From a young age, Michele Girault (‘79) knew she wanted a career where she could help others. Girault, a graduate of Colorado State University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies, has dedicated her life to doing just that. Throughout her on-going 40-year career working in the social services sector, Girault has helped run organizations such as Hope Community Resources and Friends of Pets, and the Key Coalition of Alaska.  

Her continued deep commitment to these organizations and the people they help has led Girault to be recognized with this year’s College of Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Alumna Award. This award honors outstanding alumni from the College who, through their distinguished careers and service to the university, state, nation, or world, have brought honor to Colorado State University and to themselves. 

“Michele is helping to change the narrative for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to show the world that they are valuable, gifted, beautiful people,” noted Julie Braungart-Rieker, head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “She has been doing this work for over 40 years and has no intentions of stopping anytime soon.” 

Planting seeds 

Girault was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado. Her grandfather was a dean at then Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado) where her parents eventually taught as well. In her formative years, she attended an elementary school that she notes was “ahead of its time.” 

“I attended a somewhat integrated elementary school and had classmates with disabilities,” said Girault. “Without realizing it, at the time there were seeds being planted for the future.” 

Her educational journey continued when Girault enrolled at CSU. She lived in Durward Hall her freshman year and took advantage of opportunities including a pledge to Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. “Because of all the family ties to UNC,” said Girault. “I wanted to go ‘away’ to school and Fort Collins, although only miles from Greeley, provided an opportunity to ‘go away to college’ while still being affordable for an in-state student.” 

Girault originally started out with social work as her major but switched to human development and family studies when she found it was more tailored to what she wanted to do while still human-centered. 

“I am an experiential learner, and I loved the opportunities I had to have practicum and volunteer experiences to augment classroom learning,” explained Girault. “I volunteered for Meals on Wheels as part of one of my classes, and my route included a woman who was incredibly kind but had a significant facial deformity. To this day I remember the impact it had on me to look beyond outward appearances to a person’s heart.” 

These experiences continued as she held an internship at Fort Collins High School during her senior year. Girault also credits her time in Greek Life as one that gave her a space to forge friendships, social support for academic growth and numerous opportunities to give back to the community. Girault credits these extracurricular activities as “life changing.” Her impressive resume grew as she was selected as a member of the PreView CSU staff in the spring of her senior year. This opportunity allowed her to spend the summer of 1979 sharing her love for CSU with incoming freshman as a part of orientation. 

“The academic track laid down a foundation of understanding and supported my broad interest in elevating the human condition,” shared Girault. “My Greek experience gave incredible opportunities for leadership growth, conflict resolution, social support, and appreciating differing views and life experiences. As a working student all four years at CSU, I valued my education all the more and learned to balance multiple demands.” 

Temporary support to lasting impact 

That same summer, Girault was invited by a CSU friend to work at a small institution in San Jose, California, for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities where she worked as a direct support professional.  

“This was not a path I had considered, but I felt impelled to go and the result of this decision changed the trajectory of my career,” said Girault.  

This “temporary” job extended into the next five years working at that institution. She held several positions and formed countless deep relationships with the people she provided support to and with fellow employees.  

A trip to Alaska in 1984 opened a new door for Girault in her journey. 

“I fell in love with Alaska’s beauty and once again felt impelled to move,” expressed Girault. “I applied at the organization I currently lead, Hope Community Resources, thinking I would only be here a year or so and that year has turned into a career spanning four decades.” 

She moved to Alaska with Chuck, now her husband, whom she originally met at her job in San Jose. She was hired as a resource specialist, when the organization was still known as Hope Cottages, and has served for 40 years in varying positions, currently as CEO. She found the large state with few services to be a place she could make a difference. “Alaska is a state where people are kind to each other,” she reflected.