Born and raised in Colorado Springs, UCCS alum Adelita Aguirre’s family history is marked by strength and perseverance. Her mother, who left school at the age of 14 to escape an environment filled with addiction and abuse, worked tirelessly to become financially independent and earn her GED. This determination to break free from a toxic environment inspired her daughter to dream beyond mere survival.
"Everything we do is bigger than ourselves; it's about breaking vicious cycles and honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us," Adelita said.
Her journey with UCCS began with a childhood tour, where the allure of an ice cream machine and the idea of attending school in pajamas captured her imagination.
“In high school, I gained a greater understanding of what it really meant to go to college and knew that my family and I could not afford to pay for my education,” she said. “I am a first-generation college student and had planned to attend a two-year college and to later transfer.”
Adelita felt lost, confused and intimidated by the college-going process.
“In the midst of this confusion, I was welcomed with warmth and kindness to UCCS,” she said, explaining that her family needed help with the FAFSA application. “People on campus were extremely supportive with helping us learn more.”
Ultimately, Adelita said she chose UCCS because of the staff’s ability to meet her and her family with compassion and care, and a financial aid package that made her education more affordable.
She received the Reach Your Peak Scholarship, the Chancellor’s Leadership Class Scholarship, and the Reisher Scholarship. Adelita was also a Chancellor’s Leadership Class and UCCSlead Program Coordinator, a student scholar board member for the Colorado Leadership Alliance, a UCCSlead Facilitator, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, and she was selected for the Colorado Capitol Conference in Washington D.C. in 2019.
She said support from current and past professors and staff like Tam Doane, Jennifer Fisher, Sloan Gonzalez, Brad Bayer, Regina Winters, and Zuleika Johnson was instrumental in her success.
"UCCS was my home for six years, fostering my sense of belonging and self-discovery," Adelita said.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in leadership in 2020. Two years later she earned her master’s in public administration along with a nonprofit management certificate.
"A UCCS education opens up endless possibilities. The education and resources provided by UCCS empower students to make the most of their experiences and achieve their dreams," she said.
Currently, Adelita serves as an Associate Scholarships Officer at The Denver Foundation and an Associate Consultant at Working Within, supporting access to higher education and helping nonprofit leaders access capital.
"I love getting to play a small role in ensuring there is a seat at the table for marginalized communities and doing my part in making environments more inclusive and trails easier to blaze," she said.
For current UCCS students, Adelita has the following advice: "Get involved and cherish the days when your primary focus is your education and building a community. Be intentional with your time and don't feel pressured to say yes to everything. Make time for fun, enjoy the moment, and celebrate your achievements."