Hi! My name is Jay Daines, I use He/They pronouns, and I’m majoring in English Education.

I started my college career unable to afford to attend a large university or full-time. I instead attended online classes part-time at Pikes Peak Community College while focusing more on work. After about 4 years, I had completed my Associate Degree and was ready to attend a larger university. I chose CSU because of the various connections I had been forming over those 4 years. Despite not previously attending CSU, I had been there plenty of times as a friend and community member, and I wanted to finally attend as a student because it is where I felt I belong. The feeling of belonging is in large part thanks to the ALVS. 

My partner had already been attending CSU and connected with the ALVS, eventually working there as a peer advisor. They invited me to numerous events and always made me feel welcome like I was part of the team. When I finally transferred to CSU, it made a world of difference to have a place that already felt like home waiting for me. Despite not knowing where any of my classes were and getting used to the sheer amount of people, I had a place I could go with other adult learners with their own non-traditional journeys to take a breather. Almost immediately, I joined the ALVS team as a Program Assistant where I now welcome people to the office, make so much coffee, and help others feel the same sense of belonging I feel. 

Eventually, I plan on becoming a High-School English teacher and published Author. In my free time, I like to read, write, draw, and play video games.