Supporting Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Success: Meet Dr. Geneva Sarcedo – Program Director, Academic Advisor and Instructor
Julia Cummings | School of Education and Human Development Dec 6, 2024
University of Colorado Denver is distinguished by its close student-faculty-staff engagement as students progress in their studies. Dr. Geneva Sarcedo, program director of CU Denver’s Call Me MISTER program, academic advisor in the School of Education & Human Development (SEHD) for 12 years, and instructor in the SEHD and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Ethnic Studies program, is committed to fostering the intellectual growth of all the students she encounters in her advising office and her classrooms. She is a shining example of an employee who empowers students from first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented backgrounds through mentorship, academic enrichment, and strengths-based leadership.
Dr. Sarcedo grew up in a single-parent household with a twin sister and older brother. Her mom was a preschool teacher who instilled a love for education. “I always knew I was going to college,” Sarcedo said. “My mom planted that seed early.” When the time was right, she spread her wings to experience a summer bridge program called Special Transistional Enrichment Program (STEP) through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and then her undergraduate years at University of California, Davis. She progressed into a peer advisor role in EOP during her junior and senior years, which inspired her career path and research interests.
“I joke that being an advisor takes something that in some ways I consider a personality flaw and capitalizes on it, because ever since I was little, I've been a little know-it-all,” she said. “I know the answer. I know where to get answers. And now it's my job to sit around and have the answer for other people and to use that knowledge to help and support others. That's something that I absolutely love.”
Sarcedo’s first full-time job was in Student Support Services at University of California, Davis. It was fulfilling time when she also earned a master’s in Higher Education Leadership from the University of San Francisco. Then, a family move to Denver brought about an academic advising opportunity at CU Denver. While in this role, she studied nights and weekends to earn her PhD in Education and Human Development with a concentration in critical studies in education. Having the PhD has contributed to her big picture thinking, data acumen, and first-hand experience with certain professors.
“I often say to my students ‘Here’s how this professor operates. This is what would be helpful for you when talking to this professor based on my experience with them in the classroom.’ Having that level of connection and empathy with current students has made me a better advisor.”
Lately, Dr. Sarcedo is thrilled about her new role as the program director for the new Call Me MISTER program which recruits individuals who are underrepresented in education fields and fosters their love of teaching through interesting curriculum, and unique professional development and travel opportunities.
“My research is on first-generation, low-income, college students of color and supporting them through undergraduate and what helps them be successful,” said Sarcedo. “My studies have found that student success for these populations boils down to positive relationships in college: peer-to-peer, support networks, faculty/staff, and family at home. It is one thing to have one supportive relationship, but the students who were the most successful have multiple layers of relationships that support them in their college journey. So, the more relationships and support a student can have, the more connections they make with other folks, the better they tend to do. Students’ sense of self-efficacy in how they approach schoolwork and campus involvement are also super important to positive outcomes. To work in a program where I get to see that research in action every day and be a large part of the support system for participants is so exciting for me. The additional layer of support in Call Me MISTER ensures students’ success. It is such a cool program.”
Sarcedo is on a path to “lift” as she “climbs.” Her goal is to inspire other first generation college students. “I am here opening doors for myself and others like me,” she said. “It is part of my mission to lessen the barriers and struggles for those who come next. I am dedicated to paying it back and fostering those ties.” One of the people she is motivated to lift up is her beautiful eight-year-old daughter who has the entire world ahead of her.
Incoming students may take a class from Dr. Sarcedo in Fall 2025. In Fall, you may take UNIV 1110 College Success with Dr. Sarcedo. Students in the SEHD’s Reseach and Evaluation, Counseling, Couple and Family Therapy, and Learning Developmental and Family Sciences programs are lucky to call her their academic advisor. The program she directs, Call Me MISTER, is a transfer-friendly education program that comes with full-tuition, a stipend, networking and travel opportunities.