2026 Alumni Association Award Winners

Creston Wilson sits in the cockpit during sunrise

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Chresten Wilson | 1984 | Aviation

Growing up in the Lake Tahoe region, Chreston spent much of her childhood outdoors, hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing and exploring the surrounding forests. Her passion for aviation began at the age of nine during her first airplane flight with her father. That experience inspired her to pursue a career as a pilot and set her on a path that would ultimately lead to a distinguished career in aviation.

At age 12, she moved to Denver with her mother and sister. During that time, she saw United Airlines鈥� Flight Training Center for the first time and confidently told her mother that she would one day work there. Encouraged by family and mentors who never suggested that aviation was beyond her reach, she remained focused on her goal despite the industry being predominantly male at the time.

After obtaining her driver’s license, she began taking introductory flights in Cessna aircraft at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield, Colorado. Although these flights were marketed as 鈥渄iscovery flights,鈥� she had already discovered her passion for aviation and simply welcomed every opportunity to fly. Fortuitously, Metropolitan State University of Denver鈥檚 renowned Aerospace Science program was nearby, allowing her to begin formal flight training as a freshman. By the time she graduated, she had earned all pilot certifications and ratings required for an airline career except the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

Following graduation, she worked as a flight instructor at Jefferson County Airport. One of her students, who worked at United Airlines鈥� Flight Training Center, provided her with an employment application that launched her journey with United. Her education and training at Metropolitan State University of Denver provided the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a professional airline pilot.

Throughout her career, she has flown to six of the seven continents and later traveled independently to Antarctica, completing visits to all seven continents. Aviation has afforded her the opportunity to witness extraordinary sights from the air, experience diverse cultures, and build lasting friendships around the world.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, she continues to enjoy outdoor recreation, independent travel and volunteer service with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care. She plans to retire in March upon reaching age 65, the federally mandated retirement age for airline pilots, concluding an exceptional career marked by passion, perseverance and achievement.

ALUMNI VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Jameer Fitch | 2020 & 2023 | IDP & Business Administration

Jameer Fitch is a two-time graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver, earning an Individualized Degree Plan in Legal Analytics & Organizational Leadership in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration in 2023. A public servant, military officer, entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader, he has built his career around service, leadership, accountability and creating pathways for others.

Jameer serves as the Manager of Constitutional Policing for the Aurora Police Department, leading multidisciplinary teams focused on organizational accountability, business intelligence, quality assurance, data analysis and constitutional and data-informed policing. His work connects public safety, organizational leadership, and community trust, with a focus on strengthening how police organizations serve their communities.

That same commitment to leadership has shaped nearly 15 years of service in the United States Navy Reserve. Jameer began his military career as an enlisted Master-at-Arms before earning a commission as a Supply Corps Officer and becoming a Navy Mustang. His service has included leadership assignments at home and abroad, deployment experience, and mentoring Sailors pursuing education, commissioning opportunities and professional advancement.

His journey from enlisted Sailor to commissioned officer, from student to university leader and from private-sector professional to public-service executive has reinforced his belief that progress is rarely linear and that opportunity often begins when someone helps another person recognize what is possible.

海角社区 holds a deeply personal place in that journey. For Jameer, it is more than the university where he earned two degrees. It is family, community, and a place he considers home. He serves as Vice President of the 海角社区 Alumni Association Board of Directors, a member of the 海角社区 MBA Advisory Board and a board member of the 海角社区 Black Alumni Network (BAN).

His involvement includes student engagement, veteran advocacy, alumni leadership, guest speaking, commencement activities and mentorship. His service began as a student when he served as President of Student Veteran Affairs, advocating for military-connected students. He was later recognized by 海角社区 as a recipient of its 10 Under 10 Award.

For Jameer, volunteering is personal. He believes the right conversation, relationship, encouragement or opportunity can change the direction of someone鈥檚 life. Talented people do not always lack ambition. Sometimes they lack access, representation, a network, a starting point or someone willing to help them recognize what is possible. He sees giving back not as an obligation that comes with success, but as part of what gives success meaning.

That belief drives his support of students, veterans, emerging professionals, and Black leaders. Through 海角社区, the Black Alumni Network, UpNotch and military mentorship, Jameer works to strengthen representation and help people see themselves in educational, military, executive and community leadership spaces.

His approach to mentorship is rooted in listening. Rather than telling someone which path to take, he helps people clarify what they want to accomplish, recognize opportunities, and determine the next step forward. Jameer is also an entrepreneur and investor with experience in small business and real estate, bringing the same focus on growth and opportunity to those pursuits.

At the center of his philosophy is a phrase he has carried throughout his journey: 鈥淪mall Steps鈥� Great Distances.鈥� It reflects his belief that meaningful progress is built through intentional choices, persistence, education, relationships and the courage to keep moving even when the destination feels far away.

Whether leading, mentoring, advocating or serving, Jameer鈥檚 goal is simple: help others see the path, believe the distance is possible and take the first step.

ALUMNI CAMPUS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Jimi Webb | 2011 | Hospitality, Tourism and Events

Jimi Webb serves as the Director of Student Services and Operations for the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he has dedicated nearly 15 years of service to advancing student success, strengthening operations and building collaborative partnerships that support the university’s mission.

A proud 海角社区 alumnus, Jimi earned his degree from the Department of Hospitality, Meeting and Travel Administration with a concentration in Restaurant Management. His experience as both a student and employee has given him a unique perspective on the transformative impact of higher education and a deep commitment to the success of the university community. As he reflects in his leadership vision, discovering 海角社区 as a student was the moment he realized, 鈥淚 can see myself there.鈥�

Jimi is also a graduate of 海角社区’s LEAD and INSPIRE leadership development programs through Learning and Organizational Effectiveness (LOE). The values-based leadership principles he gained through those experiences have profoundly shaped his approach to leadership and remain the foundation of his work today. He is particularly proud of applying those principles to develop a shared vision and team values for the School of Hospitality staff, fostering a culture rooted in trust, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Throughout his career, Jimi has contributed to the broader university community through service, leadership, and engagement initiatives. His dedication to 海角社区, commitment to servant leadership, and contributions to student and institutional success have been recognized through several university and alumni honors.

Today, Jimi strives to help create that same sense of opportunity and belonging for others. His vision is for every student to discover their potential, achieve their goals and confidently say what he once said himself: 鈥淚 can see myself there.鈥