The CU Government Relations Team welcomes MOSAIC Scholars Program. Pictured: Rebecca Massey, Maria Lewis, Sanjana Pandey, Jenifer Furda, Cristina Castro, Keaghan Short, Walat Gozeh, Bailey Parenteau, Alissa Beehler, Mariz Brown, Angelica Wright, Tia Paul, King Hayes, Xuan Truong, Eric Orbanus, Angela Rennick, Adam Burg
In a partnership between the MOSAIC Scholars Program (MSP) of UCCS and CU Government Relations, twelve MSP scholars were personally welcomed to the Colorado State Capitol on March 5 by members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, where they were given a glimpse into the inner workings of Colorado’s lawmaking bodies and the grand history of the State Capitol.
The MSP Program, led by Xuan Truong of the MOSAIC Office, collaborated with Jenifer Furda, Director of Partnerships and Governmental Affairs of UCCS; Angela Rennick, Senior Director of State Relations, and Rebecca Massey, Senior Advisor for State Relations and Public Policy, to cultivate an educational and rewarding day for the scholars including a personal seat on the floors of both the Senate and the House of Representatives during a live bill session and a personalized tour of the State Capitol.
The twelve MSP Scholars were given a standing ovation in the Senate by Senator Tony Exum who welcomed the program’s presence during their session. On the side of the House of Representatives, scholars were personally seated as guests of Colorado State Representative of House District 17, Regina English. She acted as both an intimate guide to the in-and-outs of a working day at the Capitol and a source of mentorship for all the scholars’ inquiries and curiosities.
Scholars were then led on a tour of the State Capitol where they learned much of the state’s rich history and the building’s unique architecture before ending their visit with a stunning blue-sky view of Denver from the Capitol’s dome.
With the trip’s conclusion, both scholars and organizers showed overwhelming positivity and gratitude for the time spent with Colorado’s governing officials with many scholars citing their happiness for the opportunity to connect their representatives.