CSU Pueblo Student Named HACU Voces Nuevas Scholar

Maria Meza Saldivar has been selected for the prestigious national leadership and advocacy program.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a graduation cap on a wooden lectern, representing academic leadership and achievement. — Colorado State University Pueblo student Maria Meza Saldivar has been selected as a HACU Voces Nuevas Scholar for her leadership work. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maria Meza Saldivar, a student at Colorado State University Pueblo, has been named a HACU Voces Nuevas Scholar. She is the only student from a four-year institution in Colorado to earn the honor.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the university's commitment to fostering student leadership on a national level. The program provides participants with essential tools to influence policy and professional advocacy work.

The Voces Nuevas program selects approximately 50 students from across the United States and Puerto Rico. Participants engage in an eight-month curriculum focused on leadership, public speaking, and policy work.

The players

Maria Meza Saldivar

She is a student at Colorado State University Pueblo who was recently selected for the Voces Nuevas program.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

This organization represents Hispanic-serving institutions and manages the competitive Voces Nuevas scholar selection process.

Colorado State University Pueblo

This is a public university located in Pueblo that serves as the only four-year institution in Colorado with a student in this specific cohort.

The details

Meza Saldivar, who previously held a work-study role in the SLICE department at CSU Pueblo, will undergo comprehensive professional training as part of the cohort. The selection process was managed by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Maria Meza Saldivar was named a scholar in September 2026.

Culture Shift

This achievement reflects a broader societal trend of empowering undergraduate students to engage directly with national policy and advocacy. By investing in professional development early, institutions are preparing a new generation of leaders to address systemic challenges.

Students at the local level can look to this selection as a benchmark for the competitive requirements needed to participate in national advocacy programs. It demonstrates the value of campus involvement in departments like SLICE for building a strong resume.

The takeaway

Participation in national cohort programs offers students a unique pathway to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world policy work. Students interested in similar paths should begin by seeking departmental roles that offer direct leadership experience.