S.O.A.R. ADVISORY COMMITTEE
S.O.A.R.: Servingness for Opportunity, Achievement and Resilience Advisory Committee
The SOAR Advisory Committee is comprised of members who represent faculty, staff, and students from a variety of units across the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. The focus of the group is to foster and support an open and enriching environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Members volunteer their time and effort toward our goals. The committee meets monthly, and subcommittees are formed as needed. The committee is committed to increasing opportunity, supporting achievement, and building resilience for all students, staff, and faculty on the CU Anschutz campus.
Our mission is to provide guidance on addressing barriers and creating a responsive, welcoming, and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff, trainees, and community members across the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. We advocate for programs that strengthen social, emotional, academic, and career development, supported by systems that ensure accountability.
Our work includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:
- Promoting a strong sense of belonging and well‑being
- Implementing evidence‑based practices that advance success
- Offering holistic academic and professional development opportunities that build on individual strengths
The University of Colorado Anschutz is a leading health sciences campus dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff, trainees, and community members. We believe our community thrives when individuals are valued as whole people and when their backgrounds and experiences are respected and visible.
Our commitment to a positive campus experience includes fostering connections, promoting well‑being, and ensuring that every member of our community feels a strong sense of belonging.
S.O.A.R. Advisory Committee Members
Adela Cota-Gomez, PhD
Dr. Cota-Gomez is Assistant Director of Education Administration of the CU Anschutz Cancer Center. She oversees a continuous portfolio of cancer-focused Pathways Programs from Middle School to Junior Faculty to realize the research education and training mission of the Cancer Center and diversify the cancer workforce.
Karely Villareal Hernandez, MPH
Karely Villarreal Hernandez is a Professional Research Assistant for the Centers for Health, Work & Environment of the Colorado School of Public Health. As a Professional Research Assistant at the Center for Health Work and Environment of the Colorado School of Public Health, Karely is actively involved in conducting research projects that focus on the intersection of health and work. Her work extends to advocating and co-leading trainings in worker health, particularly within the Latino community, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and supportive workplaces.
Theresa Nino, she/her/hers/ella
Theresa is a Senior Instructor for the College of Nursing at the University of Colorado Anschutz. Theresa has over 30 years of clinical expertise in critical care, trauma, and nursing education. Ms. Nino received both her Bachelors and Master of Science in Nursing at the California State University at Dominguez Hills. Theresa serves through participation in shared governance as well as being involved in Access and Engagement work for CU Anschutz and she is a member of the Servingness for Opportunity, Achievement and Resilience Advisory Committee and participates in community work. She serves local professional nursing organizations and is engaged in the education and recognition of our community of excellent nurses. Theresa strives to promote inclusivity in learning spaces and planning for our next generation of providers.
Montelle Taméz
Montelle Taméz is the Deputy Director of Community Engagement at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. Ms. Taméz has 20 years of experience addressing health disparities and the social determinants of health through public health program development, implementation and management, health education and promotion, community engagement and community engaged research. Her career spans multiple sectors, including community-based non-profit organizations, state and local public health, and academic research institutions.
Deborah Parra-Medina, MPH, PhD
Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the Director of the Center to Advance Community Health. She has over 25 years of research and program experience in chronic disease prevention with underserved groups, including women, Hispanics, immigrants, youth and financially disadvantaged populations in diverse geographic and community settings. Her research portfolio includes 20 grants funded for over $22 million over the past 25 years. Dr. Parra-Medina has disseminated her research in over 120 published articles, presented extensively at national and international conferences, and received awards for research, teaching, and service. In 2016 she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior. She received the 2013 American Public Health Association Mayhew Derryberry Award for outstanding contributions to research in the behavioral sciences. Dr. Parra-Medina currently serves as Editor for the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science and is an editorial board member for several scholarly journals.
Alisya Rodriguez
Alisya Rodriguez embodies Colorado pride through her unwavering commitment to advocating for the Latine community. Her career has been fueled by a deep passion for culture and education, driving significant progress. With a BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado Denver, Alisya has gained a profound understanding of cultural dynamics and social justice issues. Her leadership extends to serving on various boards, engaging with SOAR and Latine affinity groups, and spearheading DREAMER scholarship fundraising efforts. For over 20 years, Alisya has been an integral part of the Baile Folklorico community in Colorado as a professional dancer and instructor. Through her work, she has inspired countless students to connect with their cultural heritage and express themselves through dance. Alisya’s extensive experience, dedication, and diverse contributions make her a distinguished advocate for the Latine community.