Angela Carrillo
Colorado Mountain College
Student Support Services
Nominated by Kearstin Cameron
Angela exemplifies the qualities I wish every student possessed. She is a leader in her classes and among peers; balancing 18 credits, working 15-20 hours a week, volunteering, and dancing with Ballet Folklorico. I know of few students who are able to manage their time and still earn above a 3.5 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. One of her biggest obstacles was arriving in the U.S. six years ago not knowing English. She embraced the challenge and is now bilingual and bicultural. She serves as a role model for other students who find themselves in similar circumstances and is a mentor to other first-generation Latina students. In addition to Angela’s strong work ethic and commitment to her education, she is funny, witty, and personable. Her smile and energy light up a room and I know she will do great things. I look forward to hearing of them as she transfers on to either DePaul or U-Chicago to study International Business. She is graduating with her Associate of Arts degree in Business in August 2012. A current business professor states, “Of all my students in my business class, I could see her stepping right into a corporate office and doing well.”
Shawanna Kimbrough
Colorado State University
Student Support Services
Nominated by Andrea Reeve
Shawanna Kimbrough is a summer 2000 graduate from Colorado State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication with a certificate in African American Studies. Working as an advisor/counselor for the Academic Advancement Center (Student Support Services) for three years, she entered a Master’s program in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Colorado State University and graduated in 2006. Shawanna is an alumna of the AAC. She began working with the AAC as a first-year student, working in varying positions for the program: student receptionist, peer mentor, and peer retention specialist; and has worked continuously as a professional staff since 2000. Shawanna has dedicated her professional career to working with first generation, low-income students, and students with disabilities. As a first generation, low-income student herself, she knows how important it is to receive additional support while working towards a bachelor’s degree. She now serves as the Assistant Director for Retention at the Academic Advancement Center. She is the recipient of the Black-African Cultural Center Blanche M. Hughes Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award and has been a volunteer mentor for Black Student Services and the Colorado State University Ram Mentor for first generation students. Daily, Shawanna gives back to students what she gained from her participation in Student Support Services.
