Staff and Executive Board
CU GOLD is run by professional and student staff, as well as a volunteer base of students who sit on the CU GOLD Executive Board. The Executive Board is instrumental in planning, implementing and facilitating all CU GOLD events and programs.
Do you want to improve your leadership skills and help run the Center for Student Involvement’s leadership development organization? If you have completed the CU GOLD Core Leadership Program, you are eligible to apply! For more information and an application, email cugold@colorado.edu.
Michel Jajour
Director
Majors: Neuroscience, Pre-Health
Minors: Spanish, Sports Media, Biochemistry
Certification: Spanish for the Healthcare Professions
Hometown: Lone Tree, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
My favorite hobby in the world is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Besides that, I love Muay Thai, weightlifting, playing guitar and graphic design.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part of CU GOLD is the continuous learning opportunities to grow as a leader! I know there is still so much I can learn about leadership, and I love that CU GOLD gives me the opportunity to keep learning and growing.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I want to go to medical school and become a surgeon. And a good surgeon needs to be a strong leader.
“Love and care! Thanks, and appreciate y’all! 😀”
Patrick Simpson
Assistant Director
Major: Neuroscience, Psychology
Minor: Biochemistry
Hometown: Superior, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, wilderness medicine and guitar.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
CU GOLD is the only environment in which I connect with intelligent and inspiring individuals from a variety of unique backgrounds focused solely on leadership development, a skill most of us learn passively through a leadership position.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I aspire to find a home in medicine and clinical research working to find innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes!
“Come join CU GOLD!”
Josh Smith
Head Facilitator
Major:BiomedicalEngineering
Minors:BusinessandBiochemistry
Hometown:GrantsPass,OR
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Hiking up mountains, skiing down mountains, playing piano (not on mountains), reading/listening to good books and exercising. Aspiring kayaker after Patrick's insistence.
WhatisyourfavoritepartaboutCUGOLD?
I was surprised when CU GOLD turned out to be not only a fun way to develop leadership abilities but also a tight-knit group of open-minded people who I look forward to seeing every week. It’s a great way to strengthen a productive mindset while making friends who are just as committed as you to grow themselves as individuals.
Whatdoyouplantodoonceyou graduate?
I’ll (hopefully) be off to medical school while continuing my engineering education to advance the field of medicine. Hopefully still facilitating in another setting!
Brittany Phan
ALPFacilitator
Major: Integrative Physiology and Public Health
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Ft. Collins, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Lifting, cooking/baking, and spending time with friends!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The community! Seeing people gain new perspectives from one another and cultivate an environment that fosters individual and community growth has been one of the greatest privileges for me here at CU GOLD. Equally, the people I have the honor of knowing and learning from challenge me to grow as both a person and a leader.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Medical school to become an oncologist! But, most importantly, I plan to travel around and save the world before that. ;)
Josephine Orona
ALPFacilitator
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; Public Health
Hometown: Erie, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Oil painting, playing tennis, watching anime, modeling and being with my friends!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I love being around people who want the same out of the world and each other. They all want to do their part to help others.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I want to do something with vaccines or something going towards the healing process of organisms like chemotherapy or antibiotics! I also plan on perusing my modeling career further and explore the arts!
“No matter how much or how often people hurt each other, loving someone is never a waste.”
Tara McDaniel
CLP Facilitator
Major: Psychology
Minor: Art
Hometown: Littleton, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love cooking, anime, late night drives, and ceramics!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The community is unlike anything else, I have grown so much being apart of this program. I will never forget it, I will carry these memories with me forever.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Go to grad school and go for my Clinical Psychology Doctorate.
Donya Raeouf
CLP Facilitator
First Year JD Candidate
Hometown: Greenwood Village, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Ilove tosing,dance,and write!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The lasting connections and memories I’ve made over the years
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
BecomeapracticingAttorney!
Alan Chen
CLP Facilitator
Majors: Biochemistry and Public Health
Minors: Leadership Studies and International Affairs
Hometown: Naperville, IL
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Armature radio, 3d print/modeling, video games and Humans vs Zombies.
What is your favorite part of CU GOLD?
The community.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Go to grad school for my Masters in Public Health (epidemiology) then work in the field, then go back to school to get my DrPH.
