Laveen Khoshnaw’s story is one of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. As an immigrant from Kurdistan and the eldest of four children, she said she felt very in tune with the challenges she faced navigating their new life.
“It was a major challenge for me to figure out how to even pursue going to college when neither of my parents had any formal education and were unaware of the process here in the United States,” Laveen said. “It was not until my sophomore year of high school that I realized college would come with a financial cost, and I was unsure of how to pay for it.”
She had initially committed to another university, wanting to leave Colorado Springs and explore a new city.
“When I came on my UCCS campus tour, it was so inviting,” Laveen said. “I was able to connect with faculty members and meet the people that make UCCS special. I realized that I wanted to be somewhere where I would feel valued and advocated for.”
Laveen was awarded a Launching Integrity, Values and Excellence (LIVE) Leadership Program scholarship and named a Boettcher Scholar, both of which provided her with the means to pursue her dreams. Laveen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology – Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Political Science in 2019.
Her time at UCCS was marked by numerous achievements and opportunities. She participated in a fully funded research exchange at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, thanks to a recommendation from a UCCS faculty member. She was also involved in student government, serving in various roles including vice president of the student body where she was part of the first all-female ticket to take office.
Additionally, she co-founded the UCCS Women’s Student Association, the first organization dedicated to women’s mentorship across higher education institutions in Colorado Springs.
Laveen went on to graduate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in May of 2024 and is currently a first-year internal medicine resident physician at the University of Colorado Hospital.
“My plans after undergrad were to apply and attend medical school, and sure enough, I was able to complete that! I am currently practicing medicine as a resident physician and seeing my very own patients!” she said.
When asked what is possible with a UCCS education, her answer was simple.
“Everything is possible. Literally nothing is limited, in fact, doors are opened,” Laveen said. “There are a lot of unpaved roads that you can choose to take. No idea is too big, so run whatever thoughts you have by someone and see if they are willing to help you with anything from creating an organization, to participating in some research, to pursuing leadership on campus — there is so much you can do!”