Alumni Profiles

Morgan Pinto

Title/Company: B.A. / Masters in Chemistry at UCCS

Major at UCCS: Human Biology

Advice for CLC Scholars: Explore the aspects of your life that you want to improve while your in CLC. This is a program to help scholars grow, it is not expected that a scholar is already perfect. Also, there will be no better time in your life to take risks that you want to take. You have a powerful group that will support your growth.

Bret Eckelberry

Title/Company: I work as a sales associate for KREL ESPN Radio 1580 AM Colorado Springs-Pueblo

Major at UCCS: Business Administration Minor: Leadership Studies

Favorite CLC Memory: My favorite CLC memory is the entirety of my first Santa Fe Trail Days volunteer trip. It was an incredible experience all around.

Advice for CLC Scholars: Don't get discouraged! Perseverance is one of the primary ingredients for success!

Joey Ruffini

Title/Company: Freelance Cinematographer for my own company DTP Films and a Technician at CBS News

Major at UCCS: Communications, Digital Film-making

Favorite CLC Memory: My favorite CLC memory was having the opportunity to plan the CLC retreat

Advice for CLC Scholars: Anyone who tells you to take the safe bet, and not to gamble on your dream may be looking out for you, but they're also probably wrong.

Austin Bowman

Title/Company: Assistant Teacher - Beyond the School Bell -Student Connections Liaison - UCCS FYE

Major at UCCS: Psychology and Leadership Communication, Minor in Political Science

Favorite CLC Memory: The Fall 2012 Retreat - Getting to meet the incoming scholars and reconnect with friends was something I'll won't soon forget.

Advice for CLC Scholars: Be open. CLC will challenge you, scholars won't always agree, but if you remain open to new experiences and different opinions then CLC will profoundly impact your life.

Allison Buck

Title/Company: Registered Nurse

Major at UCCS: Nursing

Favorite CLC Memory: I have so many memories from CLC. The retreat keeps getting better and better and I will never forget my first retreat bonfire.

Advice for CLC Scholars: My advice to CLC scholars can be found in my favorite quote, "Don't be afraid of failure... be afraid of success at the wrong thing" -Melissa D'arabian

Patrick Hayes

Major at UCCS: Double Major in Political Science and History

Favorite CLC Memory: My favorite CLC memory was participating in the Santa Fe Trail Day's festivities in Las Animas, Colorado

Advice for CLC Scholars: My advice to scholars is to always search for a new "nugget" of information in seminars, and always continue learning.

Drew Johnson

Title/Company: Business Outreach / Blue Star Recyclers

Major at UCCS: Business and Sustainability

Favorite CLC Memory: Doing group service projects with CLC is always fun, but some of the most memorable times are the car rides together to and from events. Whether it is carpooling to the Chancellor's house, or five scholars in a car packed with camping gear for a Volunteers Outdoor Colorado project, you can count on meaningful conversations, good laughs, and some classic karaoke.

Advice for CLC Scholars: CLC is the place to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and take risks. With the support the program provides, you have little to fear from failure. Take advantage of this time to establish yourself and discover the unexpected.

David Jorgens

Title/Company: Business Development/Rainsberger Wealth Advisors

Major at UCCS: Finance

Advice for CLC Scholars: Find what you're truly passionate about and get involved in the community, give back to the CLC program, don't get in your own way, and never stop pushing towards your dreams!

Rob Mann

Title/Company: Electrical Engineering Intern at RT Logic

Major at UCCS: Electrical Engineering

Favorite CLC Memory: My first retreat. I instantly felt as if I was part of a new 40-member family.

Advice for CLC Scholars: Keep yourself humble by recognizing those helped get you where you are.

Cynthia Ortega

Title/Company: EPA Chemist/Pxyant Labs

Major at UCCS: B.S. Chemistry

Favorite CLC Memory: Going to ITz with everyone and buying the lava lamps.

Advice for CLC Scholars: If you feel overwhelmed, just remember your motivation for being where you are now in the first place. Don't forget what your motivation to succeed is!

Phillip Ramsay

Major at UCCS: Philosophy and English

Advice for CLC Scholars: The simulation can be real if you choose to invest in it. This is not practice, this is not rehearsal for the future; this is the start of a whole new life. Start conducting yourself as if this were the first day of your future job. Embrace the honor and responsibility.

Ciara Peratt

Title/Company: Elementary Education/Teaching abroad in Chile

Major at UCCS: Elementary Education, Biology Emphasis, Leadership Studies Minor

Favorite CLC Memory: My Sophmore year retreat at Glen Eyrie hiking and getting to know the other scholars. The other time is camping during VOC in Eagle, Colorado.

Advice for CLC Scholars: Do group service projects and get together with scholars outside of CLC, this builds relationships and connections you will have for life!