The New Americans Community Advisory Committee (NACAC) is an important committee for New American voices in Colorado. This committee is composed of refugee and immigrant leaders from across the state, with diverse ages, races, ethnicities, native tongues, gender/sexual orientation, and professional backgrounds.
The committee has three core purposes:
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Invite and collect feedback and experiences on key topics affecting immigrants and refugees across Colorado.
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Review state-led programs and initiatives and make recommendations for improving immigrant inclusion and access.
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Strengthen committee members' understanding of how state government works to build a statewide network of leaders who can help bridge between state government and communities ongoing
The NACAC is supported in their work by the Office of New Americans, the Colorado Refugee Services Program and Colorado State University's Office of Engagement and Extension. We welcome state partners with the committee to help the Polis Administration build a Colorado for all.
New Americans Community Advisory Committee
Alan Muñoz Valenciano
B.A. Sociology with concentration in Criminal Justice, Community Engagement Advocate
Alejandra Ospina
Public Relations Specialist, Immigrant and Refugee Advocate
Araceli Calderon
Education and Parent Involvement Advocate
Carolina Díaz Ovalle
Latino and Immigrant Community Advocate
Farduus Ahmed
Immigrant and Refugee Community Engagement Advocate
Houefa Akpamoli
Health Equity Manager for the Northeast Colorado Health Department
Lailey Hashem
Muslim Youth for Positive Impact Board member, Professional Interpreter for Dari and Pashto
Leida Karina Urrego
B.S. Psychology, M.A. in Psychopathology
Lilia Vierya
Immigrant and Refugee Community Advocate for a Non-profit in Morgan
Luis Antezana
Founder and CEO at Juntos2College
Maria Gonzalez
Entrepreneur, Nonprofit Lead
Nadeen Ibrahim
Recipient of the Spring Institute Intercultural Champion Award and Council on American Islamic Relations Call to Service Award. B.S. in Public Health, M.A. Public Policy from the University of Oxford, England.
Melanin Armendariz
Colorado State University Student, Human Development and Family Studies with concentration in Early Childhood Professions and Minor in Spanish
Mohamed Mahad
Community College Instructor, Community Building Initiatives Organizer in Greeley and Fort Morgan
Nancy M. Díaz Escápite
Social Justice Advocate, and longtime Community Organizer for Rural Immigrants in Southern Colorado
Ndeye Ndao
International Relations, M.A. in Public Administration (Nonprofit Management and Leadership)
Ricardo Perez
Community Organizer and Leadership Development Trainer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP)
Selma Hamid
Senior Finance Coordinator, International Rescue Committee
Tania Chairez
Founder and CEO of Convivir Colorado
Vera Idam Azuka
IT Technician/Network Administrator, Publisher, Writer