As the fall semester comes to a close, CU Denver Business School is proud to celebrate five outstanding graduates. Spanning a range of fields, this notable group has not only succeeded within the classroom but also championed their passions in their communities. From discovering spaces for diverse voices to conquering healthcare hurdles, business will continue to be a force for good in the compassionate and capable hands of this class.
Outstanding Undergraduate Students
Thao Nguyen ’25
BSBA Information Systems, Minor in Business Analytics and Finance
Thao Nguyen grew up watching her mother single-handedly run a coffee shop in rural Vietnam. Her mother was truly doing it all herself, managing orders, expenses, and the trappings of business without digital tools. The technological gap fascinated Nguyen and eventually drew her to information systems.
As an international first-generation student, Nguyen was on her own, navigating financial aid, internships, and a new education system. At first, she struggled with doubt, unsure of where she fit. “I remember my early group projects, when I hesitated to speak up, worried that my ideas would not carry the same weight as others. Over time, I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest voice, but the most prepared one.”
“I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest voice, but the most prepared one.”
Thao Nguyen
Hailey Wong ’25
BSBA Accounting, Minor in Psychology
Throughout her time at CU Denver Business School, Hailey Wong balanced school, part-time jobs, and multiple internships at companies such as Excel Energy, the Department of the Interior, Ovintiv, and SM Energy. In addition to this already large workload, Wong took every opportunity to give back to the Denver community. Between class and work, she volunteered with Reading Partners at a local elementary school, empowering students through literacy. She also volunteered with the Denver Child Advocacy Center and participated in on-campus cleanups.
Wong has been a voice and advocate for her fellow students and served as a student representative on the CU Denver Business School Board of Advisors, acting as a student body representative to faculty, sponsors, and industry leaders.
After graduating, Wong plans to stay with CU Denver Business School and complete her Master of Science in Accounting, in addition to her upcoming internships with Deloitte and KPMG. After finishing her schooling, she hopes to stay on with one of these companies. She plans to use her experience and knowledge to help marginalized and low-income communities navigate their taxes.
Outstanding Graduate Students
Munguntsetseg Iderkhuu MS ’25
MS in Accounting
Throughout her time at CU Denver Business School, Munguntsetseg Iderkhuu balanced graduate coursework with the challenges of being an international student adapting to a new country and academic system. Raised in a small microdistrict in Mongolia, she first dreamed of studying in the U.S. and was inspired by close friends who pushed each other to imagine bigger futures. She later discovered a forgotten 2019 letter to her future self that read: “I will graduate from the University of Colorado.” Achieving that intention affirmed how far those early dreams carried her.
While pursuing her degree, Iderkhuu volunteered with the MNG Summit nonprofit, organising networking events and training sessions for young Mongolian professionals. She also supported local immigrant-owned small businesses with accounting and tax challenges, strengthening her community ties and gaining practical experience that helped her secure an internship and, ultimately, a job offer with Plante Moran’s international tax department, where she became the firm’s first employee from Mongolia.
Her desire to help others stemmed from the support of her friends. Not knowing how to return the favor, her father guided and said, “You give back by giving forward.” After openly sharing her internship journey online, she began mentoring international students on resumes, interviews, and navigating the U.S. job market, offering the support she once needed herself.
After graduating, Iderkhuu plans to continue her work in international tax while expanding her mentorship efforts for international and immigrant students. Grounded in the dreams she once shared with friends, and the principle of giving forward, she hopes to keep opening doors for those who follow her path.
“You give back by giving forward.”
Munguntsetseg Iderkhuu
Victoria Pulsipher MBA ’25
Throughout her time in the CU Denver MBA program, Victoria Pulsipher balanced graduate coursework with full-time work in cancer care, while raising three children and supporting her family through significant life events. During her first semester, she temporarily stepped away from classes when her father suffered a life-threatening stroke. Pulsipher took FMLA leave to help her parents navigate the healthcare system, insurance, and rehabilitation, a responsibility she managed while maintaining her academic standing and progress in the program.
In addition to her demanding career in oncology, where she contributes directly to life-saving stem cell transplant services, Pulsipher consistently finds ways to give back to the community. She volunteers with the Aurora Animal Shelter as a medical and behavioural foster, providing at-risk animals with a safe environment to recover and become adoption-ready. Her home serves as both a sanctuary for animals in need and a support system for the shelter’s limited space.
Her academic journey, from earning an associate degree while raising young children, to completing her bachelor’s degree in 17 years after her initial attempt, to pursuing her MBA, reflects her resilience and commitment to creating opportunity for herself and her family.
After graduating, Pulsipher plans to advance into executive leadership roles within her organisation, leveraging her MBA specialization in entrepreneurship and the global insights she gained during her immersive study abroad experience in Munich and Prague. In the future, she hopes to build her own business while continuing to advocate for individuals who, like her, are striving to succeed while managing complex personal responsibilities.
FaM Academic Excellence & Outstanding Community Impact Awards
Carolina Munoz ’25
BSBA Marketing
When she first embarked on her college journey, Carolina Munoz felt a little out of step. As a first-generation student, she was navigating college largely on her own while grappling with the concern that, as a Latina, the business world wouldn’t have space for her. One day, when wandering through CU Denver’s annual Block Party, Munoz was introduced to the First Generation and Multicultural Program (FaM) and instantly something clicked. As part of FaM, she said, “I found more than resources; I found a home.”
Through the opportunities and community she found within FaM, she gained more confidence, began to see open doors where she had seen only barriers to success, and realized that not only is there space for her in the business world, but the industry also needs diverse voices like hers.
Despite this newfound confidence, securing an internship did not come easy, but Munoz persevered and blazed her own trail. Through unparalleled tenacity, she forged ahead through months of rejections and dead ends to find a fit. Her dedication paid off, and she became the first Marketing and Events Intern at Dairy Block.
“FaM showed me that business is not a world reserved for a select few in suits; it is a place built on connection, authenticity, and support. The program taught me that my lived experiences are not obstacles but strengths, and that my voice, perspective, and identity as a first-generation Latina enrich every room I enter.”
CU Denver Business School looks forward to each of these graduates’ bright futures, as they build impactful legacies and foster the mission of opening doors and lowering barriers in Denver and around the world.
