For more than 50 years, CU Denver has offered higher education that fits every stage of people’s lives and careers, whether they’re working parents, transfer students, first-generation students, mid-career strivers, and so much more.
As CU Denver celebrates its newest graduates on May 17, in the mix will be two students who—as the day’s youngest and oldest degree-earners—represent the vast range of students that CU Denver serves. Faith Solter, 18, and Jose Carbon, 75, have a 57-year age gap, but when they sat down with us to talk about CU Denver, it turns out that they had a lot in common.
A Well-Traveled Life
Seventy-five-year-old Jose Carbon came to CU Denver to study history to build on a scholarly passion he always had but never fully explored, and to further illuminate his career experiences. “When I was in the military, my knowledge of history—specifically in Latin America—opened the door for me to do a number of things,” he said. “I now consider myself a ‘junior historian.’ The more I read, the more I realize I need to learn more.”
Simply reaching the U.S. was an extraordinary journey for Carbon. Born in Spain during the regime of Francisco Franco, he relocated to Cuba at age 5 as Fidel Castro came to power (“I saw the tanks coming in,” he said) before emigrating to a foster family in the U.S. After “barely making it through high school,” he joined the military, served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, and experienced 12 countries during a career that included time at the Pentagon. “I consider myself a citizen of the world,” he said.
Carbon salutes the learning experiences he’s had at CU Denver. In particular, he noted History Chair and Associate Professor Ryan Crewe, Assistant Professor Bill Wagner on the American Southwest, and Instructor Christine Sundberg on African history. He also has been a peer advisor to on-campus military veterans, and is assisting Assistant Professor Peter Kopp’s research with translation services. “Being here, taking history, has made me aware there’s a lot I don’t know,” he said. “There’s a lot I should have known.”
This summer, Carbon will explore the best place to volunteer or teach to pay forward the learnings gained in his master’s degree pursuit. “I’m thinking about veteran-serving organizations, and I’m also thinking about immigration,” he said. “There’s a lot of organizations I can volunteer for. I just need to find the place I think I’m going to make a difference.”
A Running Head Start
Eighteen-year-old Faith Solter was born into a military family. She grew up in Alaska until an earthquake rendered her home uninhabitable. Soon after relocating to Colorado, two things happened. First, Solter decided she wanted to get to college as early as she could. Second, the COVID pandemic hit, which, due to increased flexibility of online classes, made it easier for her to accelerate her progress.
Solter began to log dual enrollment college credits and broadened her horizon. Too young to live in dorms or drive to school, she chose CU Denver for its convenience and the Auraria campus’ relative familiarity (her dad went to MSU Denver). After toying with biology and psychology emphases, she decided sociology would supply a good combination of elements she wanted to study.
She also immersed in herself in campus community opportunities such as serving on the Dean of Students’ Advisory Council, and earning membership in the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society. She also pursued research and writing on topics including air quality and environmental justice (guided by Associate Professor Esther Sullivan) and earned Magna Cum Laude honors while earning a bachelor’s in sociology and minor in ethnic studies.
Solter is poised to complete her master’s studies (through CU Denver’s 4+1 program, which allows students to complete undergraduate and graduate studies in five years) next year and possibly apply to law schools in pursuit of a research or legal career. “The sky’s the limit on that front,” she said.
This semester, Solter shifted gears to enroll in a math and science course. “I am taking an introductory astronomy course—not something I was anticipating, but I needed an extra four credits. The class has been very fun,” said Solter. “I have definitely met people who I would not have previously met in any other class.”
Common Threads Across Generations
Solter and Carbon both spoke to how, while their experiences were different, CU Denver helped them reach their goals. “I love this campus,” Carbon said. “I love to see the diversity. I don’t know how many times I’ve stopped students to say, ‘What language are you speaking?’” He also spoke about how the campus’ location—in the heart of a major global city—is unique. “When I take the RTD here, I get off at the station before campus, and I just walk,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of cities, and it’s what I like about cities: all kinds of people, all kinds of architecture.”
Solter shared a similar sentiment. “This campus feels welcoming and inclusive of people from all different walks of life,” she said. “I really enjoy being in a place where there is a space for everybody and so many different affinity groups.” That sense of community made a difference for her. “I was definitely very nervous to start college at 15,” Solter said. “Being around so many people older than me, I was afraid I would be patronized or not seen as good, but I found that it was the opposite. My opinion has value here.”