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When Amy Moreno-Sherwood stepped into her role as Director of the��Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Center in 2022, she brought with her not only a strong variety of experiences in higher education, but a personal understanding of what it means to navigate college as a first-generation student in STEM.��

Now, she’s being recognized across the entire University of Colorado system for her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion.

Moreno-Sherwood is the recipient of the 2025��, one of the university’s highest honors for individuals who go above and beyond to build inclusive and empowering communities. The annual awards celebrate those who have made significant contributions to removing barriers and embedding inclusivity into the CU community.��

Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said Moreno-Sherwood’s unwavering commitment has profoundly impacted the college community.��

“Amy’s leadership of the BOLD Center has elevated efforts to support engineering students of all backgrounds,” Molenaar said. “Amy’s dedication and innovative approach are truly inspiring. Her recognition with the President’s Inclusive Excellence Award is a testament to her exceptional contributions.”

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Moreno-Sherwood has called CU С����Ƶ home since 2010, holding a variety of student-facing and leadership roles across campus before joining the��College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2019.��

She earned degrees in Animal Science and Cultural Anthropology from Iowa State University, along with a master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and also holds a graduate certificate in Engineering Leadership and Management from CU С����Ƶ.

As the CU С����Ƶ campus honoree, Moreno-Sherwood’s leadership of the BOLD Center has elevated efforts to support engineering students from historically marginalized backgrounds. Through scholarships, mentoring, academic services and student societies, the BOLD Center supports CU Engineering students to thrive personally and academically while preparing them to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.��

Now, in a full-circle moment, she leads the kind of program that helped shape her own journey in STEM.

We sat down with Amy to talk about how her personal journey informs her leadership, what drives her work and why inclusion is more than a goal, it’s a daily practice.

What first drew you to this kind of work in higher education?

Growing up, we didn’t have much. My parents were working class and childcare wasn’t always accessible, but we were given the space to explore the world around us. I was always curious about science, nature and how things worked and I carried that with me.

I was also the first in my immediate family to go to college. My mom got her GED and I remember being inspired by the teachers who believed in me. I always knew education could be life-changing. That belief never left me.

I ended up going to a research university not far from home, though I’d never set foot on the campus before. I was part of a multicultural scholars program and paired with a mentor I’m still in touch with today. Being in that program and studying science, just soaking up everything I could about the natural world, opened my eyes to how education could transform not only my life, but the lives of others.

Eventually, one of my professors asked me, “have you thought about working with students?” And that was the spark. I originally thought I’d become a secondary education teacher, but I kept coming back to higher education. It was a space where I could make an impact, helping others navigate access and gain opportunities.

What do people often misunderstand about leadership work in higher education?

It’s ongoing, it impacts people and never feels complete. This work isn’t something you turn on

��just from 9 to 5. It’s about constantly asking yourself, “how can I improve the places and communities I’m a part of?” It takes intention, care and self-reflection every day.

The work is also challenging. There are moments where you have to decenter yourself, really consider others’ perspectives and experiences, and that’s not always easy with the volume of work that there is to do. Sometimes the right or supportive thing is also the most uncomfortable or difficult thing. You need courage to keep showing up. That’s why it’s so important to stay rooted in your values and keep going.

You’ve been doing this kind of work for over two decades. What keeps you grounded and inspired?

Being in higher ed for 25 years now, I’ve had the privilege of working with many students, many of whom come from all backgrounds. What keeps me going is that connection to their stories and dreams.

When I reflect on my own college experience, I didn’t know I was first-generation until someone told me. I didn’t know I was navigating systems that weren’t built for me until I was in them. So now, when I see students who show up at the BOLD Center with all the potential in the world, I want to make sure we’re creating an environment where they can thrive, be seen and lead.

What advice would you offer to leaders working to bring inclusivity in spaces and places around them?��

Know your community. Find it. Cultivate it.

Leadership can be lonely, especially in a polarized environment. It’s easy to retreat or second-guess yourself when you’re navigating difficult decisions. But, we can’t do this work alone. I’ve found so much strength in community, in having people I can be authentic with, process challenges with and stay rooted with.

That’s part of why, over three years ago, I partnered with Dr. Patricia Gonzalez over at the College of Arts & Sciences to launch our Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leaders Community of Practice. We wanted a space where people leading this work could come together and feel supported. Even now, our tagline remains: “you’ll always have a seat at our table.” Because there are times when you won’t be invited into certain spaces, but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong.