Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is proud to announce its first Doctoral Resident – Ryan Burton from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ryan is sharing his valuable insights into how career advising—combined with college access and success coaching— can transform the lives of college students. His work at DSF, alongside his doctoral studies in Education Leadership, has reinforced the importance of guiding students not just to college (whether at a four-year institution, technical school, or community college) but toward long-term career fulfillment. Ryan’s interest in DSF began with the core approach of how career advising strategies can help improve student outcomes.
Growing up in Colorado Springs, Ryan felt deeply connected to his community. With several years in Boston working with nonprofits focused on education and pursuing graduate school, he knew he wanted to return to Colorado and contribute to efforts that help bridge the gap between secondary education, higher education, and meaningful career prospects. Previously, he served as a Success Program Director at a Massachusetts nonprofit focusing on college access as well as a fellow at El Pomar Foundation. There, he gained valuable insights into Colorado philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and scholarship programs. These experiences deeply resonated with DSF’s mission while aligning Ryan’s expertise and passion for developing clear, supportive pathways and resources for students to thrive.
Ryan Burton and DSF Chief Impact Officer Nate Cadena during a campus visit at Harvard.
During a 10-month residency, he is working closely with DSF to redefine its career advising strategy. This includes evaluating current initiatives, researching the local, state, and national landscape, engaging with stakeholders, and identifying ways to strengthen DSF’s career support services. In partnership with DPS (Denver Public Schools), DSF aims to ensure that Denver students, starting as early as ninth grade, have the tools and guidance to explore potential career paths, build confidence, and make informed decisions about their futures.
Unlike many organizations focusing solely on scholarships or academic success, DSF’s approach is holistic, which helped solidify Ryan’s interest in working with DSF. The organization’s three-part model guides students through every step of their journey—helping them prepare for college, apply for our scholarship, complete financial aid applications, succeed during their academic careers, and smoothly transition into the workforce after graduation. Early exposure to career exploration is a critical component of this model. Through career assessments, like the Holland Codes and the Colorado Career Advising Tool, students can identify their strengths, values, and interests, allowing them to learn about themselves and make thoughtful decisions about their career paths.
In addition to partnership with DPS, DSF works with higher education institutions throughout Colorado and connects students to the many valuable career resources available on college campuses. DSF also hosts exposure events, like industry panels and career fairs, which provide excellent opportunities for students to build relationships with professionals in the field.
Recently, DSF launched an exciting new initiative: the Career Success Coaching Program. This pilot program connects DSF Scholars with industry professionals who serve as mentors. Each month, coaching sessions focus on different aspects of career development, including resume building, networking, LinkedIn optimization, and interviewing skills. These opportunities are invaluable for students who are the first in their families to attend college, providing them with the tools and confidence they need to navigate the professional world.
As Ryan continues to work on his capstone project and prepare recommendations for DSF’s career advising strategy, one thing remains clear: early and meaningful career guidance throughout wraparound education programming is critical and transformative. Through ongoing efforts, Ryan hopes that DSF will set a national standard for supporting students throughout their educational journey and educators, employers, and community members will continue to invest in the future workforce by supporting initiatives that help students connect their education with their career goals.
“The work at DSF goes beyond helping students get into college; it’s about giving students the skills, tools, networks, and confidence they need to persist to graduation and pursue a life filled with choice and opportunity. For those who believe in the power of education to change lives, I encourage you to learn more about DSF and consider supporting its work. Together, we can make a lasting impact—not just on the Denver students we serve but on the future of our communities,” said Ryan Burton.
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