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Celebrating the Next Generation of Colorado CPAs: 38 Students, $105,000 in Scholarships
School is back in session—and thanks to the generosity of COCPA Educational Foundation donors, 38 Colorado accounting students are starting the year with a little more support behind them!
The COCPA Educational Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has awarded 38 scholarships totaling $105,000 to deserving accounting students at eight Colorado colleges and universities.
These scholarships do more than help ease the financial load of college. They help students stay focused on their education, take important steps toward CPA licensure, and pursue their goals of becoming the next generation of accounting professionals in Colorado.
Congratulations, 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
We are proud to recognize each of these outstanding students—and the generous donors whose support makes their scholarships possible.
Meet the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Ahmed Ibrahim-Shukri
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Community College Transfer Scholarship
Andrew Thomas Olson
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Scholarship Type/Donor: Deloitte LLP
Avery Sparenberg
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Boston Adams
Colorado Mesa University
Scholarship Type/Donor: Plante Moran
Caitlynn Garcia
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Eide Bailly LLP
Chloe Hart
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: Otto and Betty Butterly
Christie Le Tran
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Claire Chesher
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Claire O'Leary
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Gordon Scheer
Conrad Todd Mata
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: David Dirks Memorial Scholarship
Darby Castillo-Gonzalez
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
David Neas
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Denise Carson
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Firaol Sado
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: BDO
Gabe Asleson
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Hailey Wong
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Mark and Victoria Smith Family Foundation
Irina Zigray
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: Plante Moran
Jackson Ryan Grace
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Janette Rodriguez Ibanez
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donors: Angela Roberts, David Loucks & Ron and Lynette Goodrich
Joseph Ivan Cooper
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Plante Moran
Julius Petersen
Colorado Mesa University
Scholarship Type/Donor: Plante Moran Scholarship
Karen Lucero De LaO
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Mark and Victoria Smith Family Foundation
Kennedy Larson
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Mira J. Fine, CPA, and Mary Medley
Logan Grout
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: Crowe LLP
Mariya Giganova
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: Moss Adams LLP
Montserrat Jimenez
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Nami Yi
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: Theresa Christensen Scholarship, funded by the Davisson Family
Olivia Dannhaus
Colorado State University – Pueblo
Scholarship Type/Donor: Hugh C. Braly
Owen Bernard Lovell
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Parker Ayres
Colorado State University – Pueblo
Scholarship Type/Donor: Xero
Polina Giganova
University of Colorado Boulder
Scholarship Type/Donor: Deloitte LLP
Reyna Macaluso
Colorado State University – Pueblo
Scholarship Type/Donor: Mark and Victoria Smith Family Foundation
Roberto Erives
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: Community College Transfer Scholarship
Ryan Green
University of Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: EY
Sarahellen Farfan
University of Colorado Denver
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Shelby Brubaker
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: Past Presidents Scholarship
Vivian Siewert
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Scholarship Type/Donor: KPMG LLP
Yajaira Ruby Acosta
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Scholarship Type/Donor: General Scholarship
Behind Every Scholarship Is a Donor Who Believes in the Future
To our generous donors: thank you. The 2026 scholarship class is a wonderful reminder of what happens when the Colorado accounting community invests in its future. Whether you're a CPA, accounting professional, educator, employer, or simply someone who believes in supporting the next generation, your gift makes a meaningful difference.
Support the future of accounting and donate to the COCPA Educational Foundation today.