Whether they are local or from out-of-state, majoring in humanities, education or science, these recent outstanding Adams State University graduates were inspired to pursue their passions and accomplish their goals.
Addison Coombs
Bachelor of Arts
Elementary Education
Emphasis in Social Studies
La Jara, Colo.
Magna Cum Laude
Addison follows in the steps of several family members who earned their degree from Adams State, including her parents, three of her four grandparents, many aunts and uncles, two older brothers, and her sister plans to graduate from Adams State.
Adams State was the perfect fit for Addison, allowing her to stay close to her small hometown while earning a college degree. “I loved being able to work in schools and with people I already knew, which made the whole experience feel comfortable and meaningful. Overall, Adams State gave me the right mix of community, opportunity, and support. I’m really grateful I was able to earn my degree so close to home.”
Currently, Addison teaches kindergarten and plans to continue teaching and growing in her role as an educator. “I really love being in the classroom, and I want to keep building my skills and confidence as I gain more experience.” Eventually, Addison will pursue a master’s degree to become an even stronger educator for her students.
Addison appreciates the guidance and mentorship from her professors. “My advisor helped me map out the best path to graduation, answered every question I had, and made sure I felt prepared for my licensing exams.”
Her professors consistently checked in, offered quick and meaningful feedback on assignments, and were always willing to work with her schedule. They supported Addison’s placement at a school close to home, which made balancing work and coursework much more manageable. “Their flexibility, encouragement, and practical guidance gave me strategies I now use daily in my classroom and helped me feel confident and ready to teach.”
During her senior year she worked as a Teacher of Record, an alternative license that allows students to begin teaching in the classroom while completing their degree. This replaced her traditional student teaching and provided Addison valuable real‑world experience. It also helped financially, as she earned a full salary while finishing her degree. “Being in my own classroom, managing everything from lesson planning to family communication, helped me grow quickly and feel much more prepared for my first official year of teaching.”
Taking concurrent enrollment classes in high school, helped Addison complete a bachelor’s degree in three years and graduate debt free. Her tuition and fees were covered through scholarships and support available to San Luis Valley students. Supportive financial aid staff guided her through all the processes.
When her schedule allowed, Addison participated in the Educators of Tomorrow Club, connecting with professors and education majors.
“I grew up around educators, but I didn’t fully understand everything that teaching involves until I entered the program and started experiencing it for myself.” Through coursework, fieldwork, and hands-on experience, Addison learned about instruction, classroom management, and the everyday realities of working with young learners.
“I also grew a lot in my confidence—at the beginning, everything felt new and a little overwhelming, but over time I learned how to trust myself, make decisions, and handle challenges in the classroom. I can see how much I’ve changed, not just in my skills but in the way I carry myself as a teacher. My excitement for teaching has only grown stronger, and I feel ready for whatever comes next.”
Lieke Hoogsteen
Bachelor of Science
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Bachelor of Science
Biochemistry
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Summa Cum Laude
A NCAA DII National Indoor Track & Field Champion, as a team member and as an individual, Lieke is grateful to have been a part of exceptional cross country and track and field teams. “I loved the small class sizes and relationships I built with my classmates as well as my professors. Lieke plans on pursuing a master’s degree at Adams State and going to medical school.
Her professors’ flexibility helped her be successful academically and athletically. “I also felt like they truly cared about me in class, as well as outside of class, and showed me support for all my goals.”
Lieke received several scholarships and worked as a tutor for STEM classes and as a teaching assistant for biology and chemistry laboratories.
“I made connections with coaches, students and professors that I will have for the rest of my life. If I ever need anything, these are people I can reach out to!”
Lieke earned two bachelor’s degrees in five years and graduated with very little debt. She was involved with the chemistry club, Adams Atoms, attending chemistry conferences and socializing outside of class.
“I came in as a freshman feeling intimidated by my teammates, feeling unsure about the direction my life was taking and quite honestly feeling lonely most of the time. Now, I’m leaving Adams State as a DII National Champion. I am enjoying the path that I’m walking and who I am walking it with.”
