Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Students Recognized at CCCS Student Excellence Awards
Arapahoe Community College (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ) students Jake Chrissinger, Carolyn Doppler, Sarah Kuschel, Alejandra Ruelas Flores, Amber Woodcock, and the Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ student club were all honored on Wednesday afternoon, April 8, at the annual Colorado Community System (CCCS) Student Excellence Awards luncheon and ceremony at Social Capitol in Arvada.
Jake (PTK All-Colorado Academic Team) began his studies at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in the spring of 2025 and plans to graduate with his Associate of Applied Science degrees in Secure Software Development and Game Design & Development in August 2026. Jake, who holds membership in Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Phi Theta Kappa and National Society of Leadership & Success honor societies, is a student representative on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Shared Governance Leadership Council. He is the founding president of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Pumas eSports, a member of the Student Leadership Summit planning committee, and a student ambassador / design team member for the Peace Garden Project. An Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Study Abroad Tour Manager, he also works for the Colorado Gallery of Arts at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. Jake is the recipient of an Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Foundation Board Scholarship and plans to transfer into CU Colorado Springs to study Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning). His career goal is to work in technology where creativity, design and problem solving intersect, exploring how emerging technologies can be responsibly developed while improving the human experience.
Carolyn (PTK All-Colorado Academic Team) began her studies at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in August of 2024 and is currently pursuing her associate degree (AAS) in Nursing. A member of the Phi Theta Kappa and National Society of Leadership and Success honor societies, she has earned academic honors on the President’s List four times (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025). Carolyn is currently employed at UCHealth where she has worked for the past year and a half as a Lead CNA on the Medical Surgical Progressive Care Unit. She is interested in emergency and flight nursing, as well as Flight for Life, and aspires to work with an international medical transportation unit.
Sarah (PTK All-Colorado Academic Team) began her studies at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in the summer of 2025 and plans to graduate in May 2026 with her Associate of Arts degree (transfer major) in Economics. She has earned academic honors on the President’s List (4.00 term GPA) during each of her first two semesters at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and participated in an Honors Research Group on the economics of Denver’s I-70 capping project. Sarah, who is employed at a local coffee shop, plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Her career goal is to work in business finance or management.
Alejandra (Rising Star) is currently pursuing her Associate of Arts degree (transfer major) in Psychology and plans to graduate in May 2026. She is the founder and president of Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, a student-led organization focused on creating a welcoming space for Latine students. Alejandra leads weekly Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ meetings and collaborates with campus departments and community partners to provide programming and resources to help students feel supported, represented, and connected. Alejandra, who works in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Dean of Students office, has earned academic honors on the Dean’s List (3.50-3.74 term GPA; fall 2024 and fall 2025) and the President’s List (4.0 term GPA; spring 2023 and spring 2025). She is also the recipient of the Colorado Student Grant, an Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ institutional scholarship, and two Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Foundation Scholarships. An Outstanding Engagement Award honoree at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ in 2025, Alejandra is planning to transfer into a 4-year university to pursue a dual degree in Psychology / Criminal Justice. She aspires to become an attorney and work in public service, particularly in areas related to civil rights or immigration law.
Amber (Rising Star) is studying Communication (Associate of Arts transfer degree) at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and plans to graduate in December 2026. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success and Phi Theta Kappa honor societies, and has qualified for the Dean’s List (3.50-3.74 term GPA) and President’s List (4.00 term GPA) during her studies at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. A former President of the Journalism Club and a member of TRIO, Amber serves as the editor for the Arapahoe Pinnacle (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's student-produced online publication). She earned Excellence in Journalism recognition in 2025 (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Letters and Humanities Student Awards) and plans to transfer into CU Denver to pursue a bachelor's degree (Communication). Amber aspires to obtain a career in communication management or public relations in the independent film industry.
Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (Inclusive Excellence Champion) is a welcoming space for students to celebrate and explore the rich diversity of Latinx/a/o/e, Afro-Latinx/a/o/e, and Hispanic cultures, histories, and identities. Through community-building events, cultural discussions, and creative expression, Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ aims to foster unity, amplify underrepresented voices, and create a sense of belonging for all. The Somos Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ leadership team is comprised of Jake Chrissinger (Marketing), Levi Corless (Secretary), Ellisa Hansen (Vice President), Jesika Maldonado (Treasurer), and Alejandra Ruelas Flores (President).