Staff

Jordan can help you with:

• community-engaged learning course design, best practices, financial/logistical support and partnership development
• requests to facilitate a workshop or class session
• community-engaged research best practices and partnership development
  
  Education: PhD (Sociology), University of North Carolina; BA (Sociology and Religion), Trinity University
  
  Work Experience: Before I came to CC, I earned my PhD in sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a focus on social movements, inequality, qualitative methods, and community-engaged learning. I have been a community engagement educator and professional for the past 8 years, working to empower others with best practices and connections, and build programs that mutually support student learning, intellectual discovery, and community impact.  I continue to translate sociological insights and methods into practical guidance for others on how to develop a theory of change, and understand pathways and best practices of changemaking. I have 12 years of experience in college-level teaching, and find my greatest joy in facilitating learning spaces for students. 

Favorite Things About Working at CC: I love the passion of our campus community, and desire to make positive change in the world.  

Other Interests: In most of my free time, you’ll find me enjoying my three kiddos - Avery, Brynn, and Claire (yes, we did end up with ABC!).  My girls and I are known to have epic dance parties in the living room, and love reading Harry Potter together.  When I do get to enjoy some time to myself (I am told this will happen someday), I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy, music, running, nature photography, and being outdoors.

 Niki Sosa Gallegos
Assistant Director for Community Partnerships
nsosa@coloradocollege.edu
(719) 389-6022

Niki can help you with:

• Identifying a community partner that aligns with your interests and skills
• Connecting with community organizations to collaborate on shared work and impact

Education: BS (Mass Communications), Colorado State University-Pueblo

Work Experience: I started my career with nonprofit work in college, working for the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation (PHEF). After college, I transitioned to the South Eastern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SECAHEC) and shortly after Pueblo Rape Crisis Services (PRCS) where I took on the responsibilities of case management, crisis response, and volunteer coordination. After working for PRCS, I was seeking a new adventure and moved to Colorado Springs and worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters. I worked with high school students in a college readiness mentorship program. Through my college access work I realized the population I really wanted to work with is college students and I also wanted to stay connected to my nonprofit roots. I started in the CCE Fall of 2017, developing partnerships with local community based organizations and guiding students in their community engaged paths.

Favorite Things About Working at CC: Shove. I love the beauty and serenity of Shove Chapel. In the fast pace environment of CC, I love visiting Shove to grab a moment of stillness.

Other Interests: Lots of family time! My husband and I have a little doggo that we like to get out on adventures either around town or in the mountains. I'm a born and raised Puebloan and take any chance I can to visit family and walk the Pueblo Riverwalk. I also love binge watching reality competition shows, and I am currently a board member with Food to Power.

Tyra Voget
Civic Leadership Program Coordinator
tvoget@ColoradoCollege.edu
(719) 389-6885 

Tyra can help you with:

• Bonner Fellowship related inquiries, including individual advising for current Bonner Fellows
• Senior Capstone Community of Practice Changemaker Workshops
• CCE student employment processes, including inquiries regarding internship opportunities within the CCE & timesheet approvals for those employed by the CCE
  
  Education: MA (Higher Education & Student Affairs), Indiana University Bloomington; BA (Telecommunications), Indiana University Bloomington
  
  Work Experience: Prior to coming to CC, I was completing my master’s degree at Indiana University. While there, I worked as an Assistant Community Director for 2 years at Butler University in Indianapolis, where I supervised a team of RAs and built curriculum and training programs for the residence life office. I also worked in Butler’s Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, spearheading an on-campus initiative called Sustained Dialogue, a program meant to cultivate social change through dialogue. Following that experience, I worked for a short time in the Office of Community Engagement at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where I helped to build a training curriculum for their newly formed AmeriCorps program.

Favorite Things About Working at CC: The people here are incredible. This is a very collaborative campus and every person that I’ve met has been so dedicated to seeing this campus and Colorado Springs as a whole flourish.

Other Interests: I’m a huge fan of reality-based media (reality tv, documentaries, autobiographies, podcasts). I think mostly because I love the art of storytelling, but I’ll admit, the drama is also fun. I also love deep conversations, recreating recipe videos and DIY projects (though I am the least creative person I know), and exploring new places.

Sarah Elsey
Student Engagement Coordinator
selsey@coloradocollege.edu

(719) 227-8247

Sarah can help you with:

• Newman Civic Fellowship, Davis Projects for Peace and Community Engagement Mini Grants
• Inquiries and advising for the Community Engaged Scholars Program
• Information about starting a student organization advised by the CCE and current CCE student org. support 

Education: MA (Leadership with concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education), University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS); Graduate Certificate in Non-profit Management (UCCS); BA (Photocommunications), St. Edward's University

Work Experience: Prior to my experience working in higher education, I served two terms as a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer in Colorado. After finishing my masters degree, I worked in the Disability Services Office/ University Testing Center and then the Graduate School office at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. 

Favorite Things About Working at CC: I appreciate the beautiful landscape and architecture everywhere you look!

Other Interests: I love spending time outside running, biking, hiking, gardening or just taking a walk with my Golden Retriever. I also enjoy reading, watching films and sharing meals with friends and family. 

(719) 389-6846

Shelby can help you with: 

• General office inquiries
• Routing to appropriate staff member 
• Summit troubleshooting
• CEL course tags 

Education: Currently pursuing MA (Applied Geography), University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS); Dual BS (Horticulture and Sustainability), Oregon State University; Minor (Environmental Science), Oregon State University

Work Experience: I started my career as a logistics supervisor in the United States Air Force. Shortly after my transition out of the military, I worked in an administrative role at Intellitec College then transitioned to The University of Colorado Colorado Springs as an Academic Services Professional. After a short stint as a GIS Technician with the US Military, I came back to work in higher education with CC. 

Favorite Things About Working at CC: I love walking around campus and walking along the Monument Valley Trail. 

Other Interests: If I'm not reading a book (which is pretty much always), I can be found hiking or camping with my two dogs, Peaches and Mochi. I also love to forage, rock climb, cook, and garden.

AliciaRose Martinez
Assistant Director, College Access Programs

avmartinez@coloradocollege.edu

(719) 389-6098

AliciaRose can help you with: 

• Questions about the Stroud Scholars Program, including applications, eligibility, and participation
• Guidance on financial aid, mentorship, college readiness, and navigating the college process as a first-generation or underrepresented student

Education: BA (Romance Languages), Colorado College; MAT (Secondary Education - Foreign Language), Colorado College

Work Experience: I’ve spent over 20 years working in college access, student success, and educational equity. Before coming to Colorado College, I served as a high school Spanish teacher and adult ESL instructor, always centering my work around culturally responsive teaching and student empowerment. Since joining CC in 2021, I’ve led cross-campus initiatives that support first-generation and historically underrepresented populations of students from high school through college. I focus on building programs that combine mentoring, academic support, and community engagement to foster student growth, belonging, and success.

Favorite Things About Working at CC: I love working with all students and lifelong learners and helping to make connections between different people.

Other Interests: In my spare time, I co-direct the Mariachi Tigre program here at CC. I also enjoy crocheting, creative writing, doing art, and spending time with my incredible kid. 

Share, Explore, & Connect with the CCE

Share Your Experience

We want to hear about your experiences engaging with the community! Tells about your experience working with local organizations so that we can tell the story of community engagement and assess how to better support the campus and local community through partnerships. 

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cce@coloradocollege.edu

(719) 389-6846

1008 N. Weber

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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