First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program

The First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program is a comprehensive program designed to increase support for and resources to students who identify as first-generation or multicultural or both. FaM is unique to the CU Denver Business School. We strive to help students deepen community, build social capital and career networks, and access their careers of interest. We provide peer and career/alumni mentorship and offer scholarships, year-round programming, internships, and many opportunities to engage in learning experiences - both in and outside the classroom - that help students successfully navigate their future career fields.

FaM establishes an active and vibrant culture of inclusion that identifies students' strengths and fosters excellence. We recognize and intentionally address historical institutional barriers to student success by strengthening connections with Business School and campus-wide resources, engaging with industry partners, and lowering barriers to a wide spectrum of learning and growth opportunities.

What We Do

FaM is more than just an additional resource for first-generation and diverse students - it is a place to call home, where students are part of a validating environment that values their identity, accelerates their success, and deepens community. We support students' college completion by focusing on enhanced experiential learning opportunities, bolstering financial stability through paid mentorships, and increased access to academic support and career readiness programming that helps launch them into their careers after graduation.

Diversity and Excellence

FaM believes that students enter college with the essential strengths and skills needed to be successful. Throughout their participation in this program, students will connect with Business School and campus resources, deepen critical thinking skills, reframe complex problems, and develop new ideas. Our aim is to work alongside students and empower them to become the next generation of business leaders.

Interested in Joining FaM?

You qualify for FaM if you are an undergraduate student in the CU Denver Business School who identifies as first-generation, multicultural, or both.

You are a first-generation student if neither of your parents has completed a four-year college degree.
You are a multicultural student if you identify as racially diverse (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color).

An application to FaM is required, please read on for more details. Through engagement with the FaM program, students will have access to academic success strategies, mentors (peers, faculty and career), training and workshops that help develop learning and leadership skills, personalized roadmaps for success, referrals to campus resources, and more. FaM students will have ongoing opportunities to be in community with other students, faculty, staff, and alumni who identify as first-generation and/or multicultural. Through close collaboration with local industry leaders, FaM students will also have unique opportunities to "be who they can see" through job shadow days and career mentorship.

The FaM Application has been closed for the 2023 Cycle and will re-open in March 2024 for the 2024 Cohort. We hope you consider applying then!

Year 1: Every semester, participants must:

attend at least one site visit, at least one workshop/ event, and at least one lunch & learn or additional workshop
meet with your mentor at least two times a semester to discuss and work toward measurable goals
maintain regular communication with program staff
maintain a 2.5 GPA
- FaM scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA. Students interested in applying for the FaM scholarship must submit a separate application through the Scholarship Universe as indicated in the FaM program application.
understand that FaM participation is a journey of active learning, deepened community, growth, career pathing, and college completion

Play Video

Watch the video of our program being featured on 9 News.

FaM Student Spotlight

Rogelio Delgado

Senior | Information Systems

“I assumed that site visits and attending TEDx MileHigh, and getting invited to networking events were for students that didn’t share my experiences and had the right connections. I’m grateful to be a part of rewriting this narrative and contributing to the program's growth.”

Click here to read Rogelio's full student bio.

Abigail Nguyen

Junior | Information Systems

“My favorite part of FaM has been the site visits. It’s super cool to meet new people and learn what they do for a living. As a student, you work a handful of temporary jobs, and it can be difficult to imagine yourself doing something other than your job now. I find myself attending site visits and thinking this could be me.”

Click here to read Abigail's full student bio.

Shy Cook

2023 Graduate | Finance

“The FaM business program has increased my exposure and trajectory for my career. I have attended many events such as site visits and workshops that help develop inclusive leadership skills and networked with more professionals than I ever have in my life.”

Click here to read Shy's full student bio.

Greg Martin

2023 Graduate | Management & HR Management

“I made some really good connections with some really good people. I’ve gotten some incredible advice from them about searching for jobs. I’m trying to find a middle-level job which is harder to do when transitioning industries. I think that I’m going to end up doing it through the connections that I made through the FaM.”

