Having grown up in Laramie, Nicholas Jesse is passionate about giving back to his hometown.

A close friend says it best: "Nicholas is an exemplary individual who has demonstrated a profound commitment to serving and uplifting the community of Laramie through his extensive volunteer work and leadership roles. His passion for fostering positive change and inclusivity is truly commendable."

Others praise his work, both on the University of Wyoming campus and in the Laramie community. For those efforts, Jesse is the recipient of UW's Laramigo Award for Community Engagement.

The award recognizes the contributions of UW faculty and staff members to the university and Laramie communities. The award, created by anonymous donors in 2022, offers a stipend to a UW employee and a Laramie-based nonprofit organization of the recipient's choice. Jesse will share the award with Laramie PrideFest.

"Nicholas grew up in Laramie and, as such, knows the community inside and out," a nominator says. "He cares for everyone in it -- the local businesses, the events, the hiccups and roadblocks -- and strives to make our small town better every single day."

Jesse has been the Wyoming School-University Partnership (WSUP) senior project coordinator the past two years. WSUP is located in the UW College of Education. He currently serves as chair of Laramie PrideFest and has been instrumental in coordinating and sponsoring events that provide support and connection for Laramie's LGBTQ+ community and throughout Wyoming.

His leadership within the local nonprofit organization has been invaluable in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment, his nominators say.

"I am deeply grateful to Nicholas for his advocacy work in this area, and it is thanks to Laramie PrideFest that we have events year-round that establish community and safety here in Laramie for the rainbow community," one nominator adds. "I know I needed to nominate Nicholas due to his unwavering dedication to community advocacy and empowerment in Laramie."

On the UW campus, he has been a supporter of the annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice.

"Nicholas embodies the values of community engagement, inclusivity and empowerment that the Laramigo Award seeks to honor," a nominator says. "He exemplifies what it means to be a leader: He's service oriented, passionate and fosters creativity and innovation."

WSUP serves as a conduit for communication and collaboration among all Wyoming education stakeholders. The statewide partnership -- grounded in public education renewal -- is composed of K-12 school districts, state and government education organizations, and higher education institutions.

One nominator says Jesse has leveraged his extensive network in the Wyoming K-12 education system to champion educational innovation and collaboration between Wyoming school districts and UW.

"His impressive resume reflects a lifelong commitment to volunteerism, advocacy and activism, particularly within the Laramie community," the nominator adds.

In addition to his community involvement, Jesse has contributed to enhancing the UW College of Education's environment.

"His initiatives to boost staff and faculty relations through college events reflect a positive attitude essential for building critical relationships with educational leaders across Wyoming via WSUP," the nominator adds.

Jesse received his bachelor's degree in communication, with minors in African American diaspora studies and public law, all from UW.

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