Maggie McCleskey
Bachelor of Science
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Louisville, Colo.
Summa Cum Laude
“I love the Adams community. Not only was I able to work hard and learn during my time here, but I also felt encouraged to continue challenging myself by my professors, coaches, classmates, and teammates. My confidence has grown over these past four years. I am excited to pursue new challenges.”
Maggie will continue running and plans to attend graduate school, with the ultimate goal of earning a doctorate degree.
Through her professors, Maggie realized a passion for biology and developed an overall confidence in the sciences. “I value the time they spent helping me understand complex concepts and look forward to using the knowledge and experience I’ve gained at this university in future lab and academic settings.”
Maggie received several scholarships and graduated with no debt in four years. She was a member of the chemistry and biology clubs. “I enjoyed participating in these clubs and connecting with fellow students who share my love for biology and the sciences in general.”
A member of the 2024 DII Women’s Cross Country Championship team, Maggie’s coaches helped her chase goals outside of academics. “Coach Martin and his assistant coaches created a program that chases excellence on and off the racecourse and created a team with a strong sense of community and family. I loved being a part of the cross country and track and field teams. It helped me to grow both as an athlete and as a person.”
Maggie became much more confident over the course of her academic career. “I do not know exactly what will come next, but with the skills and perseverance Adams State has taught me, I look forward to chasing new goals and tackling new challenges.”
Travis R. McKinzie
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration/General Business
Walsenburg, Colo.
Cum Laude
As a dual major, Travis gained unique perspectives from professors and classmates across two distinct but interrelated fields. “Attending Adams for the last 10 semesters has been an amazing experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.” He plans to pursue a graduate degree in cognitive science, an interdisciplinary field related to his interests in psychology, technology, and philosophy of mind.
“Adams State has offered me an unprecedented opportunity to develop as an individual across a variety of dimensions. I was a wrestler for five years and gained a real sense of what it means to dedicate oneself to a team effort and toward development of skills, resilience, and a meaningful pursuit of personal goals.
“I simply want to find a sustainable level of peace and well-being as I pursue projects that I am wholly invested in.”
Gina Mitchell, Ph.D., professor of psychology, advisor for Psi Chi Club, helped Travis and all members organize and host events and accompanied them to psychology conferences. Travis’ advisor, AJ Webb, D.H.S., assistant professor NTT of management, mentored him during an internship that became the subject of his 2026 Student Scholar Days presentation. “These two, alongside a long list of other professors helped reshape my worldview, my perspective on human behavior, and challenged me to become a more well informed, ethically minded citizen.”
Travis received multiple scholarships and participated in internships. He held a work-study job in Computing Services. “Big shoutout to Jeremy Jaramillo (manager of campus AV) and Brittany Raines (manager of support services) for being amazing bosses who worked with me for years in putting together a manageable work study schedule while taking on a full undergraduate course schedule and wrestling career.”
Connections Travis made with teammates, new friends, classmates, coaches, supervisors, staff, faculty, local residents, and businesspeople of the San Luis Valley, supported his success. “I always felt I could lean on others if the activities of my life became overwhelming. My worst experiences over the last five years came as a result of self-isolation, where for many complicated reasons I stopped fostering and creating connections with the communities that were always there for me.”
Travis graduated in five years with two degrees with a reasonable amount of debt.
The most important aspect of his growth is in education and humility. “I certainly know more about myself, the world, and the methodology that scientists, philosophers, and other academics employ to discover and explain the mechanisms of worldly phenomena. The fruits of my efforts are found in my ever-growing curiosity, and a sense of gratitude for the lucky circumstances of my life. I thank all people involved in the process of encouraging me to be more open minded, humble, and grateful during my time at Adams State!”
Kelsey Weeks
Bachelor of Arts
Interdisciplinary Studies
Emphasis in Agricultural Biology
Agribusiness Minor
GIS Certificate
Alamosa, Colo.
