Hi, I’m Nila! I’m majoring in civil engineering with plans to start out in water utilities and eventually work my way into environmental engineering. My long-term goal is to build infrastructure inside national parks that supports greater environmental protection. I grew up five miles from a national forest in Florida, so any job that lets me work in nature while protecting it sounds like a dream to me.

Before CSU, I was studying programming. I’d been on that path since high school and never had a backup plan, so when a bad internship made me realize I hated the field, I felt like I’d dug myself into a hole with no way out. I joined the military to see more of the world and buy myself time to figure things out. After my enlistment, I gave programming one more shot with fresh eyes and confirmed it still wasn’t for me. For a while I honestly thought I was doomed to hate my job forever. But this time I had VA benefits, and they made it possible to move to Colorado and attend CSU at little cost.

ALVS was a huge part of my transition here. It connected me to campus resources, clubs, and activities, and gave me a community that’s been instrumental to my growth over the past few semesters. As a peer advisor, I want to pass that on by helping other students find the social side of CSU and encouraging them to jump in.

Outside of school, I love to skate, play bass, and catch live music. I also know firsthand that VA benefits can be a lot to figure out at first, and I’ve spent years learning the ins and outs. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!