education during my college career.
Shekoli swakwek Yewelahawi Niyukyats
Hello everyone, my name is Yewelahawi, my English name is Sadie Kelley. I am turtle clan and from the On^yote'k^ (Oneida), people of the standing stone.
I come from the Oneida, Creek, Kiowa, Comanche and Shoshone Paiute people. I was born and raised on the Oneida Nation Reservation in Oneida, Wisconsin. I am a sophomore at Colorado Mesa University and am studying Political Science and Sports Management. I am also on the women's golf team. Since I was little, I knew I wanted to help my community and Indian Country and that is why I am studying Political Science so I can go into law school after Colorado Mesa University. Growing up, family and my native community was a big part of my life and I want to be an attorney to help Oneida expand our sovereignty and to work for legislation that will support Indian Country and our community needs. Navigating through the academic world and my own traditional life is demanding, but having the resilience, strength and support from my community motivates me to keep on going and get my degree so I can contribute to and help the next seven generations.
My name is Serena Hughes and I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. I would describe myself as a person, and whatever that may entail. I make mistakes, try to fix them, and then make new ones. I take pride in figuring out who I am, what I enjoy, and the things I dislike. I think it’s kind of funny that this may change quickly and pretty often, but this is the fun part of life. I used to be the person that worried too much about the things that did not matter. Now, I am the person who ensures that I do my best to live my life to the fullest, and this differs with each day. My advice to whomever is reading this is to find what is important to you each day and focus on that. Take everything day by day and try to enjoy the small victories in each one!
This portrait is displayed in the library.
Hey I’m Skyler, I am a queer jew from a small Colorado town. I am a psychology major who wants to help people struggling with addiction get the help that they need to get and they stay sober. I am an animal lover, queer rights advocate, and lover of music. I want the world to see that being queer isn’t a personality type and just another part of the weird messed up human that is me
This portrait is displayed in the library.
I am an exchange student from South Korea. Interested in various things, I came here to experience new culture that is different from Korea. I like to meet people and sometimes enjoy deep conversations. I want to experience such a variety of things and listen to people's thoughts so that I become mature enough to contribute to a society. Of course, my current life in CMU will also be a valuable and memorable experience for me:)
This portrait is displayed in the library.
My name is Taylor, I am the coordinator of the Genders and Sexualities Alliance. I have been at Colorado Mesa University for four years and I have been supporting students the entire time. I have worked with students across campus to make sure that they are staying safe and making sure that they know that there is always a person there for them whenever needed. I believe that students are here at Colorado Mesa University to grow and become their own individuals and I believe that I was placed here to help those students succeed in their own paths. I know that I am not perfect but I believe that I still am here to grow and that is one thing that helps me know and grow into the person that I want to be.
This portrait is displayed in the library.