Written by Elise Dietrich
Sitting in his apartment overlooking the very street where his grandmother lived, Nigel Daniels cannot help but smile thinking about the story of his early years—and all he has accomplished since. As he sips his coffee gazing out the window on the Denver community that helped shape him, Daniels reflects on his childhood and the people who helped get him to where he is today.
“There’s been little doses of people in my life who have all stepped in at different times to really just make sure I stayed in line—and that’s been a blessing…” — Nigel Daniels (B.A., political science, ’14)
Daniels was raised by a single mother, his maternal grandmother, and a network of community supporters—including his mentor, Mark. His mother, Cora, relied on her community for support—as she navigated the state’s complicated social services and judicial system to advocate for his younger brother, who faced several emotional and mental challenges. “Life had its issues and its challenges, but [my mom] made it a point to never shield us from the truth—she was very open about some of the things that we’re going through,” he says.
Cora enrolled Daniels in Denver Kids Inc., a nonprofit organization that equips students with educational counseling, life skills, and mentors to help them balance the pressures of life, graduate from high school, and pursue postsecondary opportunities. Daniels’ mother made it a point to always fight for education—and that’s exactly what he has been doing ever since. “It’s been my root and my fight from the get-go. It was my fight at CSU, and it continues to energize me today,” he says. Nigel serves as a board member for Denver Kids, Inc.—supporting future generations of students.
In 2010, when Daniels was a 17-year-old high school senior, his mother tragically passed away. “When senior year hit—and my mom passed away—it was a pretty big blow. Luckily, I had that community already built to kind of reinforce that support,” he says.
In the face of immense loss, he pressed forward—soon receiving the Daniels Fund Scholarship, which enabled him to attend Colorado State University as a first-generation student. Daniels admits he struggled with standardized tests throughout childhood, including his college entrance exams. “I had the GPA and thrived in the classroom. I just didn’t thrive on tests,” he recalls. Even with the scholarship, he did not receive many offers from universities. “There weren’t a lot of schools taking a bid on me, but CSU did. That really stood out,” he says.
After losing his mother and leaving the community that supported him for so long, his transition to CSU was not the easiest. “My first week [at CSU] I remember moving into Braiden Hall and needing to go shopping at Target by myself. I’m walking down the aisle and I’m seeing this little white girl watching me as I walk up and down each row. As this continues, it hit me that this is probably the first time she’s ever seen a black boy,” he reflects. Without a sense of community and feeling like an outsider trying to fight his way in, there were times he thought he might go back to Denver, but Daniels firmly believes in being present in uncomfortable moments. His message to anyone going through tough times, “it’s uncomfortable, but that’s where growth happens.”
“I’m so happy I stuck it out because the friends I developed, the network I developed, and the community impact I’ve been able to have—I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today had I not stayed at CSU,” he says.
“I’m so happy I stuck it out because the friends I developed, the network I developed, and the community impact I’ve been able to have—I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today had I not stayed at CSU…” — Nigel Daniels (B.A., political science, ’14)
During his time on the CSU campus, Nigel traveled twice to Samburu, Kenya, to participate in service projects, served on the University Curriculum Committee, helped increase membership in the pre-law club by 25 percent, and assisted in the startup of the Legal Studies minor. The accomplishment he is most proud of—being elected president of ASCSU in 2013. Professor Courtenay Daum distinctly remembers the joy Daniels brought to her American Constitutional Law class. “After all of these years I can still picture and point to exactly where he sat in class because he was such a positive light in that room,” she says.
In 2014, Daniels graduated from CSU with an undergraduate degree in political science and government. He went on to become special assistant to U.S. Senator Michael Bennet in Washington, D.C., and later as a political assistant in Colorado on Bennet’s 2016 re-election campaign. That experience prepared him to serve for nearly seven years as a special aide to Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and then as a senior adviser to the mayor.
With a burgeoning career in politics, a passion for public policy, and lived experience watching his mother navigate the judicial system, Daniels set his eyes on law school while simultaneously serving as special aide to the mayor. He received his Juris Doctorate in 2022 from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law where he had the honor of being the student commencement speaker for the law school.
Daniels sunk his teeth into the professional legal world as a summer associate for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck in 2021 fully joining the firm after graduation. He currently works as a law clerk and policy adviser at the firm, where one of his clients is CSU.
As far as his future endeavors are concerned, Daniels has moments of reflection about where he can make the biggest impact in the world right now—whether it’s in the legal world or on the policy side. “I think as a lawyer your impact is very case by case—often times you’re making differences in your clients’ lives and that’s really where my passion is particularly with youth,” he says. Daniels passion also lies in public policy—combating systemic racism by addressing policies and practices that contribute to racial inequality and thereby dismantling systemic barriers. Because he believes in providing a voice to the voiceless and expanding access to education, he serves on the boards for the Global Livingston Institute and the Urban Peak homeless youth shelter in Denver.
Daniels is this year’s recipient of the GOLD Award which recognizes a CSU graduate from the past 10 years for accomplishments made in the areas of career, service, and/or volunteer efforts that have brought honor to the individual and the University. “I am not the least bit surprised that [Nigel] is selected as the recipient of this particular award. I am thrilled for Nigel and very proud of him,” says Daum.
When asked about the award, he says, “It’s humbling. It warms my heart—such an honor. This school has done so much for me so to be recognized by CSU means everything to me. I am a man of loyalty and CSU put themselves out there for me first so anything and everything I can ever do to give back to the university, I am committed to.”
Daniels will be recognized at the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awards, as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend on Thursday, Oct. 12, 5-9 p.m. in the Lory Student Center.
