This month, we are highlighting the Colorado Chapter!
Answers provided by members of the Colorado Chapter Board of Directors.
Your chapter has been doing great work! Can you share what’s been going on?
Our chapter has been focused on expanding our reach, in terms of both membership and event offerings, across Colorado’s Front Range. Fulbrighters reside in all corners of our state, which spans over 104,000 square miles—about seven times the size of Maryland! Despite the geographical challenges, we’ve strengthened connections across the state, ensuring that Fulbrighters from all regions, from Durango in the south to Fort Collins in the North, feel engaged and supported. We’ve also worked to enhance programming and events that foster greater interaction and collaboration among our members, ensuring our activities cater to the wide range of interests and expertise within our alumni community.
Who are some stand out members of the chapter? How do they contribute to the Colorado alumni community?
- Sarah Kleinman has been an integral part of our chapter’s success over the past four years. She joined our chapter in 2019 after returning from her Fulbright in Trinidad and was elected to the Board in 2020. Sarah has taken on several important roles, including At Large, Secretary, and Communications Officer, and has developed streamlined workflows for chapter communications. Her efforts have laid the foundation for our current communication strategies, helping us stay connected and informed. Beyond her work on the Board, Sarah recently earned her PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University, with her dissertation focusing on Kynaston McShine, the first Black curator at New York’s MoMA. Her time in Trinidad through her Fulbright fundamentally shifted her academic path, embedding the Caribbean and its diaspora into the heart of her research. Sarah has also shared her expertise with our community by hosting museum tours and gallery talks at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver. Her camaraderie and passion for scholarship have enriched not only her own PhD journey but also our chapter’s activities.
- Kathy Fine-Dare continues to work with Indigenous residents of Barrio San Enrique de Velasco in Quito – most recently on a collaborative engaged research grant application to the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research that will focus on community development projects centered on the musical and multimedia literacy and activism of young people. Additionally, she has a forthcoming book Dinámicas de la indigeneidad en contextos urbanos: Historia, actuación y educación en Cotocollao, Quito. (“Indigenous dynamics in urban contexts: History, action, and education in Cotocollao, Quito”). Kathleen S. Fine-Dare. Translation by Alexandra Ribadeneira Parducci. Co-publication of USFQ (University de San Francisco de Quito) and Abya-Yala Presses (Quito). Finally, she presented a poster at the Fulbright annual meeting in Denver in October, 2023, titled: “Collaborative and Comparative Fulbright Engagement with Communities Seeking Recognition and Justice.” This was a comparative look at ways her ongoing Fulbright-funded work in Ecuador has connected with her work as a NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) practitioner and scholar in the US. Kathy continues to advise colleagues regarding Fulbright related activities at Fort Lewis College (Durango CO) and the Institute of American Indian Arts (Santa Fe NM)
- Anne Yoncha maintains ongoing research with the High Altitude Bioprospecting working group, which began in fall of 2019 at a residency of Finland’s Bio Art Society, and she continues her studies to “understand Colorado’s fragile high-altitude fens and complex relationship with extraction and the post-human landscapes left behind.” Her work focuses on “data materialization” of places we’ve forever altered through extraction and other human activity. Yoncha is a Professor of Art at Metropolitan State University Denver, a Fulbright Fellow in Finland, a UM Master’s of Fine Arts alumna, and a Researcher with High Altitude Bioprospecting (HAB).
What advice would you give to other chapters?
The key to success is building a sense of community among your members, especially when dealing with geographical challenges like ours. By offering a mix of in-person and virtual events, we’ve been able to engage a wider audience and maintain strong connections. We foster an incredibly collaborative system, so don’t hesitate to involve your members in the planning process—understanding their interests and needs helps shape meaningful and relevant programming. Another important element is communication—develop efficient workflows and stay connected through multiple platforms to ensure no one is left out.
Do you have any upcoming programming for members to participate in?
Yes, we’re looking forward to our annual Thanksgiving gathering at the Yellow Barn Farm in Longmont, Colorado. Originally established in 1865 as Allen’s Farm, this historic land once operated as an international equestrian center. Today, it has been revitalized for sustainable food production, community-supported agriculture, and education in regenerative farming practices. In partnership with Drylands Agroecology Research, the farm promotes carbon sequestration, soil health, and innovative animal management strategies. At last year’s gathering, Beverly Castaneda, who has Ute, Diné, and Apache roots, led a land acknowledgment and shared her perspectives on the holiday from an Indigenous viewpoint. Beverly, an Indigenous Relations Consultant, emphasized the importance of reciprocity with the land and the interconnectedness of all beings. This year, we look forward to a similar reflection, deepening our understanding of Indigenous history and connection to the land. This event is a highlight of our year, offering members a chance to come together, celebrate the season, and reflect on our shared experiences. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with one another while embodying the Fulbright spirit of collaboration and learning.
