Student For A Day at CMC Leadville

Jim Kohlmoos.

Keynote Speaker - Jim Kohlmoos

Jim Kohlmoos is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, co-founder and partner of EDGE Consulting LLC, and a senior advisor to the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships. With more than four decades of experience in education leadership, Kohlmoos supports new innovative approaches in policy development, organizational management, research and development, marketing, and evaluation.

Kohlmoos’ experience in senior level positions also included serving as the executive director of the National Association of State Boards of Education, president and CEO of Knowledge Alliance, and vice president of The Implementation Group. Kohlmoos also served at the U.S. Department of Education, as both deputy assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education, and as senior adviser and special assistant. He also served on the United States presidential transition team in 1992.

A graduate of Stanford University, Kohlmoos started his career in education with the U.S. Teacher Corps in Salinas, CA, and subsequently served two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Malaysia as a professional development specialist. Kohlmoos and his wife, Ruth Goltzer, have split their time between Leadville and Arlington, Virginia, for nearly 20 years.

ECO SYSTEM SCIENCE & STEWARDSHIP

Dr. Monia Haselhorst, Professor of Ecosystem Science & Stewardship; Program Chair of Ecosystem Science & Stewardship

  • Ph.D., Botany, University of Wyoming
  • M.S., Biology, Department of Plant Ecology, Uppsala University, Sweden

Prepare to venture to the beautiful outdoors on the CMC Campus trails to explore and learn how students are monitoring the forest ecosystem health before and after wildfire mitigation. Please wear appropriate shoes and bring jackets/layers for changing weather conditions.

FIRE SCIENCE

Brandon Drury, Assistant Professor of Fire Science

  • AAS, Fire Academy, Colorado Mountain College
  • Certificate, EMT, Colorado Mountain College
  • Certificate, Live Fire 1403 Instructor
  • Certificate, Hazardous Materials Operations

Kaboom…let’s set some stuff on fire! Learn about rapid fire development in modern construction. This demonstration will help explain what our fire science students are learning about fire dynamics including heightened risks, types of materials used in construction, and furnishings that fuel faster and more intense fires. We will be outside in the CMC parking lot, so dress accordingly for the weather.

SKI AREA OPERATIONS

Ben Cairns, Vice President & Campus Dean, CMC Leadville & Salida

  • Master Of Public Affairs, CU Denver
  • School Leadership and Principal Licensure, University of Denver
  • BA Philosophy, Wheaton College

Get up close and personal with a snow cat! In this class we’ll head over to our heavy equipment area to learn about how our program prepares students for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Ski Area Operations. Students in this program are getting hands-on experience in heavy equipment operations, snowmaking, snow cat grooming, ski patrol operations and the new Ropeway Mechanical Maintenance program. Graduates of our program secure year-round employment, locally, nationally and even globally, benefiting from strong industry connections and practical experience. Did you know that one of the main ingredients in making artificial snow is bacteria? Join us and learn more about this exciting career field.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Jonathan Burke, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science

  • B.A. History, Minor Environmental Studies,
  • Hampden-Sydney College
  • NREMT - Paramedic, Colorado Mountain College
  • Critical Care Paramedic, Creighton University

Step into a class where the heart takes center stage—along with the urgent care of other critical injuries and ailments. Get acquainted with our lifelike manikins as we dive into the world of CMC EMT students. Together, we'll explore the cutting-edge tools and high-fidelity simulations that sharpen their skills in life-saving techniques and essential interventions, from CPR to AED training. Join me in this immersive journey where every second counts!

OUTDOOR RECREATION LEADERSHIP

Kathleen Law, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

  • M.ED, Harvard University
  • BA, Sociology, Wesleyan University

The Outdoor Recreation Leadership Associate of Applied Science degree equips students with technical skills in mountaineering, emergency medicine, rock climbing, and more, while emphasizing environmental stewardship, communication, and leadership. Graduates are sought after for roles as guides, park rangers, and outdoor educators. The program prepares students for immediate employment or further studies in Sustainability or Business at CMC or other institutions. This dynamic program adapts to meet student, community, and industry needs. Join me in visiting our Gear Library where you’ll see the bikes, kayaks, wet suits and camping gear that students use, as well as the food station where they learn what and how much to pack when taking groups out for a 10-day wilderness experience. We will also visit the climbing wall to see where Top Rope, Sport, and Climbing Self-Rescue classes begin their instruction.

STUDY ABROAD

Rob Simpson, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Services

  • M.ED, College of Student Affairs, Azusa Pacific University
  • B.A., Physical Education, Azusa Pacific University

Every year CMC students have the opportunity to travel the globe for 2 to 6 weeks learning about different cultures, experiencing the beauty of new landscapes, and completing college credits towards their academic goals. In 2022 and 2024 Dr. Simon Waldbaum and Rob Simpson from CMC's Salida campus took a group of students to Baja, Mexico. The coastline and islands of the Baja peninsula provide an unparalleled ‘classroom’ to learn sea kayaking leadership skills on the open water and explore the marine life and natural history of the region’s ecosystem! Come join us to hear more about the Baja study abroad experience and hear from one of the students that participated in the most recent trip in May 2024.