First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program

The First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program is a comprehensive program designed to increase support and opportunities for first-generation college and multicultural students. FaM is unique to the CU Denver Business School. It is a program for students of any race or any racial background which we define as multicultural. The students we serve, in turn, help meet market demands for highly skilled and innovative thinkers and doers. We strive to help students access a wide range of opportunities and networks such as paid internships, expanded personal and professional communities, and leadership development. FaM also provides career/alumni mentorship, access to tuition scholarships, year-round programming, and many opportunities to engage in learning experiences - both in and outside the classroom - that help students successfully navigate their future career fields.

FaM cultivates a thriving ecosystem where the inherent strengths of every student are recognized, nurtured, and celebrated, fostering a shared journey towards 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 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 internships, and increased access to academic support and career readiness programming that helps launch them into their careers after graduation.

Play Video

Listen to the Program's Impact Through FaM Student Voices

Inclusive Community 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 peers from all backgrounds, forward-thinking industry partners and leaders, and Business school staff and faculty who are dedicated to student success. Their participation in structured program experiences will help them 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 and multicultural. You are a first-generation student if neither of your parents has completed a four-year college degree. The program is for students of any race or any racial background, which we define as multicultural.

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 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.

Mark your calendars! The FaM Application opens March 1st and closes June 1st of every year. Admitted students will begin the program in the fall semester of the same year.

Apply to FaM

Students admitted to the FaM Business Program become active participants in their learning, growth, degree completion, and career pathing journey. The program focuses on introducing students to a community of first-gen and multicultutral peers and professional networks. Through the program, students have access to corporate site visits, industry-led lunch and learns, skills building workshops, and peer and career mentors. We aim to help students prepare for the dynamic workforce and increase access to internships and jobs, informational interviews, professional certifications, and targeted community service. Throughout the program, students must:

Maintain regular communication with program staff
Maintain GPA requirements
Complete program requirements year-to-year
Students interested in applying for the FaM scholarship must submit a separate application through the Scholarship Universe as indicated in the FaM program application.
- The FaM Scholarship Application opens March 1st and closes June 1st of every year.

FaM students have access to a closet of gently used professional attire, free of charge. Students in the program can request items to borrow for interviews, luncheons, site visits, dinners, awards ceremonies, presentations, conferences, and so on. Some of the items we have in the closet are: blazers, dresses/skirts, suits, slacks, shirts/blouses, handbags, ties, scarves, shoes, purses, and more, in a variety sizes and colors.

FaM Closet

If you are interested in donating business attire to the FaM Closet, please email fam.business@ucdenver.edu or drop off items in the donation bin outside the elevators on the first floor of the business school located at 1475 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80238. If you are requesting a receipt for a donation valued at $500 or more, contact fam.business@ucdenver.edu for more information. CU follows IRS regulations when it comes to this documentation.

Play Video

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

FaM Student Spotlight

Hayden Storms

Senior | Marketing

Hayden encourages students to step outside their comfort zones. Whether that means talking to a professor, joining a club, or attending an event. He notes, “No one has to go through this journey alone, and there’s strength in recognizing when you need assistance. Your hard work will pay off, and you’re capable of achieving more than you realize.”

Click here to read Hayden's full student bio.

Information is based on the November 2024 interview date.

Liz Vance

2024 Graduate | Marketing and Info Systems

“The FaM program helped connect me to scholarships and people who were able to provide me with guidance, advice, and support. I applied for as many scholarships and programs as I could through the business school. Being open, honest, and transparent feels like a challenge sometimes - but doing so has provided me with countless scholarships, grants, and opportunities to learn from others who have found success after being in shoes like mine.”

Click here to read Liz's full student bio.

Information is based on the February 2023 interview date.

Alex Nguyen

2024 Graduate | Information Systems

"Talking to the employees helped me realize that everyone starts at different points in life, but there’s always an opportunity to gain experience, no matter our majors, interests, or knowledge.”

Click here to read Alex's full student bio.

Information is based on the May 2023 interview date.

Lily Balderas-Lujan

Junior | Finance

“Difficult times are inevitable, but you will always come out stronger and better equipped. I also hope that everyone remembers that just because our paths and backgrounds may be different from the majority, that doesn’t make us any less capable or worthy of achieving all our dreams. Keep working hard to achieve all your dreams and goals.”

Click here to read Lily's full student bio.

Information is based on the February 2024 interview date.

