Meet Three Anderson College Alumni
Three graduates who are changing the world
The Anderson College of Business and Computing at Regis provides students with business programs that combine an innovative business education with the technological foundation necessary in today's global marketplace. The College offers a wealth of undergraduate and graduate programs across six distinct departments, including Accounting, Economics and Finance; Management and Leadership; Marketing and MBA; Data Sciences; Computer and Cyber Sciences; and Information Technology.
We’re proud of the thousands of Anderson College graduates who are making a difference, driving innovation, inspiring others and creating a better world. We’re turning the spotlight on three of those alumni — all from different backgrounds — who are using their Regis education to advance their careers and impact the world.
Chad Powell, ’10, ‘19
Chad Powell’s first experience as a Regis student came in 2010 when he earned his B.S. in Nursing from the University. As a nurse, he found that using the electronic health record system at the hospital reignited his love for technology, and he developed a passion for applying data-driven knowledge to improving patient health outcomes.
Chad returned to Regis in 2018 to pursue the M.S. Health Informatics degree, augmenting his broad clinical experience as a nurse with a deeper understanding of technology and the power of information in health care settings. He now works as a Clinical Informatics and Data Team Manager at the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute Medical Group.
You’ve studied both nursing and health informatics at Regis. How do these experiences impact your work today?
I’ve worn a few hats over the years; I’m a jack of all trades and people often come to me for answers. The majority of my job today is with electronic health records systems — blood cancer treatment and protocols are some of the most complicated I’ve ever seen in medicine.
What drew you to return to Regis for your master’s degree?
One of the main reasons I decided to get my master’s at Regis was the small class sizes and individualized attention from faculty. Classes were uplifting and hands-on, professors are great and class sizes are ideal.
Did you find online classes were helpful in earning your degree?
I thought I wasn’t well suited for online [classes], but it quickly became the strongest feature of the program. I could study at my own pace and manage my workload around my schedule.
How did the Regis program prepare you to make a career shift into health informatics?
What we were being taught is on the edge of what’s about to happen in health care. We focused on the forefront of what’s new and what’s to come. This absolutely gave me a leg up.
Leidy Boyce, ‘20
Leidy Boyce came to Regis to explore new career opportunities in data science after working in the oil and gas industry for 12 years. Originally from Colombia, she holds an undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering from her home country, but decided she wanted to explore new career opportunities through Regis. She now works at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where she uses her data science skills to process and analyze transportation data, create dashboards, and perform statistical modeling and demand prediction for the Mobility, Behavior & Advanced Powertrains team.
What drew you to the Regis M.S. Data Science program?
I spent my early career working in geoscience and engineering for 12 years. I decided to learn new skills, branch out to a different field and learn something that can be applicable to any industry.
How did Regis prepare you for a career in data science?
Learning new open-source software and programming languages like Python and R can help you find any job in data science. Coding using Python and R, I use them in 90% of my daily work.
Any advice for aspiring data science professionals?
There are two tools used in the world of data science that you should master: programming languages like Python or R, or both, and learning GitHub skills and how to present your project work.
Ruben Martinez, ’07, ‘10
Originally hailing from New Mexico, Ruben Martinez came to Regis as an undergraduate to study business and management. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he stayed on at Regis to further his studies in the MBA program while also working as an assistant coach for the Ranger soccer team.
Shortly after earning his MBA, Ruben went on to co-found Glamping Hub, the leading online booking platform for unique lodging experiences, including luxury campsites, boutique hotels, rustic cabins and tree houses.
How did your experience as a Regis student prepare you for the business world?
The Regis programs challenged my abilities, provided me new tools and helped me stretch my skills. Taking on challenging subjects such as finance and accounting really helped me grow, as well as the chance to network and meet people from all walks of life.
What was the most valuable experience or knowledge you gained at Regis?
A [Regis education] pushes you to pursue something bigger than yourself. The level of discernment found in the courses encourages you to think critically before you execute.
Where did the idea for Glamping Hub come from?
The idea came from traveling abroad in Spain where I planned to take classes for 3 weeks. A year-and-a-half later, I was still there. I met my Spanish business partner, caught the travel bug and discovered unique outdoor accommodations. We came up with the idea [for Glamping Hub] and launched it. Fast forward, and I’m now the Chief Strategy Officer — most of my work is around developing new destinations.
Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Jump in and get a feel for it. A lot of people have the entrepreneurial spirit but wait too long because of perfection. Get out there and do a version of it instead of holding it close to the chest and waiting for the right time.
