Olivia Omega Is Unlocking Doors for All Students

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Olivia Omega Is Unlocking Doors for All Students Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/04/2024 - 00:00

Kiara Demare

As senior director of marketing and communications at the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF), Olivia Omega (Bus’01) is an inclusion and diversity advocate within higher education. Omega is a TedX speaker and author of Beautifully Branded: The Girl’s Guide to Understanding the Anatomy of Brand You. During Homecoming Weekend in November 2023, the CU Boulder Alumni Association recognized her with the Alumni Recognition Award.

What does being a part of DSF mean to you?

I was raised by a single mom, and in high school I didn’t know if I could even attend college, simply because of the financial commitment. If it weren’t for the scholarships I received through CU, I wouldn’t have been able to attend. I want others to have that same opportunity to step into whatever their purpose is.

Why is representation in spaces like higher education so important?

As human beings we gravitate toward what is familiar, and we see ourselves in other people. Even thinking back to when President Obama was first elected, my daughter was three years old at the time and commented, “Look at that family. They look like us.” We know that visualizing and manifesting is powerful, so when you see people who look like you achieving something great, you can start to look and emulate that.

Race-conscious affirmative action ended last year. How does this affect DSF?

DSF scholarships are more important now than ever. We’re helping mostly first-generation students of color whose parents didn’t go to college navigate the application process, the financial aid process, making sure that school is affordable and also making sure that they get to college and graduate as well.

What is it like returning as a President’s Leadership Class (PLC) mentor?

I get to meet with students often, and I have quite a few mentees who I work with. I can honestly attribute every opportunity in my life to either CU or I can track it back to PLC. It is also about making sure that there is representation and that young women and students of color see themselves at CU and that they see themselves as thriving alumni.

How have you seen CU Boulder change since you were a student?

I have hopes for some really great things coming out of CU. At Leeds, for the first time ever, it’s 55% women. When I was there, I want to say it was maybe half that. If we can get to a place where the systemic barriers to education are dismantled, and there is more access, more funding, tuition isn’t skyrocketing every year — if those things are eliminated, then there’s no need for DSF. Wouldn’t that be the greatest thing — where things have changed so much that the work we do to increase equity isn’t even needed?

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Photo courtesy Olivia Omega

As senior director of marketing and communications at the Denver Scholarship Foundation, Olivia Omega is an inclusion and diversity advocate within higher education.

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Spring 2024

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Janine Davidson: Bringing Leadership Lessons from the Pentagon to Colorado

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Janine Davidson: Bringing Leadership Lessons from the Pentagon to Colorado Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/04/2024 - 00:00

Jessica Sachs

Janine Davidson (ArchEngr’88) is president of Metropolitan State University of Denver. Prior, Davidson was appointed by former President Barack Obama as the 32nd undersecretary of the U.S. Navy. Davidson also served as an Air Force officer and was the first woman to fly the C-130 aircraft. During the 2023 Homecoming Weekend, CU Boulder awarded her the George Norlin Award for her contributions in her career and community.

How have the lessons you’ve learned prepared you to lead a university?

At CU, I was an engineering student, Air Force ROTC cadet and a member of Greek life, which exposed me to unique people groups and leadership styles. Leading MSU Denver during the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself tapping into my military flight training, where I learned how to stay calm in an emergency and take decisive action. I find leading a university is not unlike being a leader in the Pentagon, which built my patience for working within a large bureaucracy and an appreciation for the importance of structure and process for inclusive decision-making.

Are there any CU leadership moments that have inspired your decision-making at MSU Denver?

When [past CU president] Gordon Gee came to CU Boulder and decided to live in the dorms, it reinforced his focus on students. I’ve said my three priorities at MSU Denver are “students, students and students,” and President Gee showed me the power of always keeping students in mind.

How do you push students to become trailblazers?

More than half of MSU Denver’s fall 2023 class are first-generation college graduates. They already know it takes grit and perseverance to be a trailblazer. We encourage students to study what they love by giving them resources and connections. If you are passionate about something, you’re more likely to be good at it. And if you’re good at something, there will be room at the top!

What MSU Denver initiatives have you been the most proud of?

The Classroom to Career Hub ensures students leave college prepared for successful careers and has doubled the number of employers actively recruiting our students. We also implemented our Interdisciplinary Health Institute, which will prepare our students for a variety of healthcare careers while growing and diversifying Colorado’s struggling healthcare workforce.

What are your goals for the future of higher education throughout Colorado?

My biggest long-term goal is truly closing the equity gap for students. Many students are choosing to go to college out of state for financial purposes. We need to get more students ready for the future job market while keeping Coloradans in Colorado.