Staff and Executive Board

Sydney Armstrong

Program Director

Major: Integrative physiology
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Littleton, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love any type of activities outside like climbing, hiking, yoga and weightlifting. I also have a weak spot for a good movie.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part of CU GOLD is the deep connections you make almost immediately because you are surrounded by so many like minded and driven people trying to make a mark on this world which in my opinion is what makes CU GOLD so valuable for your future.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to apply to medical school after I graduate and work my way up to becoming a surgeon one day.

Keyla Gholipoursani

Assistant Program Director

Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Sociology
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Music, art, history

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part about CU GOLD is finding and working with people who are actively trying to make a difference in the world. CU GOLD believes everyone has the potential to be a leader and being part of this community encourages me to continue striving for my best.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I am not sure yet, I have lots of ideas and am using the time I have right now to explore them.

Ben O’Meara

Head Facilitator

Major: Neuroscience and psychology
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Littleton, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy a combination of outdoor activities and some nerdy things too. I am into rock climbing, skiing and back packing as well as keeping up with tennis. Additionally, I have a great time playing board games and party games. Plus I am a theater geek who especially loves improv.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I enjoy the wide variety of perspectives that are presented with CU GOLD through our team, participants and speakers. I appreciate that unique ways of thinking and novel ideas are embraced in the environment which hopefully results in improvement and growth. I also appreciate the hands-on activities and community that we have within CU GOLD.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I am hoping to go into clinical psychology, childhood therapy or cognitive research once I graduate. Honestly who knows, but I do know that I want to go into a field where I can connect with people individually and help.

Craig MacLaren-Swan

Facilitator

Major: Environmental studies
Minor: Business
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love snowboarding, lifting weights, riding motorcycles and playing guitar. Most of all though, I love my cat, Cosmo.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
CU GOLD has provided me the opportunity to meet some truly zealous and passionate personalities. I love the friends I’ve made so far! Estes Park was a particularly great outing and really strengthened those friendships. The CLP meetings were also a ton of fun!

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
After graduation, I’d like to pursue law school. With that, I want to be involved in facilitating environmental policies and helping companies improve environmental standards.

Harper Slezak

Facilitator

Major: English
Minor: Political science
Hometown: Ft. Collins, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy biking, reading, baking and cooking. I am at peace with music blaring in my ears while I am doing just about anything.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I have become quite invested in CU GOLD because I support our message and goals. I want to contribute something to the University of Colorado and this is an amazing way to do it. Just like the mentors before me, I want to help make an impact on the students during their leadership journey. Mentoring will help me build helpful leadership character.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
After I graduate, I plan to go on to law school or seek jobs in higher education. I am quite the opinionated person and I want to actually do something to change the flaws in our law and educational systems.

Sydney Patten

Facilitator

Major: Molecular, cellular and developmental biology
Minor: Business and Chinese
Hometown: Aurora, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
My dog Kiwi is my soulmate. I love to weightlift and go on walks. I am obsessed with Machine Gun Kelly, Amazon shopping and whatever else I am hyper-fixated on for the week.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I love the safe environment created among the individuals in this group to help push each other to be great leaders and people.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I plan to go to grad school for medicine or further my study in molecular and cellular biology.

Nico Capolungo

Facilitator

Major: Neuroscience and psychology
Hometown: Littleton, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Weightlifting and snowboarding

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
Being able to be a part of a club where you can learn and grow as a person, as well as being able to surround yourself with like-minded people and helping others learn, grow and giving back to the community

Michel Jarjour

Marketing Specialist

Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Spanish and sports media
Hometown: Lone Tree, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is my favorite sport and hobby by far, but recently I started Muay Thai and weightlifting. I also love to journal and play my guitar.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
I love that CU GOLD gives me the opportunity to stay connected to leadership, even after I graduated from high school and left all my previous programs/activities. CU GOLD allows me to learn more about how to be a better leader and keeps me connected to leadership, a skill I highly value.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Once I graduate, I plan to go to medical school. My ultimate goal is to become a surgeon.

Hannah Kijner

Marketing Specialist

Major:  Strategic communications
Minor: Business
Hometown: Malibu, CA

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I have a lot of hobbies and interests as I am always picking up something new. I love all things crafty whether it is painting, decorating my apartment, making Christmas ornaments or even tying ribbon on things. Outside of CU GOLD, I spend my time taking film pictures of my life as well as doing more professional photo shoots with ROAM. I also have a history of dancing so in my spare time I take dance classes at a local dance studio. And of course being in school in Colorado, I snowboard!

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part is the community! In CU GOLD, I have made so many new friendships that makes the campus just a little bit smaller and more comfortable. CU GOLD has provided me with a safe space where I am supported and pushed to be the best version of myself. I am so grateful to CU GOLD for giving me such a safe and welcoming place on campus!

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
I have no clue what I plan on doing after graduation and that is OK, but I have laid out my options. Plan A is to find a job I love in public relations. Plan B is to go to graduate school to further my education. And if all else fails, I will come up with a plan to travel the world for a few years.

DJ Park

Marketing Specialist

Major: Integrative physiology
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I am interested in pursuing a career in health care, and my hobbies include weightlifting and hiking.

What is your favorite part about CU GOLD?
My favorite part about CU GOLD is the opportunity to meet and collaborate with amazing new people and learn how.

What do you plan to do once you graduate?
Once I graduate, I will be working at a dental clinic and finishing up submitting applications to dental school.