CU Denver’s fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony was held on Saturday, December 13 at the Colorado Convention Center. The College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) celebrated the achievements of 42 undergraduate and 38 graduate students.
“This was my first commencement at CU Denver,” said Dean David Rifkind, “and I was struck by the outpouring of love from the families and friends who came to support our graduates. It was touching to see the pride with which our graduates wore the sashes and cords that announced their academic excellence, their service to student organizations, and, in many cases, their status as first-generation university graduates. I left the ceremony even more inspired to improve the experiences of, and opportunities for, the next generation of students.”
Four CAP students were recognized as the college’s Outstanding Graduates for their top marks in academic achievement and contributions to the life of the college:
- Avrie Tomsik, Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Yulissa (Yuli) Pena Chavez, Bachelor of Science in Architecture
- Sophia Ostendorf, Master of Architecture
- Karlyn Russell-Carlson, Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Our Outstanding Graduates shared with us memories from their time at CAP and their anticipated next steps. Congratulations to all our outstanding graduates. We look forward to seeing how you carry forward your curiosity and passion for the built environment.
Meet Our Outstanding Graduates
Avrie Tomsik
Bachelor of Science in Architecture (Summer 2025)
How has your perspective of architecture evolved since you started the BS Arch program?
When I first started the program, I honestly thought architecture was just about designing, but I quickly learned it’s so much more than that. It takes a huge amount of collaboration, support, and community to make a project successful. I didn’t realize just how much time and effort goes into creating something that quite literally supports our lives, and how much we need architectural beauty in day-to-day life. On top of that, the program really opened my eyes to all the different paths to which an architecture degree can lead. It’s not just one straight line; there are so many opportunities out there for students and new professionals to explore.
What have you been up to since completing your degree?
I am working full time as an architectural designer with a wonderful firm in Colorado Springs who very kindly accepted me into their work family last summer as an intern. My work consists of just about anything and everything right now as I continue to learn how to navigate architecture outside of school. I have also recently been appointed as a Commissioner on the Manitou Springs Historic Preservation Commission. This opportunity will give me a chance to explore my interest in adaptive reuse and preservation in a way that allows me to be a bigger part of the community.
Could you share a memorable experience from your time as a CAP student?
Aside from the countless memories with my peers in studio…late nights, laughs, and chaos…two moments stand out. Our first studio will forever remain a special time in my heart, as it taught us the basics of design and helped us build connections that carried us through the program. Later, a material reuse project I did really opened my eyes to sustainability and creativity in architecture, and it showed me how design can give new life to what might otherwise be discarded. Both experiences reminded me that architecture is about people and purpose as much as buildings.
Yulissa (Yuli) Pena Chavez
Bachelor of Science in Architecture (Fall 2025)
How has your perspective of architecture evolved since you started the BS Arch program?
My perspective on architecture has evolved immensely over time, as I got to experience firsthand the process of designing and learning all the different steps involved when planning for a new design in this program. Studio has taught us as students to push ourselves and challenge our creativity, which will only get us ready for what the future holds for us as architects. I grew a lot more respect for the career knowing the dedication that is needed to be able to be successful in this program as well.
What are you looking forward to following the commencement ceremony?
I am now looking forward to celebrating my graduation with my fellow classmates, since we put in all of our effort to make this accomplishment possible.
Could you share a memorable experience, project, or opportunity from your time as a CAP student?
A memorable experience that I can recall from my personal studio experience is having those busy days right before our studio review, where a lot of us would stay working until night, but we would all support each other and give each other the reassurance that we needed to push through until review day. Once review day came, it was very rewarding to see how our projects came together and were given constructive feedback from the jurors.
Sophia Ostendorf
Master of Architecture (Spring 2025)
How has your perspective of architecture evolved since you started the M.Arch program?
Through this program, I’ve learned that architecture isn’t just about making a building. It’s about how it engages the community, how it touches the landscape, and how it complements the history of a place. It’s more than just drawing walls and windows; it’s about creating experiences.
What have you been up to since you completed your degree?
After finishing my study abroad in Japan this summer, I started as a full-time designer at Semple Brown. I’m working on a daycare project for Kent Denver School and a hotel in Five Points!
Could you share a memorable experience, project, or opportunity from your time as a CAP student?
This was hard to narrow down since this program offered so many memorable experiences from the Aspen Workshop to Design Build and then wrapping up my studies with the Japan study abroad. I met so many incredible people throughout this journey. If I have to pick one, I would say working for UTAP was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to explore my design process outside of studio, visit different parts of the state that I’ve never been to or even heard of, and meet lifelong friends in the M.Arch and MLA program. Shout out to Studio X!
Karlyn Russell-Carlson
Master of Urban and Regional Planning (Fall 2025)
How has your perspective of urban planning evolved since you started the MURP program?
I started the MURP program because I wanted to understand how to make change in our cities, particularly in terms of bike and pedestrian safety. My experience in the program has taught me so much about the inner workings of planning and politics, and I have a much better sense of what goes on “behind the scenes” to create the built environment we all live in. I still feel just as motivated to create change and push for more equitable housing and transportation systems.
What are you looking forward to following the commencement ceremony?
I’m going to begin working full time with Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), an urban planning consulting firm focused on the economics of land use. I started interning with EPS in Spring 2024 and I’ve gotten to work on a huge array of projects, including a housing needs assessment in Eagle County, the Burnham Yard Small Area Plan around the new Broncos stadium, and several housing policy projects in the Roaring Fork Valley. I’m excited to join the team full time!
Could you share a memorable experience, project, or opportunity from your time as a CAP student?
In January 2025, I attended the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. to present my thesis research, which focused on bus ridership recovery on Denver’s RTD system following the COVID-19 pandemic. My research and trip to TRB were made possible by the Federal Highway Administration’s Eisenhower Fellowship program, which my advisors Dr. Manish Shirgaokar, Dr. Aditi Misra, and Dr. Wes Marshall encouraged me to apply for. At TRB, I got to meet many brilliant transportation professionals and hear about cutting-edge transportation research firsthand.