Click here to read Greg's full student bio.

Academic Advisors are committed to the success of all students and strive to aid in their personal, professional, and educational growth. Through meaningful interactions, advisors empower students by building strong relationships while helping them navigate the college experience.
Business Career Connections (BCC) offers career coaching, networking, job opportunities, and professional development training to all students and alumni for life. BCC also provides a suite of tools and resources to help you in your job search, no matter your experience or expertise. The goal is to give you the tools and resources to navigate your career.
Counseling Center offers students 10 free sessions (individual, couples or family) and access to additional free workshops. Walk-in crisis counseling available.
Center for Identity & Inclusion (CII). Also known as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. CII provides services: to support underrepresented students and promote a diverse and inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff. CU Denver's CII consists of:
- American Indian Student Services (AISS)
- Asian American Student Services (AASS)
- Black Student Services (BSS)
- Latinx Student Services (LSS)
- Undocumented Student Services
- Women & Gender Center (WGC)
Disability Resources & Services envisions an educational environment that is inclusive and embodies equality of opportunity while being dedicated to the full participation of students with disabilities in the university environment. In addition, they will work to coordinate reasonable accommodations to provide students equal access to the university’s programs, activities, and services.
Financial Aid is money to help pay for college or career school in the form of grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
Learning Resources Center (LRC) is designed to promote student success, retention, and graduation in the academic setting, and is free for CU Denver students.
LGBTQ Student Resource Center provides a resource for those experiencing issues with sexuality, gender identity, and discrimination or harassment, a community for all. The LGBTQ Student Resource Center is in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 213. Business hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LynxCenter need help connecting what you're studying to your future goals? LynxConnect is your one-stop-shop for enhancing your student experience, expanding your global perspective, researching your world, discovering internships, finding campus employment, and exploring your career options.
Office of Case Management supports students who may be experiencing difficult times related to mental health, safety concerns, interpersonal conflict, adjusting to college, family emergencies, feelings of isolation and anything else which may impact your ability to be successful at CU Denver. They serve students by providing intervention and advocacy, medical withdrawals, navigation of the university system and resources, and follow-up services and support.
Office of Equity responds to matters related to sexual misconduct and protected class discrimination both on and off-campus, with the goal of preventing, and/or ending these issues on campus. The office is to stop, prevent, and remedy discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and any related retaliation; provide education, training and outreach; design policies and procedures to make our campus safer and more inclusive; and ensure all individuals are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) provide one on one mentoring by student peers who are specifically trained to support probation/suspension students. The PALs focus on holistic academics to help students navigate the probation/suspension process (understanding the policies, guiding students through the Academic Success Plan process, clarifying timelines and deadlines, etc.).
Phoenix Center at Auraria (PCA) provides free and confidential resources and assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence (relationship violence, sexual violence, and stalking), as well as their friends, families, and concerned others. The support services include academic advocacy, assistance reporting to the school and/or law enforcement at the survivor’s request, safety planning, court accompaniment, emotional support, and more.
Resources for Immigrants Students and English Language (RISE) program is an academic and social support program that has a goal to support immigrant and English Language Learners at CU Denver by providing them with one-on-one meetings in which they can talk about their academic needs. RISE Peer Mentors connect students on and off-campus resources, and facilitate workshops and presentations focused on the needs of Immigrant and ELL students.
Single Stop at CU Denver connects students to local community and governmental resources (e.g. SNAP and Medicaid) that can help them overcome barriers to basic needs. Single Stop has a free online screening tool that can estimate in minutes what supplemental resources students might be eligible to receive. Our staff supports students in accessing and navigating these resources, including individualized application assistance for public benefits. If you have any questions or need help getting started, please email.
The Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) was created by the Colorado Legislature, provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when you attend a participating college. Eligible undergraduate students must apply, be admitted and enroll in classes at a participating college to receive this benefit. Both new and continuing students are eligible for the stipend.
Undergraduate Admissions Office offers students help with all of the requirements for admission, help students find their major, estimate cost of attendance or explore the adventures that await students.
Wellness Center Resources includes a single stop for the Salazar Student Wellness Center, Swimming Pool & Spa, Climbing Wall, the Wellness Suite, and the Food Pantry. The Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center features three levels of unique and flexible spaces. From a spa to study rooms, and gym courts to a patio, this 85,000-square-foot center gives you places to exercise, socialize, study or relax.
- For more information about the food pantry, click here.
Wellness Coaching is one-on-one support on your wellness journey, individualized support in your own personal wellness journey, confidential virtual or in-person sessions with a certified health coach, and someone to talk to, learn from and lean on as you make wellness a priority. Book a free coaching session!
Writing Center offers one-on-one support for any type of writing: class assignments, scholarship applications, petition letters, employment materials, personal writing, etc. Students must attend three 50-minute sessions to satisfy the Academic Success Packet requirement. Students not currently enrolled in coursework may work on writing from previous semesters or other relevant documents. Appointments are available both in-person and live online at locations across the greater Denver area. Appointments can be scheduled online.
Work-study is a financial aid award that allows undergraduate and graduate students to work part-time to earn money to pay for educational expenses.

