UCCS alumna, Chancellor's Leadership Class scholar and future physician Sara Khammash shares what philanthropy means to her.
Q: Tell us about your experience with philanthropy at UCCS.
A: A big reason I give back to UCCS today is because I benefited so much from the generosity of others while I was a student. Being part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC) meant receiving financial support, but it also meant joining a community that shaped who I am today. Some of my closest friends and favorite people came from CLC, and the experiences and mentorship I gained there were invaluable. Because I know how meaningful that support was, I’ve always wanted to give back in a way that helps other students the way I was helped. I participate in Giving Day, and I also donate throughout the year when opportunities arise. I still volunteer with CLC by reviewing applications and participating in interview days. Staying connected to that community is incredibly fulfilling.
Q: How has giving or receiving philanthropic support made a difference in your life or work?
A: Scholarships gave me time—something students rarely have enough of. Having that financial cushion meant I didn’t have to work as many hours on top of school. I still held two on-campus jobs, but the scholarship gave me more space to be involved, spend time with friends and family, and make the most of my college experience. Now that I’m in medical school, I appreciate it even more. Medical school is expensive, and graduating from undergrad with less debt really helps me today.
Philanthropy has also helped me keep things in perspective. Giving back—whether through time or money—is a powerful way to stay connected to a place that shaped me so much. It reminds me of the people and opportunities that helped me grow. When I look back, my years at UCCS were some of the best of my life.
Q: Can you share an experience that stands out because of this support?
A: My senior year, I was nominated by CLC for the Colorado Leadership Alliance Student Leader of the Year—and I won. That recognition introduced me to a mentor who has now been part of my life for five years. We’ve done research together, I’ll be rotating with her this winter, and the professional and personal advice she’s given me over the years has been priceless. That relationship is one of the most meaningful connections in my professional life, and it was made possible through CLC. I never expected that a scholarship would open a door like that. Nor would I have thought this relationship would still be going strong five years out of college.
Q: UCCS Giving Day features several funding priorities. Which matter most to you, and why?
A: Scholarships and research and innovation are especially close to my heart. Scholarships reduce financial barriers and give students opportunities they might not otherwise have. They also create communities—like CLC—that offer mentorship, friendships and lifelong connections.
In the field of medicine, research and innovation is essential. It’s how we find new ways to approach diseases, improve outcomes and advance care. I’m interested in emergency medicine or pediatric practice, and so much progress in those fields comes directly from research. My sister is earning her PhD in immunology at CU Anschutz, and we talk often about how vital research funding is. It shapes the future of every field.
Q: What would you say to someone considering making a gift to UCCS?
A: You absolutely should. Education is the future, and investing in someone’s education is one of the greatest gifts you can give because it opens up so many opportunities.
I loved my college experience at UCCS. It was the perfect size, with great professors and the resources I needed to succeed. I still use things I learned in my biology and anatomy classes in medical school today. When you give to UCCS, you’re helping create those experiences for someone else—you really are making a difference in someone’s life.
Q: What has been your greatest takeaway from your UCCS experience?
A: The relationships. My best friend came from CLC, as did many other meaningful personal and professional connections in my life. UCCS gave me a community of amazing people who continue to be part of my journey.