Puksta Scholars Program

Opportunities for Students

The DU Puksta Scholars Program is an enriching four-year scholarship program and community open to Colorado high school students who have been accepted to the University of Denver and who have an interest in social justice.

The 2025 Puksta Application is now closed. Check back in January 2026 for the next application cycle.

In the meantime, you can view the application questions below:

View Application Questions
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Puksta Scholar Experience

Scholars will craft personal Action Plans and carry out collaborative work to address social change issues of interest. Throughout the four-year program, Scholars develop a meaningful commitment to community work, develop civic skills, create sustainable community partnerships, and receive mentorship. While scholars work on independent or small group public work projects, they also work together as a larger Puksta community.

The DU Puksta Scholars program is a collaboration between the Center for Community Engagement (CCESL) and the Passion to Action: Living and Learning Communities.

First year Puksta Scholars participate in the ChangeMakers Living & Learning Community, learning alongside peers by enrolling in one 2-credit course in the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters., Puksta Scholars who elect to live on campus their first year will be placed with similarly interested students in Johns-McFarlane (J-Mac) or Dimond Family Residential Village (DFRV). 

To see our current Puksta Scholars, check out our Puksta Profiles. 

Core Concepts Scholars Learn

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    Collaborative Social Change Relationships

    Through meaningful collaborations with communities, Scholars develop relationships rooted in reciprocity, mutuality, and collaboration. Among these and other pathways, Scholars develop the knowledge, skills, and commitments to become agents of collaborative change. 

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    Community Organizing and Emergent Strategy 

    We apply the philosophy and skills of the community organizing process to inform how Scholars build partnerships for community engagement. We also value the principles and elements of Emergent Strategy in our quest to fulfill our vision of collaborating with communities to improve lives.  

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    Critical Civic Engagement 

    Each Scholar will engage in a variety of activities to develop their civic knowledge, skills, dispositions, and experiences that are centered around the eco-social justice issues and communities they are most passionate about. Through pathways such as contextualizing social justice issues, anti-oppression analysis, and critical reflection, Scholars will serve as models of civic and social responsibility promoting positive change within our communities.

Program Benefits

Mentorship & Support

Scholars receive support in integrating their experiences, academics, skills, and passions to advance their civic identity development and pursuit of social justice with communities. This is done using the community organizing model via curricular and cocurricular trainings and critical reflection. 

Current Puksta Scholars say they value the meaningful commitment to community-engaged social justice work that is strengthened by coursework, program curriculum and action planning, regular meetings, retreats, mentorship, and group collaboration.  

Participation in the ChangeMakers Living & Learning Community for 1st Year Students 

First-year Puksta Scholars are a part of the ChangeMakers Living & Learning Community, translating their passion to action, alongside likeminded peers, a faculty mentor, and staff. Students will learn together through a sequence of classes offered by the Center for Community Engagement (CCESL) and take part in events both in and out of the classroom. 

Inclusive Community 

Scholars enjoy the inclusive community, which provides a sense of solidarity among diverse individuals and an engaging and fun atmosphere that promotes long-term friendships and personal growth. 

Scholarship 

The annual scholarship of $7,500 is renewable for four years. Scholars also have access to trainings, retreats, and funding for projects.  

Community Engagement for the Public Good Certificate (optional) 

The first year sequence of courses are part of the pathway to the academic Community Engagement for the Public Good certificate. Students can receive independent study or internship credits for their Puksta project, which fulfill the remaining certificate requirements.   

Intercollegiate Program Opportunities 

The University of Denver Puksta Scholars Program works closely with the Puksta Scholars Programs at Colorado State University, Metro State University of Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Colorado Denver. All five programs are generously funded by the Puksta Foundation. 

A community that has welcomed me with open arms and have always been a huge support system for me. Puksta Scholar

Application Process

  • Eligibility

    Who can apply?

    Incoming first-year students who are Colorado residents and have financial need can apply for the Puksta Scholars Program after receiving their letter of acceptance from DU's Office of Admission. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on demonstrated financial need, defined as eligible for the federal Pell Grant (as determined by the FAFSA).

  • Selection Criteria

    What are the criteria?

    Puksta Scholars are selected based on their demonstrated interest in:

    • developing personal commitments to social justice and the public good
    • critically reflecting on their experiences, identities, and values
    • civic engagement, academic learning, and engagement with a diverse community

    Applicants are not expected to enter the program with community engagement experience. We encourage anyone interested in making a difference and addressing injustice to apply. Additionally, geographic diversity is considered, and all applicants must demonstrate financial need, which is evaluated by DU’s Office of Financial Aid.

  • Selection Process

    How are Scholars chosen?

    Applications are reviewed by DU staff mentors, and qualifying applicants will be invited for personal interviews. Financial need is evaluated by DU's Office of Financial Aid.

Contact

 

John Macikas, Associate Director

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The 2025 Puksta Application is now closed. Check back in January 2026 for the next application cycle.

In the meantime, you can view the application questions below:

View Application Questions