Introducing the Wagner Family Civic Impact Initiative, A Brand-New Program Pairing Students with the Community Coming Fall 2026
Today, we are ecstatic to announce the kickoff of the Wagner Family Civic Impact Initiative pilot program, launching in Fall 2026 with a cohort of six outstanding students.
Designed to empower students to become catalysts for positive change, this immersive program bridges academic theory and civic action. This program supports highly motivated students to address complex civic challenges through community-informed projects. Students are equipped to bridge leadership theory with practice, utilizing their unique skills and interests to create sustainable, valuable projects that bring lasting impact to communities.
Over the past spring and summer, our team conducted extensive benchmarking research, met with programming partners across CU Boulder and the Denver-metro higher-education community, and established a campus-wide working group of directors to ensure this program delivers deep, mutual value to both CU Boulder and our broader community.
Interested in learning more about the donation that made this program possible? Read more here.
Program Overview
Ethical, mutually beneficial civic engagement is at the heart of the Wagner Initiative. To uplift community voices, we invited community partners to identify priority needs within their organizations. Students then will co-create and collaborate directly with these partners to ideate, propose, and implement innovative, sustainable solutions together. What makes this program special is that students bring their unique perspectives, creativity, and innovation to address these priorities.
Throughout the year, student scholars will receive dedicated resources to ensure their success — including funding, mentorship, and hands-on leadership practice. By partnering with local governments, nonprofits, and small businesses, students gain real-world experience while delivering meaningful results to the Boulder community.
The program will run from the beginning of Fall to the end of the Spring semester.
Program Objectives: The goal of this program is to… |
Guide students through developing an asset-based solution to a community-raised priority |
Cultivate civic awareness and help students develop an ethical civic engagement mindset |
Coach leadership skills and frameworks to address real, community-identified priorities |
Guide students in developing and delivering a formal proposal, implementation plan, monthly progress reports, and a final presentation |
Strengthen relationships between CU Boulder and the Boulder community |
Student Outcomes: At the end of this program, students will be able to… | Community Partner Outcomes: At the end of this program, community partners will have received… |
Build their confidence in articulating career and leadership goals while strengthening communication, networking, and interpersonal skills | Highly motivated students guided by CU Boulder academics, advisors, and the Center for Leadership focused on building a thoughtful project to address a community-raised priority |
Develop practical leadership and project management skills through hands-on ideation, critical thinking, and project implementation | Participation in mentoring the next generation of leaders and opportunities to identify potential future employees |
Deepen their sense of belonging and contribution within the Boulder community through direct partnerships with local organizations | A relationship with CU Boulder that could result in other partnerships |
Foster a commitment to ethical community involvement and responsible civic leadership | Funding potential for the student’s work and project through the Center for Leadership |
Who is eligible to participate in the Wagner Family Civic Impact Initiative?
Students: The prerequisite to apply to this program is the Center for Leadership’s Newton Fellowship Program. Ideal candidates are those who want to lead sustainable, collaborative projects that create civic impact in the Bouder Community.
Community Partners: Local government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses interested in hosting a scholar, partnering on a project, and serving as a co-educator are encouraged to connect with us.
2026-2027 Wagner Civic Impact Initiative Cohort
We are proud to partner with exceptional local organizations for our inaugural year, including:
The Sundance Film Festival, CU Boulder’s collaborative Sustainability Initiative
Boulder Farmer’s Markets
City of Boulder, Climate Initiatives and Communications and Engagement Departments
City of Boulder, Parks and Recreation
Boulder Police Department
Calvin Hawks
Majors: Computer Science and Creative Design & Technology
LeadershipProgram: Engineering Leadership Program
Marissa Khan
Major: Integrated Design Engineering with a Mechanical Emphasis
Minor: Multicultural Leadership Studies
LeadershipProgram: Multicultural Leadership Studies
Jaka Jacklin
Majors: Astrophysics & Creative Technology and Design
Minor: Leadership Studies Minor
LeadershipProgram: Leadership Studies Minor
Michel Jarjour
Major: Neuroscience
Minors: Spanish, Sports Media, and Biochemistry
LeadershipProgram: CU GOLD
Yasmin Mohamud
Major: Political Science
Minor: Business
LeadershipProgram: Student Academic Success Center (SASC)
Hyma Jujjuru
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Business and Mathematics
LeadershipProgram: Engineering Leadership Program
Happy Phatak
Majors: Neuroscience and Psychology
Minors: Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, Business, and Leadership
LeadershipProgram: Leadership Studies Minor
What’s Next?
This fall, our inaugural cohort will match with their partner organizations to begin project ideation and plan finalization. Final project deliverables and outcomes will be presented at the Center for Leadership’s Spring Leadership Summit (date to be announced).
Interested in Learning More or Partnering?
For questions regarding the Wagner Family Civic Impact Initiative, please contact the Program Coordinator for Civic Impact, Chloe Nicklas, at chloe.nicklas@colorado.edu.