Cum Laude
“This journey wasn’t perfect or easy, but it was real. Being recognized as an Outstanding Graduate is something I never imagined for myself, and it’s hard to fully explain what that means. To me, it feels like proof that growth is possible and that second chances matter. As a mom, more than anything, I hope my kids see this one day and understand something simple but important…that no matter where you find yourself in life, you can keep going, you can grow, and you can become more than the circumstances you started in.”
Kelsey gave college a chance after her mom completed her Adams State nursing degree in 2015. Her brother, Darin, is part of the first Adams State/CSU mechanical engineering cohort, also graduating this spring. “It’s not something I ever imagined for our family, and being able to share this moment together means everything to me.”
Adams State’s small class sizes and supportive environment helped Kelsey thrive. “My professors knew me, supported me, and truly cared about where I was going. There were times I doubted myself, and they kept pushing me forward. Adams State didn’t just give me a degree, it gave me confidence, direction, and people who believed in me when I needed it most. It also gave me the opportunity to show my kids what it looks like to keep going, even when things aren’t easy.”
Kelsey will pursue a master’s degree in precision agriculture, with a focus on water and conservation. “I am also open to the idea of a Ph.D. down the road.” Long-term, she wants to work directly with producers and be a part of real solutions, especially when it comes to water in places like the San Luis Valley. “This work feels personal to me, not just something I want to study, but something I want to be a part of.”
Advisors and professors were mentors, supporters, who kept Kelsey grounded when she needed it most. “They encouraged me to take opportunities I didn’t feel ready for, supported me through struggles, and understood that I was balancing more than just school. They helped guide my decisions and gave me structure when I didn’t have it figured out yet. Most importantly, they believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and that changed everything.”
The opportunity to become a USDA NextGen Scholar changed Kelsey’s life. “It allowed me to go to school without constantly worrying about how I was going to afford it.” Through the program, Kelsey had internships with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and the San Luis Valley Research Center. “Those experiences helped me find what I actually care about and gave me real, hands-on experience that shaped my future.”
Working with producers, conservation staff, and researchers provided Kelsey with real-world experience. “It helped me understand the challenges people are facing and where I fit into all of it. Those connections gave me confidence and helped me realize I belong in this space.”
Kelsey graduates in four-and-a-half years with little debt, thanks to the NextGen Scholarship. Her involvement in the Agribusiness Club provided opportunity to travel, meet people in the industry, and build connections that have already helped move her career forward.
“As a freshman, I was honestly lost. I didn’t have direction, and I wasn’t even sure I could finish college. There were parts of my life that I was still trying to figure out, and at times, just showing up felt like an accomplishment. I was also a mom, trying to balance everything at once. There were nights I studied after my kids went to sleep, and moments when they asked me to play or spend time together, and I had to say, “not right now.” That part was one of the hardest parts of this journey, knowing I was working toward something bigger, but feeling the weight of what it took to get there.
“Over time, I found what I was passionate about and surrounded myself with people who believed in me, and slowly, I started to believe in myself too. I learned how to keep going even when things felt uncertain, and how to build something steady out of a life that didn’t always feel that way.”
Corrie Sue Williams
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Enterprise, Utah
Summa Cum Laude
“I truly enjoyed the people and culture of Adams State.” Corrie is looking forward to marrying Andrew Weakley this summer. She will continue at Adams State, pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health, and as a member of the women’s wrestling team. “I hope to use my degrees to become a mental health counselor for teenagers or children.”
From day one, Corrie knew the faculty, especially her psychology professors, genuinely cared about her. “They are incredibly invested in each student, their success, and their wellbeing. My relationship with my professors gave me the support to succeed. They were always in my corner to listen, work with me, and cheer me on.
“I would not have made it through the past two years without my coach, Kyle Sand. His constant support, nudging, and encouragement has provided me a space to learn, fail, and grow. I am a better athlete and person because of his influence on my life.”
