Forever Buffs American Indian Alumni: University of Colorado Boulder

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07/04/2025

💛🖤 Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight !!! 🖤💛

— July 2025 —

Kalee Salazar, Taos Pueblo and Santa Ana Pueblo
Environmental Studies & Ethnic Studies, 2012

Current Career Field: Native Non-profits

⚡️If you could describe your journey post-CU Boulder in one word, what would it be?
🪶 Lightning - In a flash more than a decade of work in Indian Country, working to support community groups, and becoming a mother have happened. My son, being born in the height of monsoon season in the desert also connects me deeply with the transformation that happens when lightning strikes. While the time seems to have gone by quickly I have learned tremendously along the way specifically understanding the systems at play that shape our experiences as Native peoples through my career in Native focused organizations. More importantly, I’ve learned through experience, connecting with different Natives around Indian Country and beyond that even through heartache the enjoyable moments of life/light find a way to remind you of its beauty. Things can change in an instant and flowing with the inevitable changes have led me to places I’d never thought I’d be. With a mindset to never stop learning, I have built a family and continue to build community at all aspects of life. I am excited for what else is to come.

⚡️How can students make the most of their relationships with professors and mentors?
🪶 Be genuine with your connections and be yourself. Everyone at the university is learning and you will likely also be teaching your professor something new when you share your unique perspectives. Stay curious. Reciprocity will be remembered.

⚡️What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
🪶 Keeping it the CU thread - I spent my first year and a half at school as an environmental engineering major. Considering the work I do at Native non-profits and community building, that phase of life seems long ago! But I am happy to say that I have been part of one of the last Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) cohorts at CU and love connecting and reconnecting with Buffs when I find them in the wild.

06/02/2025

Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!!!

--- JUNE 2025 ---

Dr. Dominick J Ruybal, DO
Oglala Lakota and Catawba
Integrative Physiology, 2009
Current Career Field: Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Physician for Utah Navajo Health System, Inc.

What would you say to current members or students about making the most of their time with CU Boulder?
“Take the time to join multiple organizations and get involved in all the things that interest you. Whether that be intramural sports, charity organizations, student advocacy groups… etc. Use your time at CU to broaden your horizons and learn about yourself. Because after college you get so wrapped up in your career or with starting a family that you don’t get the time to do it. I also highly recommend studying abroad if you have the chance!”

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your career or field of work?
“Medicine is undeniably a tough profession, but what I love most is that no two days are ever the same—you never know what will walk through the door, and that unpredictability keeps it exciting. What often goes unspoken, though, is the personal sacrifice involved. Medical school and residency mean giving up most of your 20s to pursue this path. It’s eight years of school, followed by 3 to 10 years of residency, depending on your specialty. You really have to be all-in and pursue medicine for the right reasons, because you’re putting your life on hold during some of your most formative years to make it happen.”

What’s the most random item you’ve kept from your college days?
“When I was a freshman at CU I saw a car in the William's Village parking lot that had a bumper sticker that read, "No rides for Dom!" and I had no idea who this car belonged to but thought it was a hilarious sticker so I eventually found the owner and asked if I could take the sticker off their car to keep it. To this day I still have that sticker because I ended up framing it.”

Be sure to stay tuned for more Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!

05/22/2025

Native Grad at CU 🙌🏽💛🖤🩶🤍
Congratulations 👩🏽‍🎓👨🏽‍🎓🎓

05/01/2025

🦬 May Buff Spotlight🖤💛🩶

Patrita “Ime” Salazar from Taos Pueblo and Santa Ana Pueblo. 2016’
Distributed Studies with an emphasis in Communication.
Currently in Sr. Editor & Public Relations
—-—————-
We asked Ime a few questions, check em out!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received that you still live by?
Be yourself and don’t forget where you come from. Embrace your unique personality, thoughts, and beliefs. It is important to recognize and honor your background, culture, and the ancestors. Share your experiences and continue to practice your cultural teachings wherever you travel or settle.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I enjoy playing golf. I had a hole-in-one on the Black Mesa Golf Club course on Father’s Day 2022. Hole 15, 152 yds, used a driver and played with a Noodle 3 ball.

