Emelye Neff, a recent DU grad, spent her four years at DU working with high school students from Denver Public Schools as a Public Achievement (PA) coach.  During her time with PA Emelye helped to coach and guide over 100 high school students through identifying community issues that mattered to them and developing strategic community projects to address those issues in their communities.   

In Emelye’s words, “PA is a chance to live outside the DU bubble and to build strong, powerful relationships with young people thirsting for truth, justice and freedom…I can’t get enough of if it. The changes on an individual and group level are tangible and beautiful.  I feel like I’m making a difference and am the recipient of change as much as an agent of change.”

The Public Achievement program continues to partner with Denver schools to build power and agency in young people to improve our communities.