Success
Looks Like Me
University of Northern Colorado
Alumni Spotlight
unco.edu/admissions
From its beginnings 125 years ago, the University of Northern
Colorado has been proud of its graduates — professionals who
step out into the world to change lives and shape the world
around them.
Teachers, artists, entrepreneurs, nurses,
scientists and historians — alumni who are
passionate about their work, and who carry
with them skills and knowledge that was
shared with them by expert faculty.
We want to share the stories of eight of
our outstanding alumni, each representing
the 130,000 graduates who’ve passed
through UNC classrooms.
At UNC, you follow in the footsteps
of some amazing students, then you step
out into life and leave footprints of your
own — on a path you choose and flourish
with your skills and passion.
Courtney Empson-Waley
Foster-to-Adoption Manager, Adoption Options
Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice and Psychology, 2007
Courtney graduated from UNC with a bachelor’s degree
in psychology and criminal justice in 2008. Courtney
is a first-generation graduate, being the first member
of her family to attend and complete her education
from a four year institution. While at UNC, Courtney
volunteered and worked with a local non-profit as
a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, which kept her
involved with campus activities like “Take Back the
Night” and partnerships with the Assault Survivors
Advocacy Program. Courtney was also involved in campus life through her
membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated which she joined in
2007. After graduating and returning to Denver, Courtney began working with
Adoption Alliance as an Administrative Assistant in the foster care program and
within two months realized that she had a passion for working with families.
Courtney became a foster care case manager in early 2009 and has worked with
children in foster care as a case manager, foster care coordinator and residential
mental health worker. She now works for Adoption Options as a Foster-toAdoption Program Manager, a program she helped start at her agency in 2012
and as a Mental Health Worker for Mount Saint Vincent’s Home in Denver.
“UNC gave me the
opportunity to collaborate
and work with people
from all walks of life. Even
when their opinions or
beliefs contradicted with
my own, I learned to be
present in the conversation
and take away what I could.
This experience has been
essential to my social work
career.”
Bradley N. Inhulsen
Broker Associate and Owner, Sears Real Estate
Bachelor of Science, Business Finance, 2012
Brad Inhulsen is a young professional in real estate
who stresses the importance of dedication in every
aspect of his career. Brad graduated with a Bachelor
of Science in Business Finance from UNC’s Monfort
College of Business in the spring of 2012. Since
graduation, Brad has been helping families buy and sell
homes at Sears Real Estate in Greeley, and throughout
Northern Colorado, but believes that the true nature
of his business is building relationships throughout
the community. Brad is detail-oriented, balancing his time between business
and giving back to the community through a variety of volunteer efforts.
Currently, Brad acts as Director for the Colorado Association of Realtors, is a
Board Member for Sears Real Estate, and a member of the UNC Young Alumni
Council. Brad was recently awarded with the Alumni Spirit Award for his
exceptional achievements in his career field and his continuing service to UNC.
“My time at UNC helped
me develop the skills in
relationship-building that
are so vital to my career
today. I’m grateful for all
of the people I got to know
before graduation, and the
support I received through
the Monfort College of
Business and Career
Services. This is why I
push alumni to give back;
because those relationships
are just one of the reasons
UNC is such a great
university.”
Amanda Miller
Service Representative, Social Security Administration in Greeley
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology with a Spanish minor, 2009
As a service representative for the Social Security
Administration in Greeley, Amanda Miller finds that she
uses the skills and knowledge she developed at UNC on
a daily basis. She says that her UNC degree gave her a
strong knowledge base for working with people of varied
cultural, education and socioeconomic backgrounds, as
well as strong Spanish language skills, all of which have
been invaluable in her work.
In addition to her required coursework, Amanda says
she learned a great deal beyond the classroom as well. She says she gained life
skills like managing multiple workloads, organization, time management, financial
responsibility and independence. Study abroad was also a factor in her education
and preparation for professional success. She headed to Madrid, Spain, for a
four-week study abroad program, as well as travelling to New York City, Lisbon,
Portugal and Paris.
“I truly learned a lot about
the Spanish language and
culture and will never
forget my time in Madrid.
My travel experiences
really opened my eyes
to the outside world and
allowed me to experience
various cultures that I
don’t have exposure to at
home.”
Jose Martinez III
Economics and Social Studies Teacher, Bear Creek High School
Bachelor of Arts, Social Science, 2007
Coming from a long line of educators, Jose
Martinez III graduated from UNC in 2007
with a bachelor’s degree in social science with
an emphasis in secondary education. While
at UNC, Jose was an active member of the
Cumbres Teacher Preparation Program, was
involved in a Latino-based fraternity, served
as a peer-tutor through Academic Support
and Advising and was a part of the school’s
prestigious President’s Leadership Program.
Jose is an economics and social studies teacher at Bear Creek High
School in Lakewood, Colorado, and is known for his creative approach
to education. In 2013, he was honored with the prestigious Milken
Educator Award. Also known as “the Oscar of Education,” the Milken
recognizes the accomplishments of early-career educators and fosters
their continued development.
“UNC was one of the most valuable
experiences in my life because it taught
me that the future belongs to those of
us who are still willing to get our hands
dirty. Becoming a good teacher is not
an easy process. There are setbacks,
mistakes and an incredible amount of
time, but I heard a quote from Conan
O’Brien that I think encapsulates the
process; ‘Work hard and be kind and
amazing things will happen.’ There
is very little we can control in the
world of education, but we can control
ourselves; and in doing so, if we want it
bad enough, we can change the world.”
