Jyotsna Kaycee / Student Story

Jyotsna is a student seeking her masters degree at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and was a member of our fall semester Venetucci Farms Project.

I’m Jyotsna, (pronounced J-oats-na). I came to Colorado because my husband got stationed at Fort Carson, but because I am originally from Nepal, coming to Colorado with its mountains, felt like coming home.

I joined the QUAD in the summer, after finishing my master’s in public administration from UCCS, because I was looking to continue my commitment to Colorado Springs while also doing something that fit my personal and professional needs. QUAD was the perfect place for learning, networking and making friendships that I am sure will last for a very long time. I came back for the fall because I absolutely fell in love with the QUAD and with the Venetucci Farm project. Through that project, I have learned so much about collaboration, teamwork and working around problems and turning them into opportunities. The QUAD has helped me prepare for the job I just started with RTD Denver. The QUAD can be looked at as a microcosm of the world, with students and personalities coming from four different schools, from different disciplines and walks of life. Working in a collaborative, innovative and oftentimes ambiguous area during the QUAD was invaluable to me, because I use the skills I have learned here every day.  In my job working for a public transit agency, I have to collaborate with various city governments, non-profits and for-profit agencies and I still work in that very ambiguous area morphing myself and my skills into whatever they need to be for a specific project. 

QUAD is an asset to not only Colorado Springs but to our state and I expect it will help develop and hone future leaders who will find innovative ways to move our state forward.

In my limited free time, I like to go on hikes with my dog, hit up happy hour with my friends (I know where every happy hour in COS is, so I’m a good resource), and I love the theater. I cannot thank the QUAD enough for giving me the space and opportunity to grow and find my path. For anyone who’s considering the QUAD, I strongly recommend you send that application in now, and feel free to contact me if you want to have an honest open conversation about what it can be for you. Cheers!