Sam Patten
CLPFacilitator
Major: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Minors: Chinese, Public Health
Hometown: Aurora, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love hiking, weightlifting, painting, paddleboarding, and hanging out with my dogs!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The welcoming community that allows everyone to not only feel accepted but also appreciated for who they are. I love that the community emphasizes growth and continuously pushes me to be my best self and the best leader I can be!
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to continue pursuing my passion for science and medicine by attending medical school and being involved in clinical research.
Ben Weiss
HeadAlumniSpecialist
Majors: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Minor: Computational Biology
Hometown: Pacific Palisades, CA
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
In my free time I always love a good outdoor adventure, whether that be mountain biking, snowboarding, climbing or the occasional sunrise hike. Beyond that, I am a huge science nerd who plays guitar and enjoys philosophical conversations with friends.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
Gosh, so many things. Every member of this community is here to develop themselves and improve their capacity to support others. That shared goal is made apparent through the vulnerability, interdependence, grit, and compassion that defines the success of our program. It is truly a privilege to learn from and grow with such an authentic and inspiring group of leaders.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I look forward to diving deeper into my research career and working on developing initiatives to help support a world where adolescent brain health is a community priority. Whether that looks like a gap year or jumping straight into grad school, I have yet to figure out.
Will Conway
FacilitatorDevelopmentSpecialist
Major: Biochemistry and Political Science
Certifications: Peace,Conflict,andSecurity
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Fishing, basketball, tennis and going on adventures with my friends.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The ability to make deep, long-lasting connections with people in such a short time. The program teaches you so much about how to connect with people and I’ll always be grateful for that!
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Iwant togotolawschoolandbecomeapatent lawyer!
RufusThompson
FacilitatorDevelopmentSpecialist
Major: InvestmentFinance
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Broomfield, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Love working out, reading, and exploring nature
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The community is incredibly tight knit, and what you learn in CU Gold becomes life lessons you can carry onto all aspects of your life, because leadership is prevalent everywhere.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to keep running my business (maybe more) and explore the world of entrepreneurship.
Emily Sandersen
FacilitatorDevelopmentSpecialist
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Loveland, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love to go country line and swing dancing, gardening, cooking, an spending time with friends and family!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I love the fact that CU gold is there to teach you how to better yourself and the world around you while also making beautiful lifelong connections with the people within the Gold community.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
After my time at CU I plan to take a gap year to travel the world and prepare for my next step of hopefully making it into Anschutz Medical campus to further my medical career and help others in need.
Ben McDowell
Head Marketer
Major: Finance
Minor: Leadership
Hometown: Aurora, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Whenever I have time, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family. I love Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, folkstyle wrestling and working out!
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part about CU GOLD has got to be the community. The people you get to meet and better your leadership skills is so worth it. It’s so much fun when you get to be in a community that cares for each individual and teaches everyone leadership through different backgrounds.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to get a job, travel and enjoy life!
Della Bonigut
MarketingSpecialist
Major:Economics
Minors:BusinessandSpanish
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love skiing, camping, and really anything that lets me spend time with my friends outside. I am also someone who can never say no to a road trip, and I spend a ton of time at the Boulder Humane Society.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
The community CU GOLD provided me is something I will carry with me forever. I am always so excited to create and expand the community every semester.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I am planning on getting my master's degree and then hopefully working abroad for a while, continuing to travel and explore.
Jamin Argue
MarketingSpecialist
Major:Biochemistry
Minor:Chemistry
Certification:EMT
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Playing jazz piano, videogames, gardening, going to the gym, and hiking. I'm interested in pharmacology, molecular biology, leadership, emergency medicine, music, and personal health.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
Playing jazz piano, videogames, gardening, going to the gym, and hiking. I'm interested in pharmacology, molecular biology, leadership, emergency medicine, music, and personal health.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan on applying to medical school and becoming a doctor.
Olivia George
MarketingSpecialist
Major:PES/AerospaceEngineering
Minor:Chinese
Hometown: QueenCreek,AZ
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love to be outdoors! Hiking, swimming, going to the creek, any and all of the above! My biggest interest is space. I could talk about space for days.
What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I am in love with the community that GOLD brings. I made my best friends from this club, and I love that everyone has so much potential; everyone is so caring and thoughtful, I couldn't surround myself with better people.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I hope to one day work for NASA! I want to help uncover the secrets about the universe and try to understand what we don't know.