Jenni Zarate, outstanding graduate from the Colorado State University Department of Human Development and Family Studies, found her passion in her major, fueling her determination not to give up on the journey to earning her degree.  

 Zarate grew up in Commerce City, Colorado, but with strong roots in Michoacan, Mexico. She came to CSU because she knew she wanted to pursue higher education and she touted CSU’s financial aid assistance as a plus.  

 “Luckily, I was able to obtain a full ride with various scholarships,” said Zarate. 

 Overcoming challenges 

As a first-generation student with immigrant parents, Zarate struggled with feeling lost, misunderstood, and out of place during her college experience. “Combining these feelings with outside circumstances such as grieving lost loved ones, dealing with my mom’s immigration status, and mental health issues were definitely big obstacles I had to tackle to get to graduation,” she said. 

 Luckily, she found support. “My professors, mentors, and advisers were a huge help in overcoming these obstacles,” she said. “Thanks to their advice, patience, and understanding, I was able to have confidence in myself and believe that I was worthy of making it to the end.” 

 Zarate cites faculty member Allyson Brothers, who was her professor for several courses in her human development and family studies major, and her adviser Katie Ditter, as supports for her. “Both of these people really took the time to understand my situation a little better and show compassion towards me when helping me navigate challenges throughout my college career,” she said. 

 Community involvement 

While at CSU, Zarate was involved in both volunteering and work experiences. She volunteered with CSU’s Alliance Partnership program as a summer camp mentor as well as the Reach Out program, both part of CSU’s Access Center. She also volunteered with the Food Bank for Larimer County. In addition, she was employed at the Boys and Girls Club for a few years.  

 “Through these experiences, I have been able to find my passion in the human development and family studies major and understand the importance of higher education!” she said. “All of these experiences really helped me get to know the Fort Collins community better which made me start to feel like I was truly a part of this community.” 

 Zarate says what she will miss most about CSU is the community of first-generation Latinas that she has found and the food from the Foundry. Maybe not for long, though. After graduation, she plans on continuing her journey as a behavior coach and coming back to CSU for her master’s degree in the near future. 

 First, though, she will savor her outstanding accomplishments and her resilience in earning her bachelor’s degree. “Something that I am most proud of during my time at CSU is that I kept showing up. Despite how badly I wanted to quit I kept coming back, and proved to myself that I could do it,” she said. 

 The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.