My history with Colorado Mountain College began in 1993 when I took an art class. I've taken art classes on and off since that time. My son took a few classes in 1998, and in 2004 my daughter began taking Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEPA) classes. (They weren't called that at the time.)
In 2005, we had to close our business and I applied for many jobs. Having owned a business, I had many skills which were self-taught. I was overqualified for most of the jobs for which I applied, but was overlooked due to the fact that I didn't have a degree.
However, CMC took a chance on me! I began working in Central Services, and just in time too because my daughter was about to begin the Professional Photography program. I don't know how I would have paid for her education otherwise.
In 2011, my daughter was the very first applicant to our bachelor’s degree program. She graduated with honors in 2013 as part of the inaugural class. In the meantime, the Board of Trustees started a military discount program to help our veterans and their families get a college education. My son has been in the Air Force since 1999, so his wife started her A.A. degree online in 2014.
At some point, I realized it wouldn't take that many more classes to get a degree in Visual Arts, so I began taking core classes. My daughter-in-law and I both walked across the stage at Spring Valley in May 2016, receiving our degrees with honors. I am now working towards a certificate in Graphic Technology.
I can honestly say we are a CMC family with four CMC degrees among us. Working here for over 11 years, CMC has also become part of my family. Thanks Colorado Mountain College!
NOTE:
Debbie Novak, assistant to the president & CEO of Colorado Mountain College and secretary to the college’s elected board of trustees, was recently named the National Professional Board Staff Member of 2016 by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Novak served on the executive committee of the ACCT Professional Board Staff Network (PBSN) for nine years, and was president of the committee in 2014.
Novak also holds leadership roles on many Colorado Mountain College committees, including the 50th Anniversary Planning Team and, for multiple years, the central committee for CMC Day, an annual gathering of hundreds of employees that rotates to different campuses.
