The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation is proud to recognize Kellie Williams as a 2026 CPOF scholarship recipient.
Kellie, the daughter of Melissa Neff, a retired employee of Colorado’s Centennial Correctional Facility, will attend Colorado State University Pueblo this fall to pursue a degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, with hopes of adding a minor in chiropractic studies or business.
For Kellie, helping others has always been at the center of her future. Whether through teaching, athletic training, volunteering in her church, or simply lending a helping hand, she has long known she wanted to build a career focused on caring for people. Athletic training provides the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for healthcare, sports, and service.
Throughout high school at Florence High School, Kellie immersed herself in academics, leadership, athletics, and service. She currently serves as Head Girl in Student Council after serving as her class president since her freshman year. She is also an active member of the National Honor Society, where she has served in leadership, and participates on the Principal’s Advisory Committee, helping plan activities and strengthen connections throughout her school community.
Her accomplishments extend beyond the classroom. Kellie has been a varsity volleyball player since her sophomore year, earned Principal’s Honor Roll recognition throughout high school, received her FFA Greenhand Degree, and was recognized with both Section of the Year and the Director’s Award during her time in band.
Equally impressive is her work ethic. Over the years, Kellie has balanced school with a variety of jobs, including babysitting, house sitting, lifeguarding at her local community pool, and most recently, working as a food runner aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Those experiences have helped develop the responsibility, independence, and determination she carries into every aspect of her life.
In her scholarship essay, Kellie also reflected on the personal experiences that have shaped her. Through family hardships, including the loss of several loved ones over the years, she developed an even greater appreciation for compassionate healthcare and the people who provide it. Those experiences strengthened her resolve to pursue a profession where she can help others navigate difficult moments with care and empathy.
As she begins this exciting new chapter, Kellie is eager to pursue the career she has dreamed about for years while continuing to challenge herself academically and personally.
Kellie’s scholarship also serves as a meaningful reminder that the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation supports correctional families well beyond an employee’s active career. Because her mother chose to continue her CPOF membership after retiring from the Colorado Department of Corrections, Kellie remained eligible for the Foundation’s scholarship program. It is one of the many ways continued membership helps ensure CPOF can continue supporting correctional professionals and their families through every stage of life.
We are honored to support Kellie as she begins her journey at Colorado State University Pueblo and look forward to seeing the impact she will make through a career dedicated to helping others.
Photo caption: CPOF scholarship recipient Kellie Williams is pictured after receiving her 2026 scholarship award.