Congratulations to our July 2026 Member of the Month (MeMo) Nathan Cadena! National College Attainment Network (NCAN) staff asked him both professional and personal questions so you can get to know him and the work he does better.
Name: Nathan Cadena
Location: Denver, CO
Alma Mater: Colorado State University
Title and Organization: Chief Impact Officer at Denver Scholarship Foundation
Professional Questions
Q: What brought you to the college access and success field initially?
A: As a TRIO Upward Bound alum, I stumbled into the college access field in a full circle moment and launched my career, which was very uncertain at the time. While I explored majors ranging from engineering to art, I ultimately completed my undergraduate degree in social sciences. Toward the end of my undergrad experience, the breadth of my studies, combined with the strong, student centered programs at my institution, opened the door to a TRIO internship that quickly evolved into my first professional role in college access. That early opportunity set the foundation and network for the work I continue to do today.
Q: What do you love most about your role or organization?
A: The opportunity to work across college access, scholarships, and success with a strong career connected focus. This aligns with my professional journey and the experiences I’ve gained over the past decades in education, financial aid, and career counseling. Equally meaningful is working alongside nearly 100 passionate, mission driven colleagues who show up every day committed to making a positive impact at scale for our community.
Q: What's your favorite thing about being an NCAN member?
A: Much like what I value about my colleagues at DSF, I deeply appreciate the opportunities to connect, learn, share, and collaborate within a national network of professionals who are advancing the same movement. It’s uplifting to be part of a community working collectively to help create stronger futures rooted in educational attainment for communities that deserve more.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are new to college attainment work?
A: Use your membership! NCAN offers incredible value when you and your team fully engage in the active learning opportunities, expert insights, and advocacy updates available. Incorporating these resources into your everyday work can be affirming and transformative.
Personality Questions
Every month, our MeMos will be answering some fun questions to help us get to know their “out of office” side!
Q: If you were dropped into any movie or TV show as a new main character, what movie or TV show would you pick and why?
A: The Chase (a trivia game show), because I love trivia, and feel confident, at least from my sofa or barstool.
Q: You get to host a dinner party with five people, dead or alive, famous or not. Who are you hosting?
A: I would gather my deceased grandparents, so I could dig deeper into understanding my family's journeys that influenced the lives of my generation, and clear up some of the wild stories I've been told by my parents.
Q: What's your favorite food, and one food you don't like?
A: Carne asada tacos are my favorite! I don't like beets.
Q: If you could immediately be fluent in one language, which language would you choose and why?
A: I would love to be immediately fluent in English. It's hard!
Q: What's one thing you'd like to cross off your personal bucket list?
A: Learn to play the guitar fluently, or watch the Broncos win in-person at the Super Bowl.
Q: You HAVE to sing at karaoke. What song do you pick?
A: Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant.
Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three comfort items would you want to have with you to make life a little more fun or interesting?
A: A solar-powered iPod, fully-loaded, a comfortable pillow, and a Wilson volleyball, obviously.