As our office name suggests, we are a collaboration of people and efforts that support community engagement on and off campus. We see our intern team as a cooperative or "co-op" of students who work toward a common purpose or benefit through a jointly-owned and democratically managed enterprise. In the business world, a cooperative is a way for people to meet their own needs through a company that is owned and operated by the people who use its products and services. The CCE's student intern team is the structure through which students can guide, direct, and take joint ownership of the work of the CCE. Our goal is to equitably share voice, power, decision-making, and meaning-making of our office with students.

The Intern Team

Student Director of the Bonner Fellowship

Grace Nguyen
Email: g_nguyen@ColoradoCollege.edu

Major: Neuroscience

Bio: Hi! My name is Grace Nguyen, and I’m the Student Director of the Bonner Fellowship out of the CCE! I’m currently a senior, majoring in neuroscience and on the pre-med track. I’m born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and love my home state! I love to hike, paddle board, camp, and explore Colorado’s coffee shops! I’m passionate about equitable healthcare and women's and children’s health and rights.

Student Director of Student Engagement

Dhvani Patel

Email: d_patel2024@ColoradoCollege.edu

Major: Biochemistry

Bio: I'm a sophomore biochemistry major who plans on going into the medical field. My favorite color is yellow, I like birds, and my hometown,  Columbia, TN, is where part of the Hannah Montana movie was filmed. As the student director of engagement, I’ll be helping with the Community Engaged Scholars Program and the CCE-advised student organizations.

Co-Director of BreakOut

Simone Colburn
Email: s_colburn2023@ColoradoCollege.edu

Major: Southwest Studies

Bio: I'm a junior majoring in Southwest Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies. I love cooking new recipes, going on adventures, and am always looking for good book recommendations!

Co-Director of BreakOut

Ella Yolen
Email: e_yolen@ColoradoCollege.edu

Major: Neuroscience

Bio: Hi! My name is Ella Yolen, and I am one of the student co-directors of BreakOut. I'm a senior neuroscience major, and in my free time, I love to rock climb!

Student Director of Communications

Clara Vega Rodriguez
Email: c_vegarodriguez2025@coloradocollege.edu

Major: Undeclared

Bio: My name is Clara, and I’m a freshman. I grew up in Spain, and later attended boarding school in Tanzania. I plan to major in Political Science and am considering the pre-law track. Outside of academics, I love reading, hiking, and traveling, and I’m always up for trying new things. I’m really excited to be part of the CCE and can’t wait to continue connecting students with the Colorado Springs community. If you ever see me around, come say hi. I’d love to help in any way I can.

Student Director of CC Votes

Ady Bolinger

Email: A_bolinger@coloradocollege.edu

Bio: Hi, I’m Ady! I’m a massive political science nerd from Claremont, California. In my free time you can find me crafting outdoors in a sunny spot, listening to an absurd amount of podcasts, or cooking a new recipe for my loved ones! Through CC Votes’ registration, education, and community engagement efforts, I aim to get students informed and inspired to participate in the electoral process. I hope to bring joy and lightness to the doom and darkness felt in politics today through my work with CC Votes. Please reach out to me personally — or through the CC Votes email — if you’re interested in volunteering, events, or have any questions! ccvotes@coloradocollege.edu