Elias Quiñonez is the Manager of Student Life and Diversity for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. His focus is helping students stay connected and promoting inclusive environment within the College of Agricultural Sciences. He recently received a 5year grant he designed called “The Semilla Project” that works with 1,000 first-gen students in Colorado and encourages agricultural sciences. In this episode, Elias shares his story of losing his mom at 8 years old, growing up in a low income family of nine, being a first generation high school graduate and now becoming a Ph.D. candidate.

Elias earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and his master’s in Educational Leadership from University of Northern Colorado and is currently completing the doctoral program in Higher Education Leadership at CSU.

Elias enjoys fishing, painting, and spending time with his wife and son. He lives in Fort Collins, CO.

Contact Info:

Email: elias.Quinonez@colostate.edu

Show Notes:

La Semilla Project: https://agsci.source.colostate.edu/new-spur-offerings/

A tale of 3 kings: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-three-Kings-Study-Brokenness/dp/0842369082/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=