Inclusive Excellence Champions
The First-year Peer Mentors at Pueblo Community College play an integral part in aiding the Title V OPTICA Grant in its core mission of closing equity gaps for all first-year students.
Throughout a student’s first year at PCC, these seven students provide individualized support. This looks different for every student. To list just a few of their responsibilities: They help students develop individualized study and personal-success strategies and connect with vital campus resources, educate their peers about the technology available throughout their education, and lend a supportive ear when college gets tough.
One of the driving forces that makes the members of this group so successful is their willingness to share their cultural narratives. These narratives range anywhere from bilingual, first-generation students to single mom going back to school. The peer mentors have created a space for PCC students to be themselves and feel comfortable on campus.
Rising Star Awards
Derrick Downs
Derrick Downs is a nontraditional student in his second year at Pueblo Community College. He is pursuing an Associate of General Studies degree and plans to transfer to Colorado State University Pueblo to earn his bachelor’s degree in construction management.
Derrick’s goal is to attend law school at the University of Colorado-Boulder with an emphasis in construction law. Originally from Alabama, Derrick is a combat veteran who served four years in the United States Army and now calls Pueblo his home.
He is a Kane Family Scholar and a member of the President’s Leadership Program, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America local chapter (Phi Beta Lambda) and TRIO. He also volunteers his time in the community with several nonprofits as a veteran mentor and peer support specialist, encouraging others to achieve their goals through higher education.
One of Derrick’s proudest positions at PCC is being a Student Ambassador. He says, “It’s like being a campus celebrity.” For Derrick, being a Student Ambassador is fulfilling because he can utilize his experience and talents to help others succeed and achieve their dreams.
Dantzelle Yazzie
Dantzelle Yazzie is a nursing student at PCC Southwest in Mancos. She will complete her associate degree in May.
She attended San Juan Vocational College after high school and earned a certificate in medical assisting, her career for the past 12 years. She loves taking care of people, especially those who may not have others to help them.
Dantzelle decided to become a nurse after caring for her grandmother during her cancer battle. After graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse while obtaining her bachelor’s degree, also through PCC Southwest. She hopes to go into public health nursing with a focus on advocating for Native American women. Her mission is to help improve the health of women of all ages.
In her spare time, Dantzelle enjoys being with her husband and two daughters, traveling out of town whenever they can. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, PCC Associated Student Government, Student Nurse Association of PCC Southwest and National Student Nurse Association.
Dantzelle planned and helped with on-campus events, assisted teaching a Young Women’s Class, organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a local shelter, created care packages for local emergency first responders and is helping plan her cohort’s pinning ceremony.
Dantzelle says being a part of her cohort helped her learn to take on a leadership role. She also learned the importance of community involvement.
Dantzelle appreciates the PCC staff, nursing instructors, and her classmates for their guidance throughout the past two years.
Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Academic Team
Academic Transfer Students
Lillian Byrne
Lillian Byrne has achieved academic success with her work ethic, sacrifice and time management. The past several years while attending PCC, Lillian worked as a paramedic in Pagosa Springs. She worked 48 to 72 hours per week, mentored new employees, taught American Heart Association classes and picked up extra shifts. Her dedication to her community was recognized when she received the paramedic of the year award in 2023.
Lillian maintained a 4.0 GPA while pursuing her associate degree in Nursing over the past year. She prioritized school but was able to preserve a balance among school, work and life.
In her spare time, you will find Lillian fishing, hunting, backpacking and gardening with her two mutts and husband. She has realized that learning will be a lifelong pursuit. While she chips away at her Bachelor of Science in Nursing this semester, Lillian will also attend a POST-approved course to create a peer support group for first responders in Pagosa Springs. She works in the emergency room as a nurse and part-time paramedic on the ambulance.
Lillian is grateful to be nominated for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Academic Team and appreciates the acknowledgment of her hard work and dedication.
Workforce Pathway Students
Sebastian Rivera
Sebastian Rivera is a first-generation college student. He has been endlessly supported and loved by his parents.
At 18 years old, Sebastian already had accomplished many of his academic goals. He graduated from Paragon Learning Center in 2022 at age 17, a full year before his expected graduation. Sebastian began his studies at Pueblo Community College in fall 2022, working toward obtaining his associate degree. His goal is to later transfer to CSU-Pueblo, where he plans to obtain his bachelor’s degree.
Ultimately, Sebastian wants to earn his law degree to practice immigration law. He has earned recognition on the PCC dean’s list and president’s list during his time at PCC and is part of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is a peer mentor with the OPTICA grant for first-year students.
Sebastian is grateful for the staff and faculty at PCC for their continuous support and boundless opportunities.
Richelle Stephens
Richelle Stephens is pursuing a certificate in medical coding in the Health Information Technology program at PCC. She is completing her apprenticeship in medical coding and billing with an OB/GYN clinic in Colorado Springs. She lives in Pueblo with her husband, Josh, and their Australian cattle dog, Reba.
Richelle worked in broadcast news for 12 years. She gained valuable leadership and time management skills in a variety of roles including newscast producer, assignment manager, and morning executive producer. She also lent her voice to television news packages and radio advertising.
She decided to take the leap from journalism to HIT to fulfill a desire to not only help the public but also be more hands-on with emerging technology. Richelle enjoys working with data and hopes to build her own computer with her husband in the near future.
When Richelle isn’t studying for the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate exam, she is making her own soap and fragrances, cheering on her favorite soccer teams (Sunderland AFC and Austin FC), learning to brew beer, reading several books simultaneously, and practicing hand embroidery.
Perhaps her greatest passion is vegetable gardening. Richelle is a Colorado Master Gardener and every year assists fellow Master Gardeners with planting and maintaining a community garden sponsored by the Pueblo Food Project. Someday she hopes to learn to play the banjo or mandolin.
Richelle is a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3367 and serves on the communications committee for First Unitarian Society of Pueblo.
State Student Advisory Council Representative
Corinne Wilder, Representative
Bio and Photo not available.