At age 22, self-described Chicana activist Candi CdeBaca has not only earned her Bachelor's degree, she's simultaneously completed the first year of her MSW. And the non-profit organization she co-founded two years ago is thriving.
Born and raised in Denver's inner city, CdeBaca is one of the first University of Denver students to enroll in the new Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Degree program. This program allows highly qualified DU students to combine a Bachelor's degree in any field with an MSW degree, graduating with both degrees in five years.
"My undergraduate major is sociology, and my minor is urban studies," says CdeBaca. "That's perfect preparation for social work, and social work values also fit very well with my own."
Taking action
When Denver's Manual High School was closed in 2004 due to poor academic performance, some of its former students were disappointed by the role they were allowed to play in developing the school's plans for renewal and reform. CdeBaca, Manual's 2004 valedictorian, took action. She co-founded Project VOYCE (Voices of Youth Changing Education), a non-profit organization whose mission is "to make youth voice real in school renewal to improve student achievement through action research, leadership development, and community partnerships."
Project VOYCE works with youth from 13 to 22. "We teach them to build coalitions," CdeBaca explains. "They learn to identify projects and tackle them, using the leadership skills we help them develop."
Eyeing the future
A coalition-builder herself, CdeBaca helped attract financial support for Project VOYCE from a number of highly regarded community foundations. "I have a lot to contribute to class discussions because of that experience," she says.
Not surprisingly, given her stellar leadership credentials, CdeBaca chose the community practice concentration for her second year at GSSW. And she's already set her sights on a career in law, perhaps as a civil rights or immigration attorney.
Meanwhile, her grandmother -- a fan of the old TV show "Judging Amy" -- is thrilled with CdeBaca's future plans. "That show about the judge and the social worker -- you are both!" she says with pride.
