Sustainability Studies B.A. Students Earn International Certification

April 15, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Sustainability Studies B.A. Students Earn International Certification

On March 29, three students graduating this May with their B.A. in Sustainability Studies (BASS), Jenna Hendrickson, Kyle Stepanek, and Bri Davidson, earned the Sustainability Associate certificate (ISSP-SA) from the International Society for Sustainability Professionals.

One of their professors, Tina Evans, also took the exam and earned the certificate, and she plans to go on to earn the ISSP’s higher-level certificate: the Certified Sustainability Professional credential (ISSP-CSP).

The ISSP-SA credential demonstrates mastery of a body of knowledge for the sustainability field that is highly relevant to sustainability professionals working in a wide range of positions in business (including nonprofits), government, and education. The ISSP-CSP credential certifies that the holder has strong knowledge and experience in leadership and practice in the field of sustainability.

This accomplishment by the students and their professor is path breaking for the Sustainability Studies program, as they are the first students, and the first CMC faculty member, to earn the certificate. Students learned the content through their extensive coursework in Sustainability Studies and, most recently, through the program’s newly required course titled Careers and Professional Skills in Sustainability (SUS 416).

This course, first developed by Mercedes Quesada-Embid, served as an elective in the BASS for a number of years. The BASS faculty recognized the importance of devoting more attention to helping their student’s transition to work and/or further education beyond completion of the BASS degree, so they have begun requiring this course.

The students who completed the SUS 416 course this year took it as an elective because it was not required of them for their catalog year, and those who completed the ISSP-SA certification, a subset of the full class, did so as an optional part of that course. The students deserve a lot of credit for their preparation and their courage to attempt something that had not yet been attempted by BASS students (or faculty!).

The students are all from the Steamboat campus where the BASS faculty piloted the offering of this credentialing opportunity this spring. The program faculty will be discussing how best to include this opportunity in the curriculum across the BASS sites at the College.

Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship

March 29, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship

Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Department of Higher Education awards $10K to twelve of the very first Rural Teacher Fellowship Recipients

The Rural Colorado Grow Your Own Educator Act (House Bill 18-1002) was signed into law to address rural teacher shortages by creating the Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship. The Teaching Fellowship supports the first strategic goal detailed in the department’s master plan for higher education: credential completion.

Given that the fellowship is a pathway for rural teacher candidates to obtain their Colorado teaching license, it serves as a strategy to increase educator preparation credentials in Colorado.

The fellowship is a year-long clinical experience for teacher candidates in the final year of their teacher preparation programs jointly designed by rural local education providers (rural schools/districts/BOCES/charter schools) and educator preparation programs at institutes of higher education.

The rural teaching fellowship stipend is $10,000 —The Colorado Department of Higher Education contributes 50 percent and the institute of higher education contributes 50 percent through the candidate’s financial aid package.

Preference may be given to candidates who return to their home rural communities. As part of the fellowship program, teacher candidates commit to teaching in the same rural school district for two additional years beyond the fellowship year if offered employment. The Colorado Department of Higher Education can award a maximum of 100 fellowships per year.

Interested? Start by applying to for the Bachelor of Arts in Education program or Request Information from CMC Admissions.

Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship Fact Sheet

CMC Bachelor of Arts in Education student and fellowship recipient Lillian Anderson.

CMC photography students featured at ArtShare Gallery

March 18, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Dustin Gregory's surreal mountain photo, "Titcomb Falls"

“Titcomb Falls” by Dustin Gregory

Photo by Antonio Tavoletti named "Green River Passing" of Green River, Utah building

“Green River Passing” by Antonio Tavoletti

CMC ArtShare will host an opening reception for “Current Works: Students of the Colorado Mountain College Professional Photography Program” at the CMC ArtShare Gallery March 22.

The show provides an opportunity for students in the college’s Isaacson School of Communication, Arts and Media to experience exhibiting their work in a public gallery and to share and discuss their work with members of the community. “Our students enjoy this real-world experience that goes beyond what they’re taught in the classroom,” said Derek Johnston, photography professor and program director.

The reception for “Current Works” will be held 6-8 p.m. on March 22 at the ArtShare Gallery at Morgridge Commons, 815 Cooper Ave., 2^nd floor, in downtown Glenwood Springs. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Community members are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

The exhibit will remain on view in the gallery from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 20 through April 25. For more information, contact Julia Bennett at the CMC Foundation at 947-8360 or jlbennett@coloradomtn.edu, or visit cmcfoundation.org/events/.

"My First Idol" photo of model by Murphy McCoy

“My First Idol” by Murphy McCoy

Laiz, Guadalupe

March 14, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

photo from Horses of Iceland by Guadalupe Laiz

Image from "Horses of Iceland" by Guadalupe Laiz

Pro Photography Graduate Opens Aspen Gallery and Signs Book Deal

Originally from Buenos Aires, Guadalupe Laiz studied photography at CMC. In the fall of 2018, she signed a book deal with teNeues, a global publishing company, for her work photographing the horses of Iceland. She recently opened a gallery in Aspen.

Name

Guadalupe Laiz

Degree and year of graduation

Professional Photography (AAS), Class of 2014

Why did you choose to attend Colorado Mountain College?

I was looking for an affordable photography school, and I had a feeling that the CMC photo program had everything I was looking for.

What advice would you give a prospective student considering your major?

To take advantage of everything the school has to offer, to appreciate, listen to the teachers, who have years of experience and knowledge, and to focus and work very hard.

Where do you currently work? How has CMC prepared you for life after college?

I have been working as a freelance photographer for the past three years (I graduated 5 years ago). I recently opened my own gallery space where I sell my fine art photography in Aspen Colorado. So now I'm a business woman as well as a photographer. 😉

Visit QuadalupeLaiz.com

Interior of Guadalupe Laiz's Fine Art Gallery in Aspen, Colorado.

Outdoor Students Dig Into Ice Climbing

February 7, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Ice Climbing Course Introduces Students to Four-seasons of Climbing

Outdoor Recreation Leadership students spend three days on frozen falls in Leadville

photo: CMC Leadville Outdoor Recreation Leadership students in a Leadville Ice Climbing course.

Photo: Kristen Collins

Does hanging onto a wall of sheer ice while suspended 30+ feet over a mountainside sound like fun? If so, you just might belong at an adventure college. Outdoor students at Colorado Mountain College Leadville got an introduction into the world of ice climbing during a 3-day course last month. The class was taught by Dalton Reed and Thomas Davis (Kip), experienced climbers and outdoor instructors.

Ice Climbing 101

“The first day began with some gear logistics, belay practice, and introductory climbing at Chalk Falls,” says Kristen Collins, a 24-year-old Outdoor Recreation Leadership student at Colorado Mountain College, “The second and third day were spent at the Firehouse walls in Vail working on technique and more challenging climbs. The approach was steep but the natural beauty and glissade made it worth it.”

Though Kristen enjoys rock climbing, this was her first time trying its winter counterpart. The experienced outdoor instructors helped her learn new skills and build confidence.

“Kip and Dalton knew exactly how to help us improve our technique no matter what climbing experience we had,” said Kristen, who is originally from Parker, CO, “Trusting the crampons was definitely the biggest challenge because in order to engage them you have to defy your instincts. You have to drop your heels away from the wall and rely on small spikes to hold you so it’s truly a struggle of mind over matter.”

Climbing a Waterfall

Ice climbers endure rigorous physical activity, overcome mental obstacles, and experience breathtaking scenery in a supportive, communal setting.

“The greatest reward was my final climb of the course,” says Kristen, “The day before I had attempted this climb I could hardly get my feet on the wall. The next day I tucked a picture of my G’dad, who passed away 4 months ago, into my pocket and conquered that climb. I stood at the top thinking “I just climbed a waterfall with my G’dad!” It was really emotional and fulfilling.”

Perks of an #AdventureCollege

Thanks to hands-on training and incredible networking opportunities, outdoor students at Colorado Mountain College are prepared for successful careers. Many students become professional guides, wilderness instructors, or outdoor recreation business owners.

“We get to know our classmates over campfires and in ice caves,” says Kristen, “We get to know ourselves mustering up the courage to rappel into a canyon. The teachers and their experience are out of this world and truly care about each of us succeeding.”

Being a woman building a career in the outdoor industry comes with its challenges, but the community is supportive and encouraging. The outdoor industry is growing and changing, and CMC’s Outdoor Recreation Leadership students are guiding that progress.

“If it kind of scares you then you should absolutely pursue it,” says Kristen, “The most growth comes from opportunities just beyond your comfort zone and you are worth the risk. Don’t wait for it to happen, make it happen.”

Build a future in the outdoor industry with an Outdoor Recreation Leadership degree.

Dallas Capozza, Class of 2018

January 24, 2019 By cmctestgenesis

Engineering Graduate Lands NASA Job

Capozza programs fire detection and suppression systems for space station’s moon orbit

Dallas Capozza

Why did you choose to attend Colorado Mountain College?

I wanted to find a community college in Colorado that assisted with living. It turned out Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs had that as well as my major! (I started out going for physics and then switched to engineering.)

Who was your favorite professor at CMC? Why?

I couldn’t chose a favorite. I am so grateful for Steve Craig, Paul McCudden, and Joyce Treulieb. All three of those professors had my back and pushed me to my success. Joyce helped me understand math, Steve inspired me to go into engineering, and if it wasn’t for Paul I never would have made it to NASA.

Where do you currently work? How has CMC prepared you for life after college?

I currently work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. I work in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division in the Life Support Systems branch. I am writing the code for an autonomous fire detection and suppression system. This will be used for the space station called Gateway that is going to orbit the moon. CMC has helped me with a better work ethic ( I worked three jobs as an RA and two work study jobs) as well as a better school ethic for going to get my bachelor’s degree.

What advice would you give a prospective student considering your major?

Get involved in anything and everything! Colorado Mountain College was the most involved school I have ever attended, which made it my absolute favorite. Going to school there didn’t feel like a chore or a bummer. Being involved made it exciting to wake up and go to class every day.