New Americans Community Advisory Committee

Apply to the New Americans Community Advisory Committee

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:

1. Invite and collect feedback and experiences on key topics affecting immigrants and refugees across Colorado.

2. Review state-led programs and initiatives and make recommendations for improving immigrant inclusion and access.

3. 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. 

Farduus Ahmed

Immigrant and Refugee Community Engagement Advocate

Vera Idam Azuka

IT Technician/Network Administrator, Publisher, Writer

Selma Hamid

Senior Finance Coordinator, International Rescue Committee

Aurangzaib Sharifi

Community Activist in Afghan Community Colorado, Journalist, Translator, Cultural Advisor

Maria Gonzalez

Entrepreneur, Nonprofit Lead

Nebiyu Asfaw

Co-Founder of the Taste of Ethiopia Festival, African diaspora Advocate/Organizer

Tania Chairez

Founder & CEO of Convivir Colorado

Alejandra Ospina

Public Relations Specialist, Immigrant and Refugee Advocate

Ndeye Ndao

International Relations, MA in Public Administration (Nonprofit Management and Leadership)

Lailey Hashem

Vice President of Metropolitan North Islamic Center in Northglenn, Community Navigator for Hope Communities, Muslim Youth for Positive Impact Board member, Professional Interpreter for Dari and Pashto

Luis Antezana

Founder and CEO at Juntos2College

Ricardo Perez

Community Organizer and Leadership Development Trainer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP)

Renzo R Walton

Local Immigrant Community Worker, Integrated Community in Routt and Moffat Counties

Mohamed Mahad

Community College Instructor, Community Building Initiatives Organizer in Greeley and Fort Morgan

Lilia Vierya

Immigrant and Refugee Community Advocate for a Non-profit in Morgan

Leida Karina Urrego

BS Psychology, MA in Psychopathology

Dr. Eric Ishiwata

Colorado State University Ethnic Studies Professor, B.A. Colorado State University, Ph.D. University of Hawaii, Monoa

Yulisa Muñoz Tena

BS in Social Work Minor in Women & Gender Studies
 

Araceli Calderon

Education and Parent Involvement Advocate

Melanin Armendariz

Colorado State University Student, Human Development and Family Studies with concentration in Early Childhood Professions and Minor in Spanish

Meg Sagaria-Barritt

Integration Partnerships Coordinator, Colorado Refugee Services Program

Sohaila Fariyar

Legislative Specialist, Afghan National Assembly

Nancy M. Díaz Escápite

Executive Director of Lamar Unidos, former Treasurer and Board Member of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), Social Justice Advocate, and longtime Community Organizer for Rural Immigrants in Southern Colorado

Dee Daniels Scriven

Director of Colorado’s Office of New Americans, previously Refugee Policy Counsel at the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Assistant Attorney General in Child Protection, Assistant Public Defender, International Human Rights Attorney in Peru

Cecilia Jaquez Gomez

Read the Full Bio of the Committee Members and Staff Here