Mother and Son Walk CU Denver Halls, Decades Apart

When Kaya Ozekin walks across the stage at CU Denver's fall commencement, it will be more than a personal achievement—it will mark a family milestone.

Nearly a quarter-century earlier, his mother, Emine Demiri-Ozekin, did the same, earning her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2001. Their shared experience, separated by decades but united by campus, reveals the legacy of CU Denver and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)—a place where real people find purpose, community, and lifelong opportunity. 

A Campus That Feels Like Home 

In 1996, when Emine first stepped onto the CU Denver campus, she was balancing her first full-time job with a dream of higher education. The university's accessibility and supportive community made that dream attainable. CU Denver, she says, offered not just classes, but confidence—an introduction to critical thinking and a way of understanding people that would shape the rest of her life. 

Her degree in psychology and minor in sociology became the foundation for everything that followed: raising six children, managing a small business, and building lasting relationships. She often credits CU Denver for helping her see the connections between empathy, leadership, and communication-skills that transcend any career. 

Those lessons made an impression on her oldest son. When it came time for Kaya to choose a university, his mother's stories made the decision easy. After visiting campus, he immediately felt that same sense of belonging she described. Downtown Denver's energy and the campus's modern expansion convinced him he'd found his place. 

Discovering Purpose in Political Science 

Kaya entered CU Denver in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in political science, double-minoring in economics and history. His academic journey began in an uncertain time—the height of the pandemic. Witnessing political and social change unfold in real time deepened his interest in understanding policy and law. 

That curiosity quickly turned into action. With encouragement from faculty, Kaya joined CU Denver's Pre-Law Society and Economics Club and earned recognition as both a Reisher Scholar and Honor Scholar. On campus, he found opportunities to connect theory with experience: interning on a Denver mayoral campaign led by one of his professors, and later taking on leadership roles at the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center, where he now serves as a facility supervisor. 

The variety of these experiences—academic, professional, and social—helped Kaya see the interconnectedness of CU Denver's liberal arts education. Studying history gave him context for modern politics; economics taught him the numbers behind policy; and his political science courses showed him how people make change. 

Learning from Mentors 

Across departments, CU Denver professors became catalysts for Kaya's growth. Political science faculty like Professor Jim Walsh and Professor Harvey Bishop challenged him to connect civic engagement with ethical responsibility. In history, Professor Cameron Blevins encouraged him to add a minor after noticing his passion for the subject. And in economics, Professors Kyle Hurst and Kyle Montanaro introduced him to the analytical side of policymaking. 

For Kaya, these relationships defined his college experience. Professors didn't just lecture—they mentored, connecting classroom ideas to Denver's living, breathing civic landscape. Through their guidance, he discovered that success isn't just about earning grades; it's about finding direction and purpose. 

Growth Through Experience 

Balancing school, work, and extracurriculars was not easy. Kaya admits that time management was his biggest challenge, especially early on. But CU Denver's environment—with its mix of commuter flexibility, urban access, and on-campus connection—taught him resilience. 

He began by simply showing up—joining a club meeting here, attending an event there—and gradually built a network of friends and mentors who supported his goals. By sophomore year, his persistence paid off: he earned scholarships, expanded his studies, and found his rhythm. 

For him, CU Denver became the bridge between student life and the professional world. The lessons he learned while helping run the Wellness Center—leading a team, managing events, balancing priorities—mirrored the same leadership skills that will serve him in his future legal career. 

Education That Works for Life 

If Kaya represents CU Denver's next generation of changemakers, his mother embodies the long-term value of a liberal arts education. Emine often says her degree didn't just open doors-it opened perspectives. 

Over two decades later, she still applies what she learned in psychology to her business and family life. From understanding customers to raising children, she sees education as a constant source of growth and empathy. 

For Emine, a college degree isn't a static credential; it's a foundation that allows you to evolve as life changes. She encourages her children to view education globally, not just locally. "You might start on one path and end up somewhere completely different," she tells them. "But a degree gives you something that lasts through every reinvention." 

"You might start on one path and end up somewhere completely different," she tells them. "But a degree gives you something that lasts through every reinvention." 

That mindset reflects CU Denver's mission to make education work for all—creating adaptable, lifelong learners prepared to navigate change with curiosity and compassion. 

The Power of Persistence 

Both mother and son agree that persistence defines success. Kaya's college years taught him the importance of asking questions and seeking help early. When he felt unsure about classes, scholarships, or internships, he reached out to professors, advisors, and even alumni. Each time, a new opportunity followed. 

He believes that simple persistence—sending one more email, attending one more meeting—made all the difference. "If you don't ask, you might miss your moment," he says. 

Emine shares a similar philosophy. Her advice to other parents and adult learners: start where you are, and don't let fear hold you back. "Be open to new ideas," she says. "Even if something feels impossible, keep going. You'll be surprised by what's possible when you stay consistent." 

Their perspectives illustrate how CU Denver empowers learners at every stage—students pursuing their first degree, parents returning to school, or professionals expanding their skills. 

A Family Legacy of Learning 

For the Ozekins, CU Denver isn't just a university—it's part of their family story. Emine enrolled in the late 1990s as a first-generation college student determined to build a better future. Today, her son graduates from the same institution, driven to shape the world through law and policy. 

That continuity symbolizes the university's evolving role in Denver and beyond. The same campus that once gave a young mother confidence to pursue her dreams now prepares her son to serve his community. It's proof that CU Denver's promise—education that works for all—extends across generations. 

Looking Toward the Future 

As Kaya prepares for graduation, he's filled with the mix of excitement and uncertainty familiar to every soon-to-be alum. He plans to continue his education, weighing the decision between pursuing a master's degree at CU Denver or heading directly to law school. Either path, he says, will build on the foundation he's already formed. 

He sees CU Denver as the place that helped him connect ambition with action. The city's diversity, the college's inclusivity, and the mentorship he received from faculty gave him the confidence to imagine a bigger future. 

"CU Denver gave me the chance to find my path—and the people to help me walk it," Kaya reflects. 

His mother, watching from the stands this December, will see more than a graduation. She'll see a continuation of a journey she began decades ago—a moment that captures the power of education to transform not just individuals, but families and communities. 

Full Circle: Meeting Their Moments 

The Ozekins' story captures what CU Denver stands for: real people making real impacts through accessible, forward-thinking education. 

From Emine's first psychology lecture in 1996 to Kaya's political science capstone in 2025, their experiences echo the university's commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and education that works for all. 

Both arrived on campus at pivotal moments in their lives. Both left with more than a degree. And both remind us that success is rarely linear-it's built moment by moment, through persistence, connection, and belief in what's possible. 

As Emine puts it best, "Education stays with you for life. It's something no one can take away." 

And now, watching her son cross the same stage she once did, she'll see that truth in motion-two Lynx, one legacy, and countless moments still ahead.