Daily Inspiration: Meet Kimberley Villegas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberley Villegas.

Hi Kimberley , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey by focusing on my education, knowing it would open doors to future opportunities. I attended the University of Colorado Denver, and after graduating, I began my career at the Latin American Educational Foundation. It’s a scholarship organization that not only provided the guidance and support I needed as a first-generation college student, but also the financial resources that made college possible for me.

Today, I serve as the Marketing and Communications Manager at Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF). My focus is to amplify the impact of what it truly means to have DSF in your corner—as a support system for students and as a meaningful investment for our community. I’m deeply passionate about advancing educational equity and supporting first-generation students in Colorado so they can thrive in college and in their careers.

Outside of work, I’m a proud mom to a beautiful daughter and actively serve on boards, including Montessori del Mundo, which allows me to contribute to my community while bringing perspective and empathy to my professional work.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My road was not always smooth, but I have learned that when one door closes, another opportunity often opens, and there is always a way forward. I have relied heavily on the support of my family and community. I faced challenges that required me to adapt and persevere, and each step taught me something new. Those lessons helped me get to where I am today, reminding me to always seek out resources and ask for help.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I serve as the Marketing and Communications Manager at Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF), where I have the honor and privilege of helping amplify DSF’s messaging. This includes highlighting the impact of being a DSF Scholar and the importance of DSF’s support for Denver Public Schools students.

My focus is on bringing our stories to life with energy and momentum through initiatives such as storyteller engagement, Spanish-language media outreach, bilingual call centers, and other efforts that help our community understand the value of DSF’s support and guidance. This support begins in our DSF Future Centers, located in 15 DPS high schools, where DSF College Advisors help students plan their post–high school paths, often including college or other career pathways.

Denver students who apply for and receive the DSF Scholarship become DSF Scholars and continue to receive support through our network of 30 DSF College Partners and DSF Campus Advisors, who guide them toward college completion and career success.

I’m especially proud of our recent collaboration with Entravision, where we hosted our first financial aid call center, allowing community members to call in and get their questions answered about financial aid applications. Every day, it is truly a joy and a privilege to tell the stories of the Denver students we serve.

What’s next?
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue expanding how we tell DSF’s story so it reaches even more students and families, particularly those who may not yet know about the support available to them. This includes strengthening bilingual and culturally responsive communications, deepening our presence in Spanish-language media, and building stronger partnerships with community organizations to ensure our messaging meets families where they are. I’m excited to keep innovating our storytelling by using new formats, digital tools, and data-informed strategies to make our communications more engaging, accessible, and impactful for students, families, and the broader Denver community. I’m looking forward to celebrating DSF’s 20th anniversary in 2026.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://denverscholarship.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverscholarshipfoundation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverScholarshipFoundation/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/denverscholarshipfoundation/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://x.com/denvscholarfdtn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@denverscholarshipfoundation

Image Credits
Green Lion Images, Evan Wilder and Graciela Valencia