Q: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your career or field of work?
Most of my career, I have worked for National American Indian nonprofits/organizations. My chosen career paths and volunteer projects fulfill my passion to help Native communities in Indian Country. The opportunity to contribute to a mission resonates deeply with me and gives me great satisfaction.

Q: What’s the funniest thing that happened to you while you were on campus?
Back in the day, The Program Council hosted many concerts at Folsom Field, I volunteered as an usher (Rolling Stones, The Who, REO Speedwagon, Van Halen, The Grateful Dead, etc.) for these concerts. At the Rolling Stones concert, I was posted as an usher at the front of the stage. While ushering, I saw a high school friend from New Mexico at the concert, we exchanged high-fives, danced to a song, and “we laughed”. The next day after the concert, I picked up The Daily Camera and her rock’n photo was on the front page! How cool was that? I had to buy 10 copies of The Camera and mail them to her, because she couldn’t believe she was on the front page.

🖤💛🩶

04/02/2025

Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!
--- APRIL 2025 ---

Meet Adam Becenti (Diné), a proud alumni & member of the Forever Buffs American Indian Club.

Current Career Field: Small Business Owner – Black Streak Consulting LLC

Year of graduation and Study: 2006, Psychology and Ethnic Studies

We ask Adam to provide us with some fun questions about their journey, memories, and career path.

Here’s what he had to say:

Q: What’s the most transformative or eye-opening course you took during college, and how did it impact your career or personal growth?
“Social Factors in Environmental Design. Although I was a Psych student, my academic advisor suggested I use my elective to take a course outside of my major. The course was memorable mainly because the professor was quirky, odd, and entertaining. On the final exam he had a question pertaining to what shirt did he wear on the first day of class. The other eye-opening aspect was the course content as we analyzed how film, culture, politics, history etc. influenced how environmental design or architecture was crafted. This concept stayed with me because life imitates art/design and art/design imitates life in so many career fields. The course impacted my personal growth as I met my best friend, Eddie Rivas in class. We still kick it to this day.”

Q: What’s the best way to stay motivated when things get tough in college and/or life?
“Having a schedule or routine helps along with having a tight knit group of supportive friends. Make sure these friends also study and motivate you instead of thinking about the next hill party.”

Q: If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be and how would you use it?
“My superpower is to heal people’s trauma and traumatic memories. I believe the world functions too much through a traumatic lens that usually complicates relationships and how we don’t get along. I’d heal the world and those close to me so we can experience genuine peace, connection, and love.”

Be sure to stay tuned for May 2025 - Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!

03/04/2025

Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!!!
--- MARCH 2025 ---

Meet LuAnna Allapowa a proud CU Alumni and member of the Forever Buffs American Indian Club.

We ask LuAnna to provide us with some fun questions about their journey, favorite memories, and career path. Here’s what they had to say:

Current Career Field: Human Resources
Year of graduation and study: BA Geoscience 1999; Executive MBA 2019

1. What's your favorite memory or experience from your time with CU Boulder?
"Making friends and having fun with students in Oyate. I remember as an undergraduate the long days of making food for fundraising and leaving exhausted, greasy-faced, and with a tired smile believing we were making a difference on campus. I remain friends with people I met back then."

2. What's one unexpected skill or talent you discovered after leaving CU Boulder?
"Resiliency. Life doesn’t always go as planned. Keeping an open mind and putting in the work has always panned out for me."

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your career or field of work?
"I didn’t grow up wanting to work in Human Resources. Someone saw something in me and offered me a job. With two little daughters at the time, I thought why not give it a try. One thing I wish people knew about HR is it isn’t just about paperwork and compliance. It is about making time and valuing connections with people which creates a better working environment."

