When first-year Marketing student Jabez Brown enrolled at CU Denver, he expected his life to be shaped by long work hours as much as study. To cover tuition and living costs, he would need to work six or seven days each week. Receiving the Gates Scholarship changed everything.

“It really lifted the pressure off me,” Jabez said. “Now I can focus more on school, on my mental health, and on things that will help me grow.”

Jabez grew up in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood, where his grandmother, mom, and uncle ran small businesses that taught him persistence and creativity. In middle and high school, he sold snacks to classmates, and today he runs a small resale business for shoes and clothes. As the oldest of three siblings and the first in his family to attend college, he wanted to set an example for his younger brother and sister.

When it came time to choose a university, Jabez looked for a place where he could keep growing while remaining connected to family. So he chose CU Denver. There, he found that CU Denver Business School supports multicultural students through programs like the First-Generation and Multicultural Business Program, which provides community, mentoring, and resources for first-generation and multicultural students; and the 4+1 option, a combined bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway. As he explored his options, Jabez also thought about what kind of work would keep him inspired. He chose marketing because he enjoys the creative side of business and the way communication connects people and ideas, and it lets him blend creativity with strategy. He hopes to use what he learns to grow his own ventures and help his family and friends build theirs.

With the Gates award, Jabez has been able to spend more time as a student and community member. He has more time to do the things he loves: joining the Marketing Club, playing sports, and beginning to think about long-term goals instead of short-term survival. 

Gates: A Company Committed to Progress

Headquartered in Denver just up the street from CU Denver, Gates Corporation is a global leader in power transmission and fluid power solutions. The company emphasizes innovation, reliability, and performance across industries such as data centers, urban mobility, construction, and manufacturing. Gates highlights its mission as “driving innovation that moves the world forward” and has a strong commitment to sustainable growth and community investment.

Establishing the Gates Scholarship at CU Denver this year reflects this same philosophy. Gates is investing in future innovators and leaders who will shape industries and communities. Jabez’s story shows that impact begins not in the distant future but in the daily lives of students who can now imagine new possibilities.  “Denver has been our home for more than a century, and we now span across the globe.” said Gwen Montgomery, Gates EVP, CHRO. “Supporting these students is one way we honor our roots while investing in the future leaders who will shape what comes next in the world.”

CU Denver: Equity, Access, and Social Mobility

As Colorado’s leading public urban research university, CU Denver serves a diverse student body where more than half identify as students of color. Many balance coursework with jobs and family responsibilities. To meet these needs, the university has committed itself to “making education work for all”.

CU Denver’s efforts are recognized nationally. For the fourth consecutive year, the university was ranked No. 1 in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region for improving students’ social mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report. This recognition underscores CU Denver’s role in providing access and opportunity, ensuring that students not only attend but also succeed and advance.

Scholarships like the one from Gates are central to this mission. They give students room to focus on academics and community while preparing for careers that will contribute back to Colorado’s workforce and beyond.

A Partnership for Innovation and Workforce Development

CU Denver’s partnership with Gates Corporation allows the university to deliver on its promise to students and represents a shared vision: that education is both a public good and an economic driver. For Gates, supporting scholarships reinforces the commitment they have with the community. For CU Denver, working with philanthropic partners ensures that students gain both access and the ability to thrive.

Together, they illustrate how corporate and academic collaboration can make a direct impact. By connecting industry leadership with university access, this partnership prepares students for meaningful futures and strengthens the community’s innovation ecosystem.

Building Futures, One Story at a Time

For Jabez, the Gates Scholarship is both encouragement and responsibility. It removed the constant worry of finances and gave him space to imagine, grow, and participate. More importantly, it gave him a sense of accountability. Receiving the Gates Scholarship “is an encouragement, but it’s also a responsibility,” he said. “I want to make the most of this chance.” 

Jabez is also determined to give back when he is able. “I want to make the most of this chance. Someday, when I’m in the position to help other students, I want to make sure they can feel the same support I’ve felt.” He thinks this support is not only relief but also a call to act with purpose. 

His advice to future applicants is simple: stay focused, work hard, and believe in your potential. 

Jabez’s story shows that when access meets ambition, scholarships become more than financial aid. They are investments in human potential. They become a pathway to leadership, service, and lasting impact.