Staff and Executive Board
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD is run by professional and student staff, as well as a volunteer base of students who sit on the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD Executive Board. The Executive Board is instrumental in planning, implementing and facilitating all ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ 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 ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD Core Leadership Program, you are eligible to apply! For more information and an application, email cugold@colorado.edu.
Keyla Gholipoursani
Program Director
Major: Sociology
Certificate: Social Innovations
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Taking a nice walk, art, having good conversations, listening to musicÌýand learning new things
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
My favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD is all the people I've met and had the pleasure to know. The people you surround yourself with fuel your days with fun and laughter but also teach you about yourself and the world. Getting to be part of this group has expanded my view and my capability while also giving me memories that will last forever!
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
There are so many possibilities... I want to take the time to explore them and see what's next.
Michel Jarjour
Assistant Director
Major: Neuroscience
Minors: Spanish, Sports Media
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 guitarÌýand graphic design.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
My favorite part of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD is the continuous learning opportunities to grow as a leader, even as a facilitator! I know there is still so much I can learn about leadership, and I love that ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ 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.
Harper Slezak
Head Facilitator
Major: English
Other: Secondary Education LicensureÌý
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Reading, writing, cookingÌýand the occasional soccer game
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
I love meeting new people and watching freshmen grow into strong leaders through the program. I have met good friends through being on the exec board and would highly recommend CLP/ALPÌýto any incoming freshman or upperclassmen who want to be involved.Ìý
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to teach high school English along with finishing my graduate degree. I want to eventually get my doctorate in English to become a professor at a university one day.Ìý
Johnny Serna
ALP Facilitator
Majors: Leadership and Community Engagement, Political Science
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love to play guitar, hike, snowboard, hang out with friends and enjoy everything Boulder has to offer.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
My favorite thing about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD is the retreat, as it allows us the opportunity to learn more about being leaders and creating connections amongst each other!
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
My goal is to stay in Boulder and pursue a career that will be productive for me in the future. I still have a long journey of education and experience ahead of me to obtain my goal of becoming a chancellor of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder one day.
Josh Smith
ALP Facilitator
Major: Biomedical EngineeringÌý
Minor: µþ³Ü²õ¾±²Ô±ð²õ²õÌý
Hometown: Grants Pass, OR
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Hiking and biking are daily adventures, and I'll always be up early for a Copper mountain pow day. When I'm home I like to play piano. Interstellar is my favorite movie and I've spent many hours on the keys trying to tackle its theme song.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
I was surprised when ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD turned out to be not only a fun way to develop my leadership abilitiesÌýbut also a tight-knit group of people who are very open-minded and who I look forward to seeing every week. It's a great way to grow a productive mindset while making several friends who are just as leadership-focused as you.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Meet cool people, build robot arms, save the world.
Patrick Simpson
CLP Facilitator
Major: Neuroscience, Psychology
Hometown: Superior, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
My favorite hobbies outside of academia are whitewater, rock climbing, backpackingÌýand playing guitar.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD allows its members access to an environment that explores the human complexities of leadership. It is through collaboration, discussion and education that ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD stimulates the journey of growing leaders. This community has connected me with passionate, diverse individuals with new perspectives and styles of leadership. Leadership is fundamentally about leading diverse teams of people. ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD emphasizes this fact every day to produce individuals who are attentive to fostering a well-functioning team!Ìý
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
After graduation I plan to apply to medical school, with the hope of putting my skills to use to help others on a daily basis.
Brittany Phan
CLP Facilitator
Major: Integrative Physiology
Certificate: Public Health
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Late-night drives, eating good food and spending time with friends.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
My favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD is that it’s a safe space for students to learn from others and cultivate their leadership skills. Equally, I love that ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD creates an inclusive environment for like-minded people to grow together and develop strong connections.Ìý
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
My plans are still up in the air of what exactly I want to do after I graduate, but I’m thinking of going to grad school to pursue medicine.Ìý
Della Bonigut
Marketing Specialist
Major: Economics
Minor: Spanish and Business
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love spending time outside; whether it’s hiking, camping or skiing, I’m always up for it. I also enjoy volunteering at the Boulder Humane Society and playing cards with my friends.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
My favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Gold is the community. This program has created an amazing environment, and I have made friends here who are truly great people. Everyone is so welcoming, and I have been able to learn and grow in all aspects of my life.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to continue my education and work towards getting an MBA, from there, I hope to work somewhere abroad (hopefully Spanish-speaking) and just explore as much as possible.
Dylan Dodds
Marketing Specialist
Major: Landscape Architecture
Hometown: Eagle, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy multiple artistic endeavors such as painting, drawing and model making. I am also in a dance troupe called Verve.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
The community at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Gold fosters friendship, connection and enhances the individual's worldview and perspective to be more inclusive and aware.Ìý
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
After school I plan on traveling, especially in Mexico, in order to become a tour guide for a couple years before delving into a career in landscape architecture.
Tara McDaniel
Marketing Specialist
Major: Psychology, Pre-health
Minor: Art
Hometown: Littleton, CO
What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I like to bake, play video games, spend time outdoors, make art, play guitar and weight lift.
What is your favorite part about ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ GOLD?
The community, as generic as that sounds, it is very important to have a healthy community. This program has a beautiful group of people who are the kindest group I’ve ever met.
What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I hope to go into clinical psychology. Hopefully in a psychiatric ward.