Be sure to stay tuned for more Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!

02/03/2025

Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight

--- February 2025 ---

Meet Lindsey Bax, CU Alumni & co-leader of the Forever Buffs American Indian Club.

Current Career Field: Human Resources, CU Boulder
Year of graduation & study: Ethnic Studies B.A. ‘09

Lindsey chose to share a little about herself and memories at CU:

What's your favorite memory or experience from your time with CU Boulder?
"One of my favorite memories is attending the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) conference in Chicago. These experiences inspired me to develop my leadership skills and expand my professional network.

I’ve also been involved in several student groups, such as Oyate, AISES, and the McNeill Program, which not only offered valuable opportunities but also helped me form lasting friendships and a sense of community at CU."

What’s one of your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that has influenced your life or career?
"My favorite book is Think like a Monk by Jay Shetty. It offers valuable insights into mindfulness, purpose, and approach challenges with a calm and focused mindset. The lessons from the book have helped me develop a more intentional approach to both personal growth and professional interactions, reminding me of the importance of perspective and inner peace in achieving success."

What would you say to current members or students about making the most of their time with CU Boulder?
"I would encourage current members or students at CU Boulder to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them, both inside and outside the classroom. Engage with professors, explore different areas of interest, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—whether that means joining clubs, participating in events, or building relationships with diverse groups of people."

You go Lindsey!

We're proud of all her contributions
… stay tuned for March’s Spotlight!

01/08/2025

Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!!!

--- January 2025 ---

Meet Tachara Salazar, a proud CU alumni and leader of Forever Buffs American Indian club.

We ask Tachara to provide us with some fun questions about their journey, favorite memories, and career path. Here’s what she had to say:

Name: Tachara Salazar
Current Career Field: Tribal Law/Legal
What did you study and graduation year: 2009: Chicano & American Indian Studies

1. What's your favorite memory or experience from your time with CU Boulder?
My favorite times were going to each other’s community and social events after hours. Whether it was a study hour, student group meeting or social gathering. The best memories were when we were in community and supporting each other on campus.

2. What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
Most people don’t know that I have never seen Star Wars and that I never plan to 😆

3. What’s one of your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that has influenced your life or career?
One book that has majorly influenced my life is ‘The 4 Agreements’, it pushed me into a world of self-discovery and forced me to examine myself and the relationships I held much closer. I am also a big audiobook listener as they help me stay committed to my daily walks!

We are incredibly proud of all that Tachara has achieved and are excited to see what the future holds!

Be sure to stay tuned for more Forever Buffs American Indian Spotlight!

12/19/2024

🖤💛🤍 Join us for one last hurrah! 🤍💛🖤

When: December 28th 2024, Saturday 👏🏽

Where: Bar 38 in the Highlands 🍻

What: To celebrate the Buffs 2024 season at the Alamo Bowl! 🏈

Who: American Indian Alumni, Black Alumni, LatinX Alumni collabo!

We will have free drinks for first bunch of attendees, and serving appetizers!

Root for your Buffs with us!

✊🏼 ✊🏽 ✊🏾✊🏿

11/19/2024

Great weekend connecting with our local N8V Buffs!

11/12/2024

The CUltural Ties that Bind Event went great!
It was great being in community and busying our hands in creativity. Turns out our community is quite artistically talented 🎨🧵🧑🏻‍🎨👩🏾‍🎨👨🏽‍🎨

Thanks to everyone for spending time with the fellow Buffs this weekend! 🖤💛🤍

11/09/2024

Today’s the day!
🎉🎨Join us for CUltural ties that Bind – Artful Connections
Through String! Let’s celebrate Native American Heritage Month through creativity,
connection, and culture.

🔨 Don’t forget your hammer (required) and needle-nose pliers (optional)!

📌 Koenig Alumni Center | ⏰ 2–6 p.m.

Address

Denver, CO

Website

http://alumni.colorado.edu/

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