Join us in congratulating our CLAS Staff Council 2025 Award Winners!
Outstanding Newcomer - Maya Thieme, Program Assistant, Philosophy 
Maya received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Elon University in 2020. She joined the Philosophy Department at CU Denver in the Fall of 2023 as their program assistant. Since then, she has reconstructed the department's budget records from scratch, redesigned the department's PA handbook, and created multiple channels for communicating information to staff and faculty. Maya's impact extends beyond administrative reconstruction. She has proactively sought out training opportunities to refine her experience in website management, marketing, and PR best practices, effectively strengthening the department's online presence and outreach.
Maya has transformed the physical and social environment of the office, creating a more inclusive and student-friendly space with welcoming signage, a free supply shelf for students, and more accessible department resources. She has strengthened relationships with stakeholders on and off campus, positioning the department for growth and greater student involvement. Maya's enthusiasm, proactive mindset, and commitment to improving both the administrative and student experience have had an immediate and profound impact, making her an invaluable asset to the Philosophy Department, CLAS, and CU Denver as a whole.
Outstanding Student Engagement - Maria Rase, Senior Business Operations Coordinator, Health and Behavioral Sciences 
As a Senior Business Operations Specialist in the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Maria has dedicated 15 years to supporting students and fostering their success within the university. Throughout her tenure, she has found immense fulfillment in being part of a team that guides students toward achieving their academic and professional goals. She takes great pride in providing the support and encouragement students need throughout their journey. To be chosen for this award and to be in the company of so many talented staff teams is truly special.
Maria recognizes that success is a collective effort, and she deeply appreciates the collaboration that allows her to perform her duties effectively. She extends her gratitude to the Dean's Office colleagues and colleagues from across many departments who contribute to making her work more impactful. Maria’s passion for higher education and student success makes this recognition especially meaningful.
Outstanding Community Engagement - Pamela Nagafuji, Laboratory Coordinator II, Department of Chemistry 
Pamela is a Lab Coordinator in the Chemistry Department at the University of Colorado Denver and previously worked at the Boulder Campus. She is an elected Councilor in the Colorado Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and a Society for Science Advocate (2023-2025).
Pamela helps mentor DPS middle school students interested in participating in science fairs (DMRSEF and DPS) and other STEM extracurricular activities like First Robotics. Along with colleagues at CCD and MSU, Pamela started a tri-institutional student chemistry group and has helped prepare and send several of those undergraduate students to present posters at national ACS meetings.
She appreciates new opportunities and environments that foster growth, and she looks forward to providing opportunities for students to explore and engage in STEM related careers. Pamela has a brown belt in Tomiki Aikido and walks dogs at Humane Colorado every week.
Outstanding Inclusive Excellence - Cecilio Alvarez-Gajewsky, Assistant Director, CLAS Advising 
Cecilio grew up in El Paso, Texas. A proud son of immigrant parents, he is a first-generation college student and earned his B.A. in English Literature from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and his M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland in College Park. Cecilio joined CU Denver and the CLAS Academic Advising team in the fall of 2012 and since 2020 has been supporting and leading the team in his role as Assistant Director.
In his nearly 20-year career in higher education, Cecilio has found purpose in helping create environments in which students feel they belong; connecting students with meaningful experiences; and working to design the supports that facilitate students’ success. In addition to continuing his work with students in his current role, Cecilio is happy to be committing his energy in service of our CLAS Academic Advising team members and ensuring they have the support they need to do their best work with students. Most recently, Cecilio was recognized by the college and campus for his work to advance salary equity for academic advising team members in CLAS.
In his free time, Cecilio finds joy in long naps, exploring new restaurants, keeping up with his favorite TV and trivia shows, attending concerts, and traveling with his husband and better half, David.
Outstanding Staff Award - Munira Lantz, Senior Professional, Department of Integrative Biology 
Dr. Munira Lantz completed her BS in Biology from CU Denver in August of 2005 and immediately started an MS in Microbiology focused on removing mercury from Native American artifacts using naturally occurring bacteria. She started teaching microbiology labs in August of 2006 and became the Biology Department Microbiology Lab Coordinator upon completion of her MS in 2008. Since then, Dr. Lantz has completed an MS in Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in toxicology (2013) and a PhD where she physiologically characterized a newly identified bacteria isolated from the South Platte River (2019).
Throughout that time, Dr. Lantz has continued her role as the Microbiology Laboratory Coordinator in addition to taking on additional responsibilities including managing the budget that supports the department teaching labs.
Dr. Lantz hopes to continue her career in the Department of Integrative Biology by instilling her love and appreciation of bacteria in students taking General Microbiology as they prepare for future programs and endeavors.