Level up

More than 700,000 Coloradans have some college credit but no degree. MSU Denver’s Finish What You Started program aims to change that.

For a student such as Aida Beyene, who has had a successful career in telecommunications for the past 15 years, the program was a perfect fit. “I’ve always wanted to finish my degree,” she said. “I had a couple of years under my belt, and I dropped out a few times because I had some roadblocks. But ultimately, I was just thinking about what my next career steps would be.”

Beyene is on her way to being one of the 900 MSU Denver students whom the innovative program aims to graduate by 2026. The program provides personal, professional, academic and financial support for Colorado residents who are on track to graduate by May 2026, have been out of college for at least two semesters and can maintain a 2.0 GPA. Students must also prove that they have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Those looking to explore a new career or add more skills to their professional toolbox should check out MSU Denver’s Career Launchpad. The program offers affordable online introductory classes in multiple high-demand subject areas.

Students who complete a course get a digital badge to include on their résumé or LinkedIn page, and if they choose, they can convert the class to credit and work toward an MSU Denver credential or full bachelor’s degree.

The program can also be a great way to learn additional skills in their chosen field.

Emilee Vuksta, workforce projects manager at the Colorado Rural Health Center, already has a master’s in Health Administration. But when her office partnered with MSU Denver through a grant to recruit rural health care workers, Vuksta signed up for a Health Navigation Fundamentals class.

“It’s a well-rounded course and covered a lot of good topics for just getting to understand the field,” Vuksta said. “I thought it was really a great foot in the door.”

MSU Denver is one of Colorado’s top universities for transfer students, who make up about 50% of its student body. And for good reason.

Transfer student Maria Dos Santos Oliveira, who works as a peer mentor in the Transfer and Adult Student Success program, said the University’s wraparound services and focus on nontraditional students provide a positive experience for transfer students, especially those focused on getting into the workforce.

“I feel like MSU Denver prepares us very well,” said Dos Santos Oliveira, who is working toward a degree in Business Management. “Because there are things like the (Classroom to) Career Hub, and we are constantly receiving emails about career fairs and workshops. The University does a great job giving us all the right resources.” transfer student experience.

U.S. REP. BRITTANY PETTERSEN IS THE FIRST ROADRUNNER TO REPRESENT COLORADO IN CONGRESS. // BY

MATT WATSON