Program Adviser, Puksta Scholars • Executive Director, Empowerment Center of East County
CU Engage | School of Education

Elaina Verveer has more than 17 years of experience in the fields of youth leadership, program and curriculum development, and service learning. In addition to being a Puksta Adviser, Elaina serves as a consultant for several community-based agencies and oversees the Lafayette Youth Advisory Committee, which she co-founded with the City of Lafayette in 2006. Previously, Elaina served as the Interim Director of Naropa University’s Community Studies Center, where she also taught civic engagement courses. She also served as a Program Director and Curriculum Consultant for Colorado Campus Compact and Program Director for Project YES, an arts-based, service-learning non-profit agency. Outside of Colorado, Elaina promoted national service programming at the Corporation for National & Community Service in Washington, DC, as well as served as Special Assistant to the Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in France, where she developed bilateral initiatives with French and American businesses, museums, and municipalities. Elaina currently serves on the National Council of the American Commonwealth Partnership, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including 2010 Colorado Civic Leader of the Year by the Governor’s Commission on Community Service.