Meet Nicolas Tamayo | Incoming Fulbright Fellow & University of Colorado Boulder Grad

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicolas Tamayo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicolas, what do you attribute your success to?
I think the biggest factor in finding success is finding the courage to say “yes.” It’s cheesy and cliché, but it’s also true. Saying “yes” leads to opportunities you never even thought were possible. For me, saying “yes” meant submitting applications for positions I didn’t think I could be qualified for– that’s how I ended up working as an LGBTQ+ collections intern at History Colorado, an organization that preserves and interprets Colorado’s history. It means trying new things I thought I might be bad at, like teaching or tutoring. And, above all, it means meeting new people who would prove to be essential in finding myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Over the next year, I’m excited to begin my work as a Fulbright Fellow & English Teaching Assistant in Montpellier, France. The Fulbright Program is an international educational and cultural exchange program that offers grants to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Being a part of this prestigious program is the culmination of everything I’ve been working towards and studying for, and I’m extremely grateful that I’ve been selected to participate. As a first-generation student at the University of Colorado Boulder, I struggled to acclimate to my new environment for the first few years. I had to advocate for myself at every turn, and, with the support of those around me, I was able to make the most out of my time there. Here’s a list of just a few of the things I was able to accomplish throughout my time as a student: Dual degrees in Journalism and French with a Minor in Multicultural Leadership Studies (with distinction), President of the College of Media, Communications and Information’s (CMCI) Student Government, Lifetime Member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the Journalism & Mass Communication Honor Society, 2022-2023 Student Leader of the Year for work with Multicultural Leadership Scholars, 2024 William W. White Outstanding Senior in Journalism, 2024 Senior Essay Award in French, and so much more. It wasn’t easy, but I kept fighting to achieve my dreams.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, growing up in Colorado Springs and spending the past four years in Boulder, so my favorite places span all across the state. I’m a big fan of bookstores, but some of my favorites are the iconic Tattered Cover on Colfax, Trident Booksellers and Café in Boulder, and Westside Stories in Colorado Springs. I’m also a coffee-lover, and I recommend January Coffee in Boulder, Jubilee Roasting in Denver, and Kangaroo Coffee in Colorado Springs. Some of my other favorite activities include showing folks Pikes Peak, affectionately branded as “America’s Mountain,” the well-loved Chautauqua Park in Boulder, and the History Colorado Center in Denver. Finally, I always make a point of sending folks home with a baked treat from one of my favorite bakeries, whether it be Shamane’s in Boulder, La Baguette in Old Colorado City, or Boonzaaijer’s in Colorado Springs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the most influential and formative groups of people that had a lasting impact on me are those that are involved with the Multicultural Leadership Scholars (MLS) program at the University of Colorado Boulder. It was mentors like Dr. Krishna Pattisapu, Dr. Johanna Maes, Dr. Sabrina Sideris and Beatriz Salazar Núñez that encouraged me to keep going. It was friends like Sujei Perla Martinez and Cassy Vega, my partners for the final MLS capstone project, that helped me grow. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far, and I am forever grateful that they played such a key role throughout my educational and professional journeys.

Website: https://nictamayo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/je_suis_nic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-tamayo/

Image Credits
Main personal photo credits to Kimberly Coffin, CMCI Multimedia Production Manager
1. COLORADO, Boulder – Nic Tamayo, ‘Hallett Hall Selfie’
2. COLORADO, Boulder – Kimberly Coffin, ‘Graduation’
3. COLORADO, Boulder – Unknown, ‘Grad Bash Celebration with Sujei Perla Martinez’
4. FRANCE, Paris – Nic Tamayo, ‘The Tower from Sacre Coeur’ – 2023
5. FRANCE, Paris – Emma Guan, ‘Luxembourg Gardens with Dani Urbina’
6. MASSACHUSETTS, Boston – Sujei Perla Martiez, ‘Rainy Day Outside the Boston Public Library’
7. NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam- by Nic Tamayo, ‘Pride in the Streets’ – 2023
8. WASHINGTON, Seattle – Sujei Perla Marinez, ‘In front of Pike Place Public Market’
All other photos credited in file name