Cinthia Nevarez Ruiz

Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives
970-947-8389 | canevarezruiz@coloradomtn.edu

What has been your educational journey?

I always knew I wanted to go to college, and it was an expectation from my family. I am a first-generation college student, oldest of four and daughter of immigrants.

I knew I wanted to pursue a career to help others. Therefore, I attended the University of Nothern Colorado, and started out majoring in Elementary Education with Spanish, English as a Second Language and Bilingual Bicultural endorsements. During my student teaching, I realized I wanted to support individuals outside of the classroom, so I ended up switching to Human Services.

What is your role at CMC and COSI?

I work in the Office of Strategic Initiatives, where our team leads, manages, and implements college-wide grants and initiatives. One of them being Fund Suenos. I also serve as one of the leads for the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) programs at CMC, and I am the main point of contact for the COSI Back to Work, also known as Tomorrow Ready Scholarship.

What got you to CMC and what keeps you here?

In order to graduate with my Bachelors in Human Services, I needed to complete an internship experience. I was born and raised in Glenwood Springs, and after five years of being away, I was ready to come back to the valley.

I was seeking an internship opportunity and came across TRIO Upward Bound. I reached out to the college prep program at the CMC Rifle location for first generation and/or low-income high school students. An internship opportunity was created for me. This made me realize how unique CMC is, and how willing it is to create opportunities for the communities we serve.

In my current role, I am able to continue building opportunities and changing systems for all students.