The Alumni Partner Appreciation award is given to alumni within organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to CU Denver and its mission through opportunities for current students and alumni. Jim Paradise is a 1998 College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate and has generously provided his time and expertise to CU Denver students and staff by organizing an extended tour of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems campus. Jim went above and beyond what is expected of an effective alumni partner by organizing visits to Lockheed departments that corresponded with the interests of each student in attendance. 

In addition to lending his time to CU Denver, Jim was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award that he accepted at the White House for volunteering over 7,000 hours with NASA as a Solar System Ambassador. In this role, Jim visits schools, Boy/Girl Scout troops, local museums, and civic groups to share the exciting work undertaken by NASA and the history of space exploration. An engineer by trade, Jim now oversees Lockheed's internal leadership development programs. 

CU Denver Alumni is proud to award Jim the Alumni Partner Appreciation award for his commitment to CU Denver and its mission by providing opportunities for students and alumni to excel.