FaM Mentor Spotlight

Sean Choi

Life’s journey is rarely linear, and Sean Choi knows this firsthand. Raised in a hardworking Korean immigrant household in Colorado Springs, his parents, a carpenter and a seamstress, instilled in him the value of education.

As an introvert, Sean pushed himself in high school, joining the improv team to build confidence and serving as class president, which sparked his passion for leadership. He became the first in his family to graduate high school and earn a political science degree from CU Boulder. Though he initially pursued politics, his path took unexpected turns, from working as a DJ and record store clerk to writing for The Onion and doing construction to support his family.

Seeking new opportunities, Sean earned an MBA in finance from CU Denver, utilizing resources like career fairs. He often felt out of place due to a lack of diversity, until a young Hispanic recruiter from FirstBank made him feel seen. That moment led to a career at FirstBank, where he worked as a teller intern, manager trainee, and real estate lender. Today, as Senior VP of HR and Director of DEI, he shapes company culture and supports employees.

Through FirstBank’s corporate involvement, Sean connected with the First-generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program. As a mentor, he helps students like him. those unfamiliar with networking, professional dress, or the cultural shifts of college and career life.

Beyond work, Sean enjoys DJing, hosting community events, and traveling with his wife and their wiener dog, Nacho. Reflecting on his journey, he reminds students:

"I didn’t plan this path. I just stayed open to trying different things and embraced uncertainty. You never know what you’ll end up enjoying."

Commonly Used Resources
Meet the FaM

Academic Advisors are dedicated to student success, academic advisors help students grow personally, professionally, and educationally through meaningful interactions, empowering them to navigate college life.
Business Career Connections (BCC) offers lifelong career coaching, networking, job opportunities, and professional development for students and alumni, providing tools and resources for all job search stages.
Counseling Center offers students with 10 free counseling sessions (individual, couples or family) each year and access to additional free workshops. Walk-in crisis counseling available.
Center for Identity & Inclusion (CII) Supports underrepresented students and promotes diversity and inclusion on campus. Services include:
- 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 Ensures equal access to university programs for students with disabilities by coordinating reasonable accommodations and promoting an inclusive educational environment.
Financial Aid Provides grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships to help pay for college or career school.
Learning Resources Center (LRC) Promotes student success, retention, and graduation through free academic support services for CU Denver students.
LGBTQ+ Student Resource Center Offers resources and community for those dealing with issues related to sexuality, gender identity, and discrimination. Located in the Tivoli Student Union, Room 213. Business hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LynxConnect A one-stop shop for enhancing student experiences, global perspectives, research, internships, campus employment, and career exploration.
Office of Case Management Supports students facing challenges such as mental health issues, safety concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and family emergencies by providing intervention, advocacy, and follow-up services.
Office of Equity Addresses sexual misconduct and discrimination, aiming to prevent and remedy these issues while providing education, training, and outreach to create a safer and more inclusive campus.
Peer Advocate Leaders (PALs) Offers one-on-one mentoring by trained student peers to support students on probation or suspension, helping them navigate academic success plans and university policies.
Phoenix Center at Auraria (PCA) Provides free and confidential support to survivors of interpersonal violence, offering academic advocacy, assistance with reporting, safety planning, court accompaniment, and emotional support.
Resources for Immigrants Students and English Language (RISE) Supports immigrant and ELL students through one-on-one meetings, peer mentorship, and workshops focused on their unique needs.
Single Stop Connects students to local community and governmental resources like SNAP and Medicaid, offering an online screening tool and individualized application assistance for public benefits.
The Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) Provides stipends to eligible undergraduate students to cover a portion of in-state tuition at participating colleges.
Undergraduate Admissions Office Assists with admission requirements, major selection, cost estimation, and exploring student life adventures.
Wellness Center Resources Offers a variety of wellness resources, including a student wellness center, swimming pool, spa, climbing wall, and food pantry.
Wellness Coaching Provides one-on-one support with a certified health coach, offering personalized guidance in a confidential setting. Book a free session online.
Writing Center Offers support for any type of writing, including class assignments, scholarship applications, and employment materials. Appointments are available in-person and online across the Denver area. Three sessions are required for the Academic Success Packet.
Work-study A financial aid award allowing undergraduate and graduate students to work part-time to earn money 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. As the Program Manager for the FaM Business Program, I'm honored to support the growth of first-generation and multicultural leaders in business. Watching our students gain knowledge and confidence is a joy, and celebrating their success never gets old. When I'm not working, I enjoy cooking, reading, traveling, creating art, and spending time with loved ones, including my pup, Leia.

Contact: Dominique.Maes@ucdenver.edu