Our next Alumni in the spotlight is Wendy! She graduated from Central in 2013 and now works as the Donor Relations Coordinator at UNC! We are immensely proud of everything Wendy has accomplished so far, and we cannot wait to see what’s up next!
High School Attended: Greeley Central High School Class of 2013
Institution Attended: University of Northern Colorado
Fields of Study: Bachelor of Science in Human Services with minors in Spanish and Sociology
What are you up to now that you’ve earned your degree?
After college, I worked for a dealership and then a business development company. In these companies, I gained a lot of leadership skills during my roles as team lead and manager. After a total of 6 years working in the dealership industry, I decided it was time to try something new. I wanted to build my resume and use my skills in a new setting. I was not sure what I wanted to do; there were so many different careers that my degree could take me to. The one thing I did know was that I really wanted to be back on the UNC campus, so I decided to apply for the position of University Advancement Assistant. During this time, I gained so much knowledge about UNC and the advancement division. After about a year, I knew I loved what this division does, so I decided to take on a new role with the development team at UNC. As of this January 2023, I am the Donor Relations Coordinator at UNC. I get to work with an amazing group of people as well as with our generous donors, and most importantly, I get to see the impact that is made on a student’s life thanks to our donors and the amazing work that our staff and faculty do.
What’s the best thing that has happened to you since being out of school?
This is a tough question – there have been so many amazing things that have happened since graduating high school, both personal and professional. I think the biggest thing for me was being able to attend college and make meaningful connections with so many great people of different backgrounds, cultures, ideas, etc. College helped me get out of my shell a lot, allowing me to obtain those leadership roles which have ultimately led me to where I am today. College opened so many doors for me, and I am so grateful for that.
What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next three years?
Professionally, in the next three years, I want to master my new role. I want to be able to do my work effectively and as flawlessly as possible while implementing new ideas as well. In my personal life, I want to travel more and continue enjoying life.
What aspect of being in the Dream Team has stuck with you?
Dream Team helped me feel like I was always meant to be in the room. They made sure that I, as a first-generation Latina, knew that I was capable of attending college and becoming a professional. One person that has stuck with me is my Advisor, Flora Powells, who ended up working for CHE at UNC while I was also a student at UNC. Flora was the friendly face and encouragement I needed during my first few semesters of navigating college. I will forever be grateful for her dedication and passion to help us become successful.
What are your goals for the future, and what goals have you achieved?
My goal was to attend and graduate college and make my parents proud. I was able to accomplish that goal and am now motivated to help my brother and sister in any way that I can as they continue their own education.
My goals for the future include furthering my education by taking more classes at UNC, building my skill set, succeeding in my profession, enjoying all the time with my dog and loved ones, and traveling all over the world.
What is one of your favorite memories of the Dream Team?
My favorite memories of the Dream Team were those when we interacted with students from all over the district. I made some great friends and was also able to spend a lot of time with my best friends in this setting. These friends are still in my life today, and from time to time, we talk about the impact that the Dream Team had on our life.
What is one piece of advice you would give a Dream Team student who has just graduated high school?
Enjoy whatever stage of life you are currently in without stressing too much about the past or the future. Enjoy your time in college, and don’t stress too much about your future because a lot of times, the things you plan to do after graduation don’t happen exactly how you want them to, and that is okay. Instead, enjoy the time you have in college, make new friends, join all the clubs, attend the events, gain the knowledge, and then see where these experiences will take you.
