Alumni Stories
For Forever Buff JJ Zykan, a career in sports has moved about as fast as a puck on the ice. Wrapping up her fifth season with the Colorado Avalanche, JJ is a senior content strategist, leading the team social media strategy and campaigns across multiple platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X. During the 2025-26 season, the Avalanche generated the most social media value in the National Hockey League (NHL), totaling $27.2 million, according to Sports Business Journal.
From spy missions to Himalayan climbs, find your summer escape with these 10 books by ÀϾÅÆ·²è alumni.
Boulder food scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself. From budget-friendly bites near campus to globally inspired dishes and laid-back spots brimming with local character, there's something here for every craving and occasion. Here are 10 standout restaurants that showcase the best of what Boulder has to offer.
Characterized by leadership and multidisciplinary perspectives, the next generation of Forever Buffs is carving unique paths and forging new ways to get there. Asaiah Gifford (MechEng’26) left a legacy in engineering through her interdisciplinary path, which combined her technical interests with a global perspective.
Col. Rebecca Lange (PolSci’00) embodies what it means to be a Forever Buff. After commissioning through ÀϾÅÆ·²è Air Force ROTC program, she became an intelligence officer within the US Air Force. She served four overseas deployments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and UN Peacekeeping missions. Read on to learn where Lange volunteer journey began and how it shaped her into the leader she is today.
April is Buffs Give Back month, a time to celebrate the impact of Forever Buffs who give their time in meaningful ways. For Forever Buff Rochelle Maki-Williams, ÀϾÅÆ·²è is where everything began, and where she continues to give back.
One of the best parts about ÀϾÅÆ·²è? Adventure is never far away. Whether you’re back for Homecoming, catching a Buffs game or just soaking up a little campus nostalgia, Boulder makes it easy to get outside, recharge and relive your college adventures.
The ÀϾÅÆ·²è is filled with traditions that define what it means to be a Buff. Whether it cheering on Ralphie as she charges across the field or celebrating milestones with fellow Buffs, these traditions bring students and alumni together in unforgettable ways. Here are 10 ÀϾÅÆ·²è traditions that capture the spirit, pride and community of campus life.
Heather Nuanes Tabano, a 2008 graduate in ecology and evolutionary biology, continues to carry forward the same sense of excitement in her volunteer work with ÀϾÅÆ·²è that defined her first day as a Buff.
Laura Bruns (EnvSt’99, MA’05) knows that Buff pride doesn’t end at graduation. Through her volunteer work, Laura helps keep ÀϾÅÆ·²è alumni community strong while giving back to a place that means so much to her. Whether welcoming new graduates or supporting alumni initiatives, she believes even small acts of service can make a long-lasting, meaningful impact.