Denver Scholarship Foundation: Michael’s Story
Michael Borne’s journey has been shaped by a series of pivotal moments, each one bringing him closer to his true passion: international work, language, and connecting with people across cultures. A student at the University of Colorado Denver, Michael is pursuing a degree in international studies with a Latin American certificate, hoping to someday work as a diplomat for the State Department, or in the Peace Corps. He’s gained experience through an internship with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, and works as a tour guide at Denver’s State Capitol, but the road up to this point wasn’t always clear to him.
“There are a lot of people around me who are wanting to either help educate people or move toward something bigger,” he explains. That sense of support was particularly important during his high school years, especially after he graduated during the isolation of the pandemic. “I give the analogy of feeling like I was in the eye of the storm,” he says. “It was really quiet, but I knew a lot was about to change. I knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn’t know where, or what I would study.”
When he received an email from the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) offering him a scholarship, it all felt possible. “I just thought: ‘I did it—I actually have an opportunity to do college in an affordable way.’”
The DSF scholarship, funded through Prosperity Denver, didn’t just help Michael financially, it gave him the confidence to believe in his dreams.
“We so often forget how important safety nets and support are,” he says. “Especially as a freshman when you’re trying to figure out your own capacity to support yourself. Having DSF there really gave me this feeling of, ‘hey, there’s somebody right beside you.’” His DSF mentor, Alyssa, has helped him navigate the challenges of financial aid, stay on top of his academics, and connect with valuable resources for his future career.
“She’s been like a little angel on my shoulder,” Michael says. “She checks in on me every semester, makes sure I’m doing well in my classes, and helps me get involved in networking events. She’s one of my biggest fans outside of my family.” With her guidance, Michael has been able to solidify his career goals and start building the connections he’ll need to make them a reality.
Through DSF, Michael has also had the chance to network with professionals already doing the kind of work he hopes to do, like Foreign Service officers. “It’s impactful to see people with similar backgrounds, whether Black or low income or specifically from Denver, who are doing exactly what I want to do,” he says. “I heard someone reframe the concept of feeling like your ancestors are on your back to feeling like your ancestors are looking out of your own eyes,” he shares. “That’s such a powerful feeling.”
