UCCS senior Kevin Velasco has been named Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA) 2023 Student Leader of the Year for his leadership skills and efforts. This prestigious award is offered by Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation. Velasco was selected from a pool of nominees from 12 Colorado institutions, including all four campuses in the CU system, with each nominating only one student.
“I’m very grateful to have been recognized as the CLA Student Leader of the Year, and I hope that it can serve as a testament towards the importance of ambition and dedication,” said Velasco.
Velasco is a senior pursuing a double major in Economics and Political Science with plans to work in the public service field after graduating this May. In addition to being a scholar in the Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC), he is co-president of the Latinx Student Union and Director of Finance in the UCCS Student Government Association (SGA).
“In the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, we talk about effecting positive change in our communities, and Kevin has made an incredible impact at UCCS during his time here,” said Cody Parish, Coordinator of UCCSlead and the Chancellor’s Leadership Class.
Alongside his efforts on campus, Velasco keeps busy working part-time and interning with the Government Affairs Department of El Paso County. At his internship, he analyzes prospective state legislative efforts that may impact El Paso County and assists in discerning whether the county should administer lobbyist efforts. He also helps with researching internal committees and boards, drafting guiding documents for certain meetings and more.
“Through his campus leadership as Co-President of the Latinx Student Union and SGA Director of Finance, Kevin has not only demonstrated an amazing commitment to community building but also to enriching campus life by assisting student clubs and organizations with securing funding for their events and initiatives,” Parish noted. “Somehow Kevin has managed these leadership roles while simultaneously working part-time and completing an internship with the county.”
“I’m proud of the way he empowers his fellow students and grateful to have him as a scholar in the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. He so deserves this award and recognition for his work,” added Parish.
Velasco is the fourth UCCS student to receive this award and will share more about his background and leadership story at the Leading Colorado Luncheon on March 9.
“I want to thank the Latinx Student Union, the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, the UCCS Student Government Association, and MOSAIC for helping me throughout this undergraduate journey and for inspiring me to pursue those sometimes absurd heights that I hope to and will reach. Lo hice por mi gente, por la raza y para el movimiento,” Velasco said.
About the Chancellor’s Leadership Class
Chancellor’s Leadership Class is a four-year undergraduate leadership development program at UCCS initiated in 1997. The program is designed to engage scholars with the members of the Colorado Springs community to nourish positive community impact through leadership and training. CLC strives to empower students to become leaders by facilitating opportunities for self-reflection, community service, and professional development. Scholars also prepare and develop to be advocates for their personal passion and purpose in life. Learn more about the Chancellor’s Leadership Class online.
The Colorado Leadership Alliance works to bring together leadership programs, directors, and students from college campuses across Colorado, in order to define and address community needs. Find out more online.