Jenni Cyphers
Athletic Trainer and Sports Medicine Teacher, The Classical Academy
Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, 2011
Jenni Cyphers’ dream job was to work as an athletic
trainer at the high school she attended before coming
to the University of Northern Colorado. It’s a goal she
me after graduating with her degree from UNC’s highly
regarded Sports and Exercise Science program.
UNC has the longest standing accredited Athletic
Training Education Program in Colorado and Jenni is a
member of the program’s large community of successful
alumni. Students in the rigorous five-semester program
build skills and knowledge in medical evaluation, rehabilitation, treatment
protocols, emergency care, injury prevention strategies, health administration
and human performance.
During her studies as UNC, Jenni worked with UNC’s athletic training room
as well as at an off-site clinic or high school almost daily, gaining clinical and
hands-on experience. She says that UNC taught her to build a sports medicine
program at her school from the ground up.
“There is no other program
in the state that prepares
athletic training students to
start their athletic training
position than the program
at UNC. They create a
senior capstone experience
that allows seniors to
develop autonomy and
confidence.”
Alton Dillard
Senior Public Information Officer, Denver Elections Division
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, 1986
Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in
Journalism-Mass Communications in 1986,
Alton Dillard has received a number of
awards and honors. In 2009, he was honored
by UNC with the Alumni Association’s
Distinguished Service Award. He was also
named “Future Black History Maker” by the
Rocky Mountain News, and Professional of
the Year by the Colorado Association of Black
Journalists. From 1993 to 2005, Alton grew his expertise as Deputy
Press Secretary and Press Director to U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse
Campbell. Alton currently serves as the Senior Public Information
Officer for the Denver Elections Division. In this post, Alton oversees
all election-related communications, serves as spokesman, legislative
liaison, social media manager and staff photographer. Alton grew up
in Denver, and chose UNC “because UNC chose him.”
“I’ll always be a proud Bear because
UNC took a chance on a less-thanstellar high school student and allowed
me to transform into a good student
both academically and through
extracurricular activities like the
University Program Council, the Black
Student Union and intramural athletics.
Being a Bear helped broaden my world.
My first three roommates in Turner
Hall were two snuff-dipping cowboys
from Salida and a junior hockey player
from the suburbs of St. Louis. That too
was a learning experience.”
Dr. Violeta Garcia, PhD
Principal Designer at STEM Learning by Design
PhD, Biological Education, 2013
Dr. Garcia is a native of El Salvador. Her family immigrated
to the United States after fleeing civil war in her home
country in 1988. She is the third of six children, who
collectively have earned five bachelors’ degrees, three
masters’ degrees, and she is the first to earn a PhD. Violeta
holds a Bachelor’s of Biological Sciences from the Cal State
University, Fullerton. She earned her master’s degree from
UCLA, and a doctorate from UNC. While at UNC, Violeta
was awarded the Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence
in 2012 and was also recognized as the Inspiring Woman Student in 2012. Her
mission is to advocate for the advancement of students who typically don’t have
experiences and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). Violeta has served as the STEM Coordinator for the Colorado Department
of Education where she developed Colorado’s Vision for STEM education,
contributed to the development of the Colorado STEM Education Roadmap,
and built capacity for teachers to interpret the standards and integrating STEM
education in all content areas to make learning meaningful and personal for all
students. She continues her work in advancing STEM opportunities through her
business, STEM Learning by Design.
“My education at UNC
helped bridge my passions
into a new career in the
design of STEM education
programs for students
throughout Colorado.”
Gerry Heise
Executive Director for Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra
Bachelor of Music, Trumpet Performance, 2012
Following his passions, Gerry Heise graduated
from UNC with a degree in music performance
and minor in business in the fall of 2012. While
at UNC, Gerry worked in the Greeley community
and on campus in Community Art outreach
offices, gaining in-depth insight into the role
of the arts in local neighborhoods and school
programs. Using what he learned, Gerry is helping
to advance the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra’s
long tradition of success and community engagement as their Executive
Director. At the Greeley Philharmonic, Gerry manages all human and
financial resources, implements policies set by the Board of Directors,
sets the tone for organizational operations and oversees the contact of
external constituents including guest artists, school districts, patrons
and potential volunteers and donors. He is also involved in growing the
arts within the Greeley community as a Board Member of the Greeley
Creative District. This district works in partnership with UNC, the
Downtown Development Authority, the City of Greeley, and the Colorado
Creative Industries to promote the creative enterprises in the community.
“My educational journey at UNC
led me to discovering a career in
Arts Administration. I was able
to hone my musical ability while
learning the necessary business
and work-place skills to lead an
arts organization. I encourage all
students to follow their passions,
and surround themselves with
individuals that will help them
follow those passions. UNC is full
of faculty and staff that will help
you discover and cultivate your
passions and dreams.”
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
Greeley, CO 80639-0006
888-700-4UNC (4862) Fax: 970-351-2984
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The University of Northern Colorado is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
age, disability, creed, religion, sexual preference or veteran status. For more information or issues of equity or fairness or claims of discrimination contact the UNC
AA/ EEO/ Title IX Officer at UNC Human Resource Services, Carter Hall 2002, Greeley, CO 80639 or call 970-351-2718.