CSU Student Opportunities

In their own words Fall 2025 Student Intern

Hi! My name is Sandra Bustamante, and I’m a Dandelions Rising intern for the 25-26 school year! I am a first-generation college student, and I identify as Mexican American. I am currently a 4th year majoring in Social Work. I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) and obtaining a License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW). I am hoping to work with BIPOC children and youth by providing mental health services and therapy. In the mental health field, there are not many people of color who practice therapy, and as a client, I find that it is essential to have someone in the field who shares the same identity as oneself. Growing up, I never had a therapist who shared the same cultural background as me, which made it difficult for me to be fully understood. I want to be able to My main focuses include early intervention, art therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

My interest in joining the Dandelions Rising team stemmed from my desire to work with youth, particularly BIPOC youth. I think it is valuable to embrace our culture at a young age since it can be hard to practice and embrace one’s own culture in a predominantly white setting. When I came across the Dandelions Rising website and read about Dr. Michelle Foster’s passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I knew that it was the right fit for me.

Some fun facts about me!

I love to go hiking and be out in nature!
My favorite foods include tacos de birria, ceviche, and posole.

I can’t wait to be working with you all! Finding people who accept you as you are is so valuable to me. I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year and being part of this fantastic community!

Spring 2025 Student Interns

Shum Ahmad Dizayee

Hi! I’m Shum Ahmad Dizayee, and I’m an intern with Dandelions Rising! I’m from Kurdistan, Iraq, and I’m a proud first-generation student.

I’m currently a senior majoring in Social Work with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. After I graduate, I plan to pursue my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and eventually work toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My dream is to one day open my own practice to provide therapy for high-risk youth and families. My main areas of interest are trauma and all the different forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brain Mapping, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Strengths-Based Therapies!

My interest in Dandelions Rising sparked when Michelle Foster came to speak to my class about the organization. As a Middle Eastern, Muslim girl growing up in a mostly white community, hearing about what Dandelions does hit home for me. I wish I had a program like this when I was younger. I know what it feels like to not quite fit in and to navigate systems that weren’t built for someone like me. That’s why, right after Michelle’s presentation, I couldn’t wait to email her and ask if they were looking for interns. I’m so excited to be part of this amazing work!

Ava Mitchell

Hello! My name is Ava Mitchell, and I’m a Dandelions Rising intern for the spring 2025 semester. I am a senior in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Advocacy. I’m from Arizona, and I am a first-generation college student.

I am so grateful to be a Dandelions Rising intern because I love that it is a way for the BIPOC community to come together. In my future career, I want to allocate where funding is distributed within K-12 public school districts to minimize socioeconomic gaps. Being a Dandelions intern will help me in my future career to be a better advocate for the BIPOC community.

Colorado State University Human Development and Family Studies student Ava Mitchell