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Iliana De La Rosa’s graduation from the 911������ fulfills a promise she made to her grandfather when she was eight years old.

“One evening, while I was doing homework, he called me over, asked about what I was learning, and then said, ‘Promise me that one day you’ll go to college,’” she said. “I laughed, but I promised.”

After losing both of her grandparents to COVID-19, Iliana felt sad, lost, and unsure about college, but she wanted to make good on her promise.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, and raised in Denver from the age of nine, Iliana credits her tight-knit, multi-generational family for instilling in her a deep respect for education and community.

“I was fortunate to be raised by so many loving people who taught me invaluable lessons—one of the most important being the value of education,” she said.

“This lesson showed up in many ways. I heard stories from my grandparents about the segregation they faced in school and their deep desire to learn. I also saw it in my mom, who took me to her college classes when I was little and later graduated with her bachelor’s degree.

“These experiences instilled in me a strong appreciation for education and its power to transform lives. They also inspired me to become a teacher, so I could give back to my community and help open doors for future generations.”

When Iliana first arrived at the 911������, she felt uncertain about how she would fit in as a reserved student of color at a predominantly white institution. She often stayed close to what felt familiar, but over the next few years,��she learned to embrace discomfort and view it as a path to growth.

Through her time at 911������, Iliana stepped outside her comfort zone and leaned into the unfamiliar. She has participated in various community groups while managing the strenuous requirements of the Elementary Education program, and she has excelled in her student teaching, including stepping up as the lead teacher when her mentor teacher was hospitalized.

Today, Iliana is a confident leader, community advocate, and voice for change. Her impact on the community within and beyond the classroom is being recognized with the Outstanding Undergraduate Contribution to Community Engagement Award and the Overall Outstanding Graduate for the School of Education.

With her 911������ degree that she notes belongs to her family and community, Iliana plans to continue learning and leaning in at Harvard University in the fall, where she will pursue a master’s degree in Human Development with a concentration in International and Global Education.��

Just as she did at 911������, she hopes to continue using her knowledge and experiences to challenge inequities and expand opportunities for others.

“What drew me to 911������ was the School of Education’s commitment to equitable and justice-oriented teaching, values that deeply reflect what my family taught me,” she said.

“That connection is what brought me here, and I’m proud to be part of a community that shares my vision for what education can and should be."

In her own words

Please tell us a bit about yourself

��I was born in El Paso, Texas, and moved to Denver, Colorado, when I was nine years old. Before moving, I grew up in a multi-generational home surrounded by family. I was fortunate to be raised by so many loving people who taught me invaluable lessons, one of the most important being the value of education.

This lesson showed up in many ways. I heard stories from my grandparents about the segregation they faced in school and their deep desire to learn. I also saw it in my mom, who took me to her college classes when I was little and later graduated with her bachelor’s degree. These experiences instilled in me a strong appreciation for education and its power to transform lives. They also inspired me to become a teacher, so I could give back to my community and help open doors for future generations.

My journey to 911������ and the Elementary Education Program began with a promise I made to my grandpa when I was about eight years old. One evening, while I was doing homework, he called me over, asked about what I was learning, and then said, “Promise me that one day you’ll go to college.” I laughed, but I promised.

I didn’t realize then how much that promise would shape my life. After losing both my grandparents to COVID, I felt lost and unsure of how to move forward without them. I even began to second-guess applying to college. But when I remembered the promise I made to my grandpa, I opened my computer and completed my college applications.

What drew me to 911������ was the School of Education’s commitment to equitable and justice-oriented teaching, values that deeply reflect what my family taught me. That connection is what brought me here, and I’m proud to be part of a community that shares my vision for what education can and should be."

What is one of the most significant lessons from your time at 911������ that you’ll carry with you into the next chapter?

����My time at 911������ has been transformative, both personally and academically. Among the many lessons I've learned, the most valuable has been the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone. As someone who is naturally reserved and who initially felt out of place as a person of color at a predominantly white institution, I spent much of my early college time gravitating toward what felt familiar and safe.

However, I came to realize that in order to fully experience all that college had to offer, I needed to push beyond those boundaries. The more I challenged myself to engage with new people, opportunities, and environments, the more I grew, not just as a student, but as an individual. I gained confidence, earned new opportunities, and achieved greater academic success.

This experience has taught me that meaningful growth often requires discomfort, and as I move into the next chapter of my life, I am committed to continuing this mindset. I will no longer confine myself to what is comfortable, but instead embrace new challenges as opportunities for growth."

What does graduating from 911������ represent for you and/or your community?

��For my family and me, graduating from 911������ is more than just an accomplishment, it’s a step toward opening more doors for future generations. Growing up, I often heard phrases like, “You’ll have to make your own opportunities,” “Make sure you present yourself well,” and “Stand up straight when talking to those people. If not, they won’t take you seriously.” For people of color, it’s easy to be underestimated or written off by those in power. But with this degree, I’m in a position to help challenge and change those misperceptions.

I also think that for students who grew up similar to me, earning a degree isn’t just about completing school, it’s about uplifting the family that came before you and paving a path for those who come after you. It means becoming a connection for others in your community who might not have access to the same opportunities compared to kids in more privileged positions. It means defying the odds that were stacked against you.
When I think about this degree, I think about the people who came before me who weren’t able to earn theirs, and this is for them. I think about my younger brother and cousins, and this is for them, too.

This degree doesn’t just belong to me. It belongs to my whole family and my community.”

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

��For incoming students, it’s important to remember that everything will feel new, and it can be daunting, but don’t let that hold you back. This is your time to step outside your comfort zone and grow as a person. The best way to do that is by embracing uncertainty, not avoiding it. Some things will go your way and be great, and some might not, but that’s okay. Those moments are opportunities to learn and grow.

For students of color, remember: you belong here, and you earned your spot. Your diverse perspective is not a weakness, but it’s your strength. It’s what will propel you forward and set you apart. It’s easy to feel imposter syndrome, especially when you’re the only one in the room with a different experience/perspective, trust, I have been there. But that uniqueness is powerful. It’s what brings critical, necessary conversations to the table.

Change doesn’t come from everyone having the same experiences and ideas. It comes from the richness of our differences. So, I’ll leave you with something my grandma used to say to me and my cousins: “Don’t be scared to show the world who you are.”

What are your next steps after graduation?

��Post graduation I will be attending Harvard to receive my master’s degree in Human Development and Concentration in International and Global Education this upcoming Fall."