As a work-study in the Adams State Police Department, Corrie connected with Victoria Miranda, administrative assistant, and all the officers. “I am so grateful for the light, humor, and the positive impact they left in my life.”
The staff in the Athletic Department, including Athletic Director Katelyn Smith and Skye Higens, events and facilities manager, genuinely care about the students. “I love that I could talk with them about anything and they would listen and support me.”
A transfer student, Corrie graduated in two years with reasonable debt for an out-of-state student. She received scholarships and internships and was a member of the Psychology and Psi Chi Clubs.
“I overcame challenges I could never prepare for, including some I didn’t believe I would make it through. I have the wonderful people around me to thank for encouraging me to continue. My self-efficacy and strength grow with each challenge I overcome. A quote I love describes this growth: ‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.’ – Maya Angelou. As a freshman, my goal was survival, but over the last four years, I found greater meaning and purpose in my life. I am chasing dreams and pursuing excellence and thriving along the way.”
Post-Graduate
Candice Baughman
Master of Business Administration
Tenino, Washington
Candice explained her story with Adams State is very personal. “I started my MBA while I was still incarcerated. At that time, education was not just about earning another degree. It was about rebuilding my life, finding purpose, and becoming the kind of woman and leader I knew I was capable of being. Adams State gave me that chance at a time when hope and opportunity mattered deeply.”
Today, she is a program specialist with Underground Ministries’ One Parish One Prisoner program, supporting congregations across Washington in building reentry accompaniment teams for people coming home from incarceration. She is also the founder of Ed 4 Empowerment and a Reentry Program Specialist with Interaction Transition’s Hope on the Horizon peer mentoring program.
“My work focuses on helping justice-impacted people move toward housing, education, employment, and real community connection.”
Before prison, Candice earned a bachelor’s degree and worked at South Puget Sound Community College, as well as volunteering as a victim advocate for survivors of domestic violence. “After trauma, addiction, unhealthy relationships, and the death of my father, my life unraveled. I ended up sentenced to prison, and for a while I was still stuck in destructive patterns even after I got there.” What changed the direction of her life was education.
“It may sound funny, but accounting changed the tide for me. A woman was frustrated with her accounting homework, and I blurted out, ‘I bet I can help you with it.’” That small moment opened something up in Candice and she enrolled in the business program through Tacoma Community College while incarcerated and later became the professor’s teaching assistant.
“For the first time in a long time, I was not just being punished. I was being trusted. That mattered. Education helped me see myself differently. It gave me confidence, discipline, purpose, and a reason to believe I could build a different future.”
While incarcerated, Candice was involved in leadership opportunities, faith communities, Toastmasters, and student leadership. She became one of the first members of Phi Theta Kappa in a women’s prison, and began to understand that by investing in people, especially people society has written off, transformation is possible. “That is the spirit I carried with me into my MBA program and into the work I do now.”
The professors at Adams State supported Candice by believing in and challenging her and making space for her lived experience in her academic work. “I did not have to separate my education from my purpose. I was able to build projects that connected directly to real problems I care about and the communities I serve.”
One of the biggest examples of that is Hope on the Horizon. What started as a service-learning project through Candice’s graduate work grew into a real peer mentoring program that she now helps run. “It became more than an assignment. It became a model for supporting people before and after release through peer connection, coordination, and dignity. Seeing something begin in the classroom and become a real program serving others has been one of the most meaningful parts of my education.”
Candice’s family, friends, and community have been a huge part of the journey too. “Their support, encouragement, and belief in me helped carry me through the hardest seasons. I did not get here alone.”
Candice recently applied to law school and is waiting to hear back. “That next step feels like a natural continuation of everything this journey has been building toward. The more I work in reentry and advocacy, the more I see that helping individuals matters deeply, but changing systems matters too. I want the tools to advocate on a deeper level, help shape policy, and stand beside people whose voices are too often ignored.”
