For DSF Alumna Xochitl Ramirez Amaro, staying involved with DSF even after graduating Colorado State University (CSU) was a no-brainer. When looking at her college experience and her current career, Xochitl says that DSF contributed to a lot of different aspects of her success. She wanted to continue to be part of the DSF community that was such a large part of her education journey, which is why she joined the Alumni Advisory Committee, took part in the DSF Mentorship Program, and is a member of the DSF Marketing and Communications Committee.
From High School, to College, and Beyond
Xochitl graduated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College in 2015 and enrolled in CSU to study social work and communications studies. She graduated CSU in 2020, which was difficult due to the pandemic. Xochitl says that the comforting piece of graduating in 2020 was that everyone was going through a lot of changes – graduation, a global pandemic, an unknown job market – together.
DSF Scholar Xochitl at her alma mater, CSU
As a first-generation college student, the DSF Future Center at her high school was crucial to her enrolling at CSU. Her advisor at the time, Jasmine, made sure that the college application process was accessible and easy to understand. Xochitl connected with Jasmine during her senior year of high school and says that if it wasn’t for DSF and the Future Center, she isn’t sure how she would have applied to college. Xochitl continued to reach out to Jasmine even in college and is grateful for the relationship that was so critical to her education journey.
Xochitl knew she wanted to go to college, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to study. She was very open-minded and interested in so many topics. After taking a Communications in Pop Culture class, Xochitl decided to declare communications as one of her majors. She also took an introductory class to social work and fell in love with the topic. Putting these two majors together opened Xochitl’s eyes to everything she could do with a college degree.
As an outreach coordinator at STRIVE Prep, Xochitl manages advocacy and family engagement, something she is passionate about, especially when she is working in the community she grew up in. Xochitl strives to be the best advocate she can be for STRIVE Prep’s students and their families. She also supports individual schools and their initiatives, and has a unique perspective as someone who works closely with high school students. Not only are her two areas of study at CSU great experience for this job, but Xochitl also worked at CSU’s career center. She says that her job during college gave her many tools and skills that are needed to feel confident in networking and doing outreach in the community.
Staying Involved with DSF
For Xochitl, it has been a priority to continue to be part of the DSF community. She wants to give back to the collaborative opportunities that she experienced as a DSF Scholar and make an impact on current college students who are planning to enter careers. Being a part of the DSF Marketing and Communications Committee helps her make an even bigger impact, elevating the voices of the DSF community she represents.
“I’ve seen and experienced DSF’s services from all of the different levels – in high school at the Future Center, in college, and now as an Alumna,” says Xochitl. “I’m now able to offer my insight and what I have learned with a communications lens, and am excited to be a member of the committee, sharing ideas that could help another person that was in a similar situation I was in.” Xochitl offers insights on brand awareness, event communication, visibility efforts in high schools and colleges, and so much more.
As for college-related advice Xochitl would give to a first-year DSF Scholar, she says “tell fear no and ask lots of questions.” As a DSF Scholar and Alumna, Xochitl took on and continues to be involved in the many opportunities life offers and encourages other students to do the same.
