Winter Commencement 2024 Feature
Colorado Mesa University’s Winter 2024 Commencement was not only a celebration of the 813 graduates who received 940 degrees but was also a powerful reminder how the university’s core values are embodied in the students it serves. Two graduates, Sonia Gutierrez and Mathias Mulumba, embodied these values in their heartfelt speeches as this years’ featured graduates, sharing their remarkable journeys that led them to this momentous day.
Sonia Gutierrez: A Journey of Resilience
Sonia Gutierrez stood at the podium, her voice steady but filled with emotion as she began to recount her journey. As the first in her family to attend college, she knew her story was not just her own, but also her family’s, her community’s and everyone who dared to dream.
Sonia’s journey to graduation wasn’t a traditional one, but it was her own. A first-generation student, Sonia grew up without a clear roadmap to higher education. The challenges she faced—balancing work, family, and the pursuit of a degree—are familiar to many CMU students.
Sonia paused her education several times along the way to take care of her family and, like many non-traditional students, her path wasn’t a straight line. But she never lost sight of her goal. “I faced some tough moments,” Sonia shared in her speech. “There were times I didn’t know if I’d make it here today.”
During her years at CMU, Sonia dealt with personal hardships that could have easily derailed her plans, including serious health concerns and the loss of a loved one. But each challenge was met with a fierce determination to continue, a trait that CMU celebrates and fosters. CMU’s student body is made up of individuals from all walks of life, nearly half of whom are the first in their families to go to college, and many of whom must juggle work, caregiving and studies. In Sonia’s case, the support she received from faculty and peers played a vital role in helping her move forward.
While Sonia didn’t have the traditional college experience—no late-night study sessions in dorms or joining student clubs—her experience at CMU was still filled with community. Her classmates, a mix of traditional and non-traditional aged students, formed a tight-knit group, lifting each other up as they navigated the balance of school, work and life. And the professors who guided her along the way were more than just educators; they became mentors and champions of her success.
As she stood on the stage, surrounded by hundreds of fellow graduates, Sonia embodied the values that CMU holds dear—courage, resilience and the pursuit of knowledge. In her speech, she humbly noted that her journey wasn’t just about her own willpower, but also the encouragement she received along the way from classmates, her family and friends who helped her through some very challenging times.
“This moment is not mine alone. This moment also belongs to my mom and dad. Because MY resilience is a result of THEIR sacrifice,” Sonia said in her address.
Sonia’s story is a testament to the opportunities that CMU provides for students who may not have had a clear path to college, but who nonetheless dream of earning their degree. It’s a reminder that, whether you’re fresh out of high school or returning to finish a degree after many years away, CMU offers a place where you can succeed.
For Sonia, the journey to that diploma may have been long and winding, but it was worth every struggle. She now holds a degree that represents not just academic achievement, but a personal victory—a triumph over adversity. As CMU continues to support students like Sonia, it reaffirms its mission of providing access to education for all and creating a space where every Maverick can thrive, regardless of where they started.