2021-2022 C+V Graduate Fellows
Hibah Ahmad is a second-year graduate student in the Media and Public Communication Program at DU. She graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in public health from Saint Louis University. She then spent post-graduation utilizing her public health background in helping physicians, students, and children. Hibah's jobs have taken her all over the United States and given her countless experiences she is extremely grateful for. In her free time, you can find her reading, baking, painting, or blasting Taylor Swift. She is excited to be a part of the Community + Values Initiative!
Andrea Hernandez Perez is incredibly excited to be working in a fellowship position as a member of C+V. She comes from Mexican parents but was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She recently received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver and is now working on receiving her Master of Arts at DU. For her BA, she studied Communication, Spanish, Mandarin, and Leadership. Andrea's MA will be in International and Intercultural Communication. She has held past positions as a teacher's assistant at Horizons Summer program and as a student assistant at the Access and Transitions office. Her favorite hobbies include learning new languages, creating art, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family, whom she loves very much. She hopes to make an impact as a member of C+V and can’t wait to see what graduate school has in store for her.
Damien J. Hightower (DJ) is in the MA in Higher Education Program. DJ grew up in Colorado Springs with a family of 7 (3 brothers and 1 sister). After graduating from Widefield High School, he went on to earn a BS in Justice Studies from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. DJ accepted his commission as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps in 2015 and separated the service as Captain in March 2020. Currently, DJ is in his 2nd year of the MA in Higher Education program at DU, and he also works in Student Outreach & Support (SOS).
Ryan Rose is an alum of the University of Denver with a master’s in Strategic Communications and Media Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. Ryan is currently working on his second master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Morgridge College of Education while student teaching 8th grade English Language Arts at Hill Middle School in Denver, CO. Ryan has dedicated his academic and professional career to empowering diverse communities and creating inclusive spaces for every identity. Ryan is excited to join the C+V team and work on creating community connections and provide individuals a sense of belonging at DU.