Support Madison's Forensic Psychology Dream

Hi, my name is Madison, and I’m on a mission to turn my past into purpose.

I’m graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in May 2025 with two bachelor’s degrees—one in Criminology and one in Psychology. I’m proud to share that I’ve recently been accepted into my top graduate school, the University of Denver’s Master’s Program in Forensic Psychology—one of the most prestigious and competitive programs in the country.

How I Got Here

My path to higher education wasn’t easy. I grew up facing significant adversity, including family homelessness, trauma, and surviving crime. I didn’t always believe college—or even stability—was in the cards for me. But during my senior year of high school, I made the life-changing decision to pursue higher education.

My interest in the criminal justice and psychology fields has always been rooted in personal experience. In 2025, I was honored to speak at the Life Stories Gala, sharing my journey as a survivor of crime and how I turned that pain into resilience, strength, and purpose.

Why I Need Your Help

The University of Denver (DU) is known for its world-class forensic psychology training and faculty. It’s also a private university with a high cost of attendance—about $87,000 per year. I’ve received a $24,000 scholarship spread over two years, and I’ve been actively applying for additional grants, fellowships, and scholarships to offset costs.

Despite these efforts, the remaining expenses—tuition, housing, transportation, and other living costs—mean taking on a large amount of student debt. As a first-generation college student, this makes climbing the socioeconomic ladder even more difficult. But I’m determined.

My Goals

My ultimate dream is to become a forensic psychologist and later pursue a PhD or PsyD. I want to contribute meaningfully to the intersection of psychology and the justice system—supporting trauma survivors, improving mental health care within the legal system, and conducting research that drives systemic change.

Who I Am as a Student

I am proud of my academic achievements:

Member of Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society)

Member of Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)

McNair Scholar, preparing first-generation students for doctoral study

Presenter at four research conferences

Maintained a high GPA while working and volunteering

Education has changed my life—and I believe that, with your support, I can keep going.

Anything you can give—whether it’s $5 or simply sharing my story—brings me one step closer to my goal. Thank you for believing in me.