For Lerea Arellano (Mares), a 2015 graduate of the Hasan School of Business, the foundation for her career began not just in the classroom, but at the front of it.
During her time at CSU Pueblo, Lerea worked as an accounting tutor through the Hasan School of Business. That experience became one of the most impactful parts of her college journey.
“Tutoring required me to break down complex concepts, explain step by step processes and adjust my approach based on how each student learned,” she shares. “They say the best way to learn is to teach, and I truly believe that experience helped prepare me for the work I do now.”
Today, those same skills are central to her career. As a mortgage professional, Lerea guides clients through the homebuying and lending process, ensuring they fully understand their loan options and terms. Her ability to educate, simplify complex information, and meet clients where they are has become a hallmark of her professional success.
Lerea’s path at CSU Pueblo began as a math major. “I’m one of the few people who genuinely loves math,” she says. But like many students, she began to reflect on her long term goals and realized she wanted a career that allowed her to work directly with people.
She transferred her credits and switched to business, where a wide range of courses expanded her perspective. One of the most influential classes was entrepreneurship, where she discovered her desire to eventually run her own business.
After graduation, Lerea earned a position as a lender at a bank that required both a strong GPA and a college degree. That opportunity launched a seven year career spanning Denver and Summit County, where she worked on a wide variety of loans, including residential construction, commercial projects, car washes, and even hot springs.
With years of experience under her belt, Lerea returned home to Pueblo and took a leap of faith. Today, she runs her own mortgage office in Downtown Pueblo with CrossCountry Mortgage. She specializes in helping clients purchase residential real estate and in developing refinancing strategies that allow homeowners to leverage their equity to consolidate debt or achieve larger financial goals.
Lerea encourages students and recent graduates to trust the process.
“Trust that your education will open doors, even if you can’t see how yet. Whether it’s your GPA, an internship, someone you meet, or the discipline you develop, your educational experience will shape you and create opportunities.”
She emphasizes that there are no shortcuts. “Sometimes success comes quickly, and sometimes it takes years of learning and gaining experience before you land your dream role. Don’t underestimate the value of the work you’re putting in now.”
One of Lerea’s proudest accomplishments since graduating is her continued commitment to serving the community she calls home. She has served on several boards and is currently on the board for Habitat for Humanity of Pueblo.
This year, the organization’s goal is to build four homes for families earning below the area median income. “Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” she says.
While living outside of Pueblo for seven years, Lerea was not able to stay as connected to CSU Pueblo as she would have liked. Since returning, she has welcomed opportunities to reconnect and give back.
“CSU Pueblo played an important role in shaping my career path, and I’m always excited to support the Thunderwolf community whenever possible.”
