Meet Diddiery

Studied... Communications

Became... Graduate Student & Professor

First Person in Her Family to Go to College
Commuted from Parker to Downtown
Joined the Latinx Student Alliance
International Internship in Madrid, Spain
CU Denver Graduate (BA ’23; MA ’26)

Diddi smiling and posing on CU Denver campus in front of trees

Do you want to learn more about CU Denver?

I came here to connect with my community while going to college. Someday, I would love to be a professor who other first-generation students can look up to.

Diddi wearing regalia with First Generation stole walking outside with friend

Diddiery's Moment

Diddiery Santana’s moment arrived on the eve of her high school graduation via a thick envelope from CU Denver. In it, she found details on the financial support and resources she’d get to make her dream of earning a college degree a reality. As the first person in her family to go to college, she appreciated that she could commute to CU Denver’s campus while staying close to her community. After earning her undergraduate degree, Diddiery is back on campus working toward a graduate degree and her new goal: to become a professor.

Navigating Firsts

For Diddiery, the support of her family has been vital to her success. But there were moments, as a first-generation student, when she had to handle new things on her own, whether that was translating information for her parents or figuring out how to fill out the FAFSA form. Along the way, she found resources at CU Denver to help her. “CU Denver offered a lot. It wasn’t only the classes, but also the support, like mental health programs, the food pantry, and the Wellness Center.”

Diddi smiling and posing in front of trees on CU Denver campus

Diddi at commencement holding diploma and smiling after walking across stage

Getting Her Diploma

Diddiery’s graduation was a family affair—her grandmothers and great grandmother even flew in from Mexico to watch her cross the stage. “It was really emotional,” Diddiery said. “It was a proud moment for me, just seeing them and knowing that their dreams are coming true.”