When Ethan Bernabei first joined CSU Pueblo, it wasn’t as a student. It was as the voice on the other end of the line, serving as the university’s campus operator. For 12 years, he had worked in retail, a job that paid the bills but didn’t feed his sense of purpose. When the opportunity came to join the CSU Pueblo community as staff, he saw more than a job. He saw a pathway to something greater.
“I read a statistic that said if a parent has a college degree, their child is more likely to go to college too,” Ethan said. “That stuck with me. I want my son to see what’s possible.”
Now an online student in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program through Extended Studies, Ethan is balancing many roles including full-time employee, student, husband to Jasia, and dad to three-year-old Kai. As a first-generation college student whose mother didn’t finish high school, pursuing higher education is not just about his own future. It is about setting an example.
“In high school, college wasn’t really talked about for me,” Ethan said. “I want my son to grow up knowing it’s an option and a goal worth working toward.”
This fall, your gift can be the paddle that helps another student navigate toward their goals. Please consider giving today to the CSU Pueblo Foundation and making an impact that lasts a lifetime.