Jaron Balderes

Jaron Balderes (MPA 2018)
2024 KUCIMAT Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

"Jaron is a wicked smart KUCIMAT who also happens to be Mexican-American, LGBTQ+, a U.S. Army veteran, and a close friend. He's recently been awarded the "Bronze Medal for Commendable Service" for his contributions to the EPA for his technical achievements and financial policy development expertise. He was also recently appointed to a commissioner seat on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Topeka, Kansas, where he first interned while earning his MPA. Finally, he's been heavily involved with the Topeka Pride board, and co-led Topeka's first "Pride Palooza," which is a huge deal for LGBTQ+ community members."
- - Logan Masenthin (2018) | Denver, CO

About Jaron  —

To expand on the above, Jaron is a phenomenal friend and public servant. He grew up in the Wichita area and then lived in Topeka for a few years after being in the Army, working for the city. This is where a KUCIMAT Alum eventually persuaded him to apply to the KUCIMAT program. I was lucky enough to have him in my cohort. He worked for a few local governments in the Midwest region, and then made the difficult decision to transition from local government to federal when he took the amazing opportunity to work with the EPA. He moved to Washington D.C. for a few years and then decided to move back to Kansas and work fully remote. I imagine it was difficult for him to leave the large diverse, queer communities around D.C. for the largely white, heterosexual communities in Topeka, but he loves a challenge and wanted to put his passion and talents to good use.

Jaron has succeeded in bringing fresh ideas and inclusivity to Topeka. This shows with his recent appointment to the Human Relations Commission for the City of Topeka and his work on Topeka's first ever Pride Palooza this June. He could have stayed in D.C. and enjoyed the large Pride events that are put on every year without getting involved. Instead, he is making a huge impact in Kansas. He was even on the local news to inform folks about the Pride event, and attended other local Pride events to spread the word. Topeka has a lot of history around being hateful toward LGBTQ+ people, but accepting as well, and it is really beautiful to see Jaron's role in this effort to bring Pride to the city in 2024. I am confident he will continue to make great strides toward bringing EDI to local communities, whether he works for them or not.

Jaron Balderes Professional Profile

Nomination of Jaron Balderes  —

Submitted by: - Logan Masenthin (2018) | Denver, CO

Jaron is a wicked smart KUCIMAT who also happens to be Mexican-American, LGBTQ+, a U.S. Army veteran, and a close friend. He's recently been awarded the "Bronze Medal for Commendable Service" for his contributions to the EPA for his technical achievements and financial policy development expertise. He was also recently appointed to a commissioner seat on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Topeka, Kansas, where he first interned while earning his MPA. Finally, he's been heavily involved with the Topeka Pride board, and co-led Topeka's first "Pride Palooza," which is a huge deal for LGBTQ+ community members.

To expand on the above, Jaron is a phenomenal friend and public servant. He grew up in the Wichita area and then lived in Topeka for a few years after being in the Army, working for the city. This is where a KUCIMAT Alum eventually persuaded him to apply to the KUCIMAT program. I was lucky enough to have him in my cohort. He worked for a few local governments in the Midwest region, and then made the difficult decision to transition from local government to federal when he took the amazing opportunity to work with the EPA. He moved to Washington D.C. for a few years and then decided to move back to Kansas and work fully remote. I imagine it was difficult for him to leave the large diverse, queer communities around D.C. for the largely white, heterosexual communities in Topeka, but he loves a challenge and wanted to put his passion and talents to good use.

Jaron has succeeded in bringing fresh ideas and inclusivity to Topeka. This shows with his recent appointment to the Human Relations Commission for the City of Topeka and his work on Topeka's first ever Pride Palooza this June. He could have stayed in D.C. and enjoyed the large Pride events that are put on every year without getting involved. Instead, he is making a huge impact in Kansas. He was even on the local news to inform folks about the Pride event, and attended other local Pride events to spread the word. Topeka has a lot of history around being hateful toward LGBTQ+ people, but accepting as well, and it is really beautiful to see Jaron's role in this effort to bring Pride to the city in 2024. I am confident he will continue to make great strides toward bringing EDI to local communities, whether he works for them or not.