Pueblo Pride 2023 Grand Marshals
2022 Grand Marshal
Dr. Timothy Mottet
Dr. Timothy Mottet is the 15th president of Colorado State University Pueblo. He and his colleagues have developed a bold vision for CSU Pueblo, which is to become the “people’s university” for the State of Colorado and the Southwest United States.
Colorado State University Pueblo has been recognized byForbes magazine as “one of the country’s up-and-coming Hispanic Serving Institutions.” Mottet has also been recognized by Education magazine as one of the 20 most visionary education leaders in 2021 and Latino Leaders magazine as one of the country’s most visionary educational leaders in higher education.
He has co-authored four books and published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Mottet serves on the board of directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Colorado Ballet. He holds degrees from William Jewell College (BA), Boston University (MS), and West Virginia University (EdD). He and his spouse, Rick Gonzalez, enjoy volunteering at animal shelters, collecting art, and exploring New Orleans’ French Quarter.
2022 Grand Marshal
mr. Rick Gonzalez
Mr. Rick Gonzalez, a native of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, has worked as a staff member in higher education for 10 years in both Student Affairs and University Advancement at both Texas State University and The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
Since moving to Pueblo Colorado in 2017, Rick has invested hundreds of hours volunteering at Southern Colorado Spay & Neuter and Adoption Clinic (SoCO) in the feline unit as well as Colorado State University-Pueblo.
At SoCO he spends time socializing cats, promoting their stories using social media, and finding appropriate homes. Rick introduced the Buddy Program to SoCO, which connects shelter cats and dogs with sponsors. Through sponsorships, SoCO is able to provide enhanced care to cats and dogs in the shelter. January 2022 he now serves on the board of directors.
At Colorado State University-Pueblo Rick contributes to the University by volunteering and providing administrative support to a variety of units on campus. He also hosts numerous events, dinners and receptions for donors, alumni, and students. Gonzalez has been invited by the President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to develop and coordinate programming at the national conference for presidential spouses. Also, Rick serves as an Executive Board of the Parkview Health System Foundation in Pueblo, Colorado.
Rick and his spouse, Timothy Mottet, have three shelter cats (Emily, Birdie and Lupita). They enjoy scuba diving, international travel, and exploring the music and art scene in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
2021 Grand Marshal
Laney Sorensen
Laney Sorensen is a lifelong Pueblo resident. She recently graduated from Swallows Charter Academy and graduates in December with her Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Around this time next year, Laney looks forward to being enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at the University of Wyoming so she can attain a Bachelor’s degree in the field. After that, she hopes to become a paralegal or legal assistant.
Pride is important to Laney because of the value her identity holds to her. Laney has been out and proud identifying as a queer woman since her sophomore year of high school and has never let anyone try to talk down to her or tell her different. As one of the Junior Grand Marshals for Pueblo Pride 2021, Laney wants the attendees to know that the fight for gay liberation is still alive today, both domestic and internationally, and we should be fighting as hard as we can to make our voices heard so that we can be who we are without fear or hesitation of backlash.
2021 Grand Marshal
City Councilor Zolanye Mcculley- Bachicha
Zolanye McCulley-Bachicha is a Pueblo native, graduating from Central High School in 2009. She attended Colorado State University- Ft. Collins earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in organizational management and innovation and an emphasis in human resources in 2013. During her time at CSU- Ft. Collins she studied international business abroad at Florida State University in Panama Republic de Panama. She entered in the Accelerated Nursing Program at CSU-Pueblo receiving her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2018. Zolanye currently works in the family business, Angelus Chapel Funeral Directors. She was an Emergency Room Nurse at St. Mary Corwin Medical Center up until the birth of her son. Zolanye has recently been appointed as councilwoman of District #4, due to the passing of Ray Aguilera. She serves on the Board of Directors as President of Posada, with one of her cherished events being the Petra McCulley Memorial Picnic & Take Care Fair. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pueblo Central High School Foundation, as an alum she welcomes students into her office to assist them in college applications and scholarships, trying to invest in what she knows is our future. She is a Board of Directors member of the Garcia Foundation and Pueblo Community College Foundation, as well. She is impassioned with the need to “Pay it Forward” and advocating for others derived from her late Grandparents, Charles and Petra McCulley; and mother, Yanera’s dedication to their community. Zolanye and her husband Andy Bachicha Jr. truly love Pueblo and believe in being of service to their community. They hope to instill the same value into their son Yasiel who is 10 months old. Together they enjoy all Pueblo has to offer, honoring traditions and embracing change.
