September 19, 2025
AURORA, Colo. – This fall, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) congratulates ten students inducted into the 2025 Presidential Scholarship Program, with funding made possible by new sponsors Civitas Resources and Nelnet. The program provides its scholars with a $3,000 scholarship and development opportunities to shape them into the next generation of leaders in Aurora and Colorado.
Through our partnership with CCA’s Presidential Scholars program, Nelnet supports students’ path to college credentials and participates in important career mentorship activities with students,
said Natalie Artibee, Managing Director of Nelnet Diversified Services. Nelnet is committed to developing a pathway to achievement and prosperity through the power of education
CCA provides accessible, world class educational opportunities to Colorado students,
said Ariana Solis, Senior Corporate Responsibility Specialist at Civitas Resources. Their commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow through the Presidential Scholars program is why Civitas Resources is proud to support the 2025 cohort. As students prepare to enter the work force, the skills they’ve developed through mentorship and leadership coaching will be the key to standing out.
Returning sponsor Amazon supported the program in its first two years and made three the magic number by donating again for the 2025 scholars.
We are excited to build on the success of our continued partnership with CCA and continue our commitment to Colorado’s educational future,
said Ian Conyers, Amazon’s Head of Community Engagement in Colorado. By strategically investing in these training and education programs, we’re not only preparing students with the technical skills and real-world experience they need to thrive on day one of their careers, but we’re also strengthening Colorado’s talent pipeline while creating pathways to jobs that support families and communities.
Meet The 2025 Presidential Scholars
These ten Presidential Scholars reflect the diversity of Aurora’s “world in a city.” Between them, they speak more than 12 languages and hail from six countries. CCA’s recent investments in the Centennial campus to teach new nursing and behavioral health programs are evident among them, with the majority studying health care.
Regardless of the area they study, their commitments to their families, educational goals, and communities are unmatched.
- Charlotte Atiiru: Originally from Ghana, she is a mother of three and studying in the competitive Integrated Nursing Pathway.
- Ahmad “Rafi” Bayat: A father of two, Rafi studies computer science and wishes to make education more accessible to women in his home country of Afghanistan.
- Melany Bertaud: As a communications student from Mexico, her sights are set on becoming a speech pathologist.
- Marissa Cantu: Coming to CCA from Del Mar College in Texas, Marissa is a future nurse in the Integrated Nursing Pathway. She hopes to honor her grandmother’s care and empathy for others in her career.
- Tasneem Hamdan: A mother to twin toddlers and a refugee from Sudan, Tasneem studies nursing.
- Dakota Nicolopoulos: A single dad in the Denver metro area, he is studying to be a nurse in the competitive Integrated Nursing Pathway.
- Yagana Qambari: Originally from Afghanistan, she hopes to set an example for her six siblings by studying business and real estate.
- Alexa Ramirez-Castillo: A recent graduate of Adams City High School, Alexa is studying translation & interpretation.
- José Ruelas: US Army Veteran and father, he decided to pursue nursing in the Integrated Nursing Pathway after his experiences serving overseas.
- TJ Sorupanathan: Originally from Sri Lanka, Tj is a mechanical engineering student at CCA interested in one day transferring to a four-year university in Colorado.
This third cohort of Presidential Scholars reflects the very spirit of the Community College of Aurora.
said CCA President Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, who originally introduced the scholarship program. These scholars represent the full spectrum of our learners—working parents balancing family and education, former executives and business owners who have come from across the world to pursue the American dream, and so many others. Their stories remind us that excellence knows no boundaries, and that education is the great equalizer in transforming lives and creating upward social economic mobility.
Nurturing The Changemakers of Tomorrow
Being a Presidential Scholar means representing CCA out in the community as volunteers and at special CCA events. Scholars also participate in monthly leadership classes and meet regularly with a career mentor, offerings that are not usually available at community colleges.
The Community College of Aurora Foundation (CCAF) secures the scholarship’s annual funding and oversees the scholarship and career development program.
We are so lucky to have amazing partners who are willing to give their time and expertise to mentor our scholars,
said Britt Davis, CCAF Scholarship and Donor Impact Coordinator. By helping students make connections and network, they are imparting soft skills alongside life lessons in a way that is boosting the social capital of our scholars.
CCAF is excited to pair these professional mentors with Presidential Scholars:
- Andy Brooks, Human Resources Manager with GH Phipps Construction
- Chanel Butler, National Manager with Kaiser Permanente
- Jen Chapman, Speech Language Pathologist with Early Intervention
- Debbie Gallegos, Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Experiential Programs with University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy
- Randi Morritt, Chief Operations Officer with Visit Aurora
- Brian Mulnix, Client & Project Development Director with GH Phipps Construction, Board Member of Community College of Aurora Foundation
- Lauren Powell, Emergency Room Nurse with UC Health
- Sandra Rodriguez-Welsh, Nurse Manager with UC Health and Board Member of Community College of Aurora Foundation
- Nick Thompson, Orthopedic Surgery Nurse with UC Health
About the Community College of Aurora:
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three (3) campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent-enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
About the Community College of Aurora Foundation:
The Community College of Aurora Foundation (CCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing student success and high-quality education at CCA. The Foundation raises philanthropic resources, forges community and industry partnerships, and cultivates donor engagement. CCAF is committed to stewarding contributions with integrity and transparency, guided by the vision to support CCA in being the college where every student succeeds. For more information, visit https://auroragives.org.