The annual celebration and fundraiser for the Karen Possehl Wayfinder Endowment (KPWE) Scholarship took place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 5-7 p.m., in Berger Hall on the UCCS campus.
Each year, more than 25 students are awarded the KPWE scholarship. KPWE recipients are individuals who have overcome challenges and are beginning or resuming their educational path later in life.
Beyond offering financial support, KPWE empowers students by providing mentorship, interactive workshops, and professional development opportunities.
“The award is more than a scholarship,” said Lee Ingalls Noble, chair of the KPWE advisory board. “I’ve witnessed first-hand how this scholarship positively impacts the recipient but beyond that – their families are transformed for the better because the scholar gained confidence and received the support they needed to pursue and accomplish their dreams.”
This year’s event recognized the 2025 graduating scholars and celebrated Barb Winter as the 2025 Unstoppable Leader.
“Barb Winter is a dynamic changemaker in the community,” said Jennifer Sobanet, Chancellor of UCCS. “She has served as a leader or board member for many local organizations, providing inspired expertise and vision. She continues to be a champion of UCCS through her involvement with the Ent Center for the Arts, the Chancellor’s Leadership Class Scholarship and as a CU Trustee. We were thrilled to recognize Barb as the 2025 Unstoppable Leader.”
During the event, attendees listened to remarks from Karen Possehl, UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet and others. They also learned about the scholarship’s expansion which will allow more students to benefit from the KPWE program in the fall. The celebration continued with the graduating scholars being recognized and honored for their achievements.
The KPWE 2025 graduates, earning degrees in fields from education and business to engineering, environmental studies and others, overcame obstacles and challenges along their journey — but through resilience and determination, they made it happen and achieved their dreams. The KPWE scholarship program proudly celebrates an undergraduate graduation rate of 95 percent.
A special moment included Barb Winter being honored by a panel of close friends. The group shared heartfelt stories of their friendship and spoke about Barb’s inspiring leadership as a dedicated community leader.
The KPWE scholarship is a $6,000 award, and thanks to community support, the program endowed in 1998 by Karen and Jim Possehl continues to positively transform scholars’ lives.
Watch the KPWE 2025 scholar video here and to make a gift to this transformational scholarship program, please click here.
About Barb Winter
Barb Winter is a retired executive from Ent Credit Union who remains active within the community. She has been involved as a board member with several organizations including Executive Women International, Goodwill of Colorado, Silver Key Senior Services, Penrose-St. Francis Hospital and Foundation, Pikes Peak United Way, and Pikes Peak YMCA. She currently serves on the Southern Colorado Children’s Hospital Advisory Committee, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Foundation, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Embrave, Pikes Peak Community Foundation, Manitou Springs Urban Renewal Authority, 2C Road Committee and the Citizens Advisory to the PPRTA board. Barb has served as an advisory board member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class at UCCS for more than 18 years and served on the formative advisory committee of the Ent Center for the Arts. She also serves as a Trustee and board member of the CU Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University.
About the KPWE Scholarship
The Karen Possehl Wayfinder Endowment Scholarship (KPWE) established in 1998 by Karen and Jim Possehl, provides financial assistance and mentor support for nontraditional UCCS students who are starting or returning to college after having overcome significant personal adversity. In addition to providing tuition assistance, the KPWE Scholarship matches scholars with community mentors who offer encouragement and professional contacts. The program provides career-focused workshops giving students the chance to gain skills outside of the classroom. Since the program’s inception, more than 200 KPWE scholars have graduated from UCCS. For more information on the scholarship program, visit kpwe.uccs.edu.