Current Instructors

Kira Pasquesi

Kira Pasquesi

Program Director & Instructor, Leadership Studies Minor
CU Engage | School of Education
Kira (She/Her/Hers) is the Leadership Studies Minor Program Director & Instructor with CU Engage and the School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. The 16-credit hour academic minor prepares students to lead courageously through a combination of coursework, self-reflection, and leadership application in teams. Kira’s research examines the language of diversity and inclusion in higher education, along with critical approaches to university-community engagement. She earned her Ph.D. from...
Chelsea Hackett

Chelsea Hackett

Lecturer, Leadership Studies Minor
Department of Theatre and Dance
Chelsea Hackett Ph.D., (She/Her/Hers) is the co-founder and Executive Director of SPEAK, a non-profit that focuses on Vocal Empowerment for women and girls. In addition, she is an adjunct professor, interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and creative consultant based in Boulder, CO. She completed her doctorate in Educational Theatre at New York University, where her research focused on a partnership between MAIA Impact, a Guatemalan all-girl school, and an all-female Maya theatre...
Jen Korbelik

Jen Korbelik

Lecturer, Leadership Studies Minor
CU Engage | School of Education
Jen (She/Her/Hers) is an instructor with the Leadership Studies Minor. Additionally, she works for Boulder County Public Health where she manages a community coalition that is focused on creating community-wide systems change to support the healthy development of youth in Lafayette, Colorado.
Walt Morgan

Walt Morgan

Instructor, Leadership Studies Minor • National Curriculum Manager for the Navy's Leadership and Management course
US Navy | CU Engage | School of Education
Walt (He/Him/His) is a former Associate Professor at the University of Colorado and has been involved with CU's Leadership Minor since its inception, working as an advisor on its founding committee beginning in 2014; he currently serves as an instructor for multiple sections of the Leadership Minor's introductory course "Becoming a Leader". He is a retired Navy Commander and flew helicopters throughout his 23 years on active duty. Additionally, Walt...
Jess Morris

Jess Morris

Lecturer, Leadership Studies Minor • First-Year Academic Advisor for the College of Arts & Sciences • Manager of Advisor Training and Professional Development
College of Arts & Sciences
Jess Morris (She/Her/Hers) B.A. Spanish and Secondary Education, M.S. Organizational Leadership, is a lifelong learner, educator, and Buff. She attended CU Boulder for undergrad and taught high school Spanish for several years before returning to CU as an undergraduate academic advisor. While Jess' first love was teaching in the classroom, she also relishes in the opportunities to connect with students 1:1 in an advising setting to build deeper relationships and...
Allie Van Buskirk

Allison Van Buskirk

Community Studies Instructor, INVST | Leadership Studies Minor Instructor • Puksta Scholars Program Coordinator
CU Engage | School of Education
Allie is a long-time INVST supporter and couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of such a dynamite instructor team. She is currently instructing for LEAD 1000 and INVS 3932 and brings a unique skill set to this role: a wealth of non-profit management, fundraising, and group facilitation experience combined with years of personal mindfulness practice and a Masters Degree in Contemplative Education from Naropa University. She is passionate...
Elaina Verveer

Elaina Verveer

Instructor, Leadership Studies Minor
CU Engage | School of Education
Elaina Verveer (She/Her/Hers) has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of youth leadership, program and curriculum development, and community-based learning. In addition to her current work, Elaina has held numerous roles at CU Boulder, including founding Public Achievement director, mentor, and interim director of CU’s Puksta Scholar Program, faculty advisor to several student-led groups, and longtime community partner. Beyond her involvement at CU Boulder, Elaina has worked...

Staff

Erika Orona

Erika Orona

Leadership Studies Minor Coordinator | Public Achievement Coordinator
CU Engage | School of Education
Erika Orona (She/Her/Hers) coordinates the Public Achievement (PA) program and the Leadership Studies Minor, both programs which are part of CU Engage, the Center for Community Based Research and Learning. She is a first-generation with her A.A. from Front Range Community College in Psychology and B.A from CU boulder in Psychology with a minor in Ethnic Studies. During her time in undergrad Erika a peer mentor and TA for PCDP...