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People of MSU Denver

Arrivals and Departures: October and November 2025 

Help welcome new colleagues and bid farewell to those moving on to new opportunities.

Welcome writing in lightbox lying on wooden desk with office supply and coffee cup as flat lay from bird's eye view

October Arrivals 

Name Department Job Title 
Laura Velapoldi Office of Equal Opportunity Case manager and deputy ADA/504 coordinator 
Joseph Bonney Student Success Program Interim exploratory advisor 
Eli Nygren Advanced Manufacturing Institute Industry lab coordinator 
Debbie Molis Office of the Controller Bond accountant 
Oliver Luckett Computer Information Systems Academic advisor II 
Jeremy Romero II Student Accounts and Bus Services Third-party billing specialist 
Eliana Horenstein Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Health career navigator, Health Institute 
Hanna Blount Capital Projects — ITS Financial Aid systems project manager 
Joshua Evans Philosophy Affiliate faculty 
Jessica Newsome Office of Education Solutions Academic coordinator — inclusive higher education solutions 
Mike Marquez Center for Individualized Learning Outreach and program specialist 
Tim Hernandez Chicana/o Studies Affiliate faculty 
Joanah Grizel Santos Cruz Social Work Affiliate faculty 
Steven Martingano Criminal Justice & Criminology Affiliate faculty  

October Departures

Name Department Job Title 
Hanna Swift Bird Nutrition Master’s Program Advising and retention coordinator 
Alex Puente Orientation COSI reengagement navigator 
Alyse Matteson University Communications and Marketing Assistant director of internal communications 
Pam Colbert University Advancement Midlevel gift officer 
Maria I. Magallanes Elementary Education Lecturer of Elementary Education 
Marivel Leija School of Education Student services and recruitment coordinator 
Janine Michelle Weaver-Douglas Center for Multicultural Excellence Associate director of Black/African student engagement and success 
Claire Ashton Office of Education Solutions Inclusion coordinator, inclusive higher education solutions 
Jeremy Romero II Student Accounts & Bus Services Third-party billing specialist  

November Arrivals 

Name Department Job Title 
Yaz Rivera Behavioral Health Addiction — Master’s Program Internship coordinator 
Michelle Guney Classroom to Career Initiatives  Industry navigator — bioscience, food, agriculture and natural resources 
Shannon McGrath Nursing Affiliate faculty 
Allen Edward Tordecillas School of Education Interim student services and recruitment coordinator 
Emily Hirsch Accessibility Services Accessibility coordinator 
Lesley Colwell Office of University Events Associate director of university events 

November Departures

Name Department Job Title 
Susan Upton Department of Facilities  Project manager 
Vicky Tuakoi Counseling Center Office Staff psychotherapist 
Brianny Morrison College of Business First-year outreach and retention specialist 
Nicholas Hoffman Center for Teaching, Learning and Design Instructional design support specialist II 
James Mejia Strategy Chief strategy officer 
Shannon McGrath Nursing Affiliate faculty 
Sara Francisco Office of the Controller Bank reconciliation accountant 
Carolina Avila Student Success Program Exploratory advisor 
Stefanie Benton Nursing Affiliate faculty 
Chad Ashton Athletics Assistant coach, Women’s Soccer 
Bryana Ziegler Social Work Affiliate faculty 
Elizabeth Simonton Center for Math, Science and EE Specialist, administrative 
Lawrence Linnen Mathematics and Statistics Affiliate faculty 
Lynn Wismann World Languages Affiliate Faculty