Nimol Hen Photo

Nimol Hen, Director (Pronouns: She/Her)

Thank you for visiting our FaM page! My name is Nimol Hen (click on the audio name badge below to hear how I pronounce my name!).

Having arrived in the US as a child refugee, I am a proud first-generation college graduate. Like many first-gen'ers and students of color, I would not be where I am today without the champions I met along my academic journey who helped me access the resources I needed to thrive as a student and complete my degree. Most importantly, they believed in me and helped me see my own potential, and for that I will always be grateful. I now hold a master’s degree in public administration. I am incredibly humbled to have this opportunity to serve, and advocate for, our students through the FaM program. I look forward to seeing you in person or virtually!

Contact: Nimol.Hen@ucdenver.edu

Dominique Maes, Program Manager (Pronouns: She/Her)

Growing up in Denver, CO, I was fortunate to have the support of dedicated professionals who encouraged me to pursue higher education. I am proud to be the first in my family to attend college and grateful for the community of diverse learners that helped me earn my Bachelor's degree in Social Work from CSU Fort Collins. I continued my education at MSU Denver where I was able to delve deeper into my passion for empowering underrepresented students in higher education. Now, as the Program Manager for the FaM Business Program, I am thrilled to contribute to the growth of first-generation and multicultural leaders in the business world. It is an honor to watch our students gain knowledge and confidence, and I am excited to continue celebrating their success. When I'm not working, I enjoy cooking, reading, traveling, creating art, and spending time with loved ones, including my fur baby, Leia.

Contact: Dominique.Maes@ucdenver.edu

Hanah Salis, FaM Student Assistant (Pronouns: She/Her)

Hello! My name is Hanah, and I am a Junior at CU Denver, majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis on Management. I moved to Colorado to attend college and am so excited to have found a place in the FaM Program. I am looking forward to advocating for FaM students!

Rahwa Desta, FaM Student Assistant (Pronouns: She/Her)

Hello! My name is Rahwa Desta and I am a first-generation Senior majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance. I was born and raised in Aurora, CO and I come from an Ethiopian/ Eritrean background. I previously worked at the Center of Pre-Collegiate, assisting first-gen middle and high school students with academic support and applying for college. Since FaM launched, I've been able to find my community on campus and I’m excited to be an advocate for our FaM students!

Rey Gallegos Photo Reyann Gallegos, FaM Student Assistant (Pronouns: She/Her)

Hello! My name is Reyann “Rey” Gallegos and I am a first-generation junior majoring in Marketing with a minor in Psychology. I am a Colorado native and have lived most of my life in rural Brighton, CO. My Hispanic background has shaped my views on minority student access to higher education and support, which is why I am so excited to advocate for students as a FaM Peer Mentor and assistant.