Finishing the journey at Colorado Mountain College

Commencement student speaker to earn degree he began years ago

By Mike McKibbin, Colorado Mountain College

A soon-to-be Colorado Mountain College graduate is close to completing his own long and winding road that led him back for a second — or is it his first? — CMC degree.

Jesse Garcia will be the student speaker at the Saturday, May 2, Spring Valley commencement ceremony for students from the Aspen, Carbondale, Spring Valley and Glenwood Springs campuses.

Garcia is an Aspen High School graduate and works as a fire code official with the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority.

Finishing what he started

The Carbondale resident is a non-traditional age student who began the CMC Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership and Management program years ago but could not complete it after he entered the workforce.

Garcia continued learning at another institution, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fire administration and is on track for his Master of Public Administration degree in emergency services within the next year.

But he always intended to return to CMC to finish what he started: Garcia’s first exposure to higher education played a key role in shaping his academic and professional path.

“CMC has been a strong community partner, especially in making higher education accessible and attainable,” he explained in text answers to several questions. “Returning to complete this program feels like closing a meaningful chapter while continuing to build the leadership skills that support my work in public service.”

The journey matters

CMC Spring Valley counselor Andrea Caruso said the college named Garcia the student speaker because “his speech really will resonate with our graduates and our community.”

Garcia applied for the honor to speak at the commencement ceremony because it represents his journey.

“My path hasn’t been perfect or straightforward and I know I’m not alone in that,” he said. "Many of us have faced setbacks, doubts, long nights and moments when quitting would have been easier.”

Garcia wanted to “stand up and speak not just for myself, but for everyone in our class who had to fight to be here."

Garcia said his speech is "for the people who worked full-time, supported their families, struggled quietly or questioned whether they belonged," he added. "This role is a chance to recognize those stories and remind every graduate their journey matters.”

Serving the community

Garcia added his speech signifies a turning point in his life: the difference between spending time and investing in it.

“When I finally decided to commit and to truly invest my time and energy into this journey of higher education, it changed everything,” he said. “Not just academically, but in how I saw myself and what I believed I was capable of.

Among the obstacles and distractions along the way were moments of self-doubt and times when Garcia questioned whether going back to school was the right decision.

“Balancing work and family responsibilities and school required discipline and sacrifice, and there were times when it would have been easier to stay comfortable rather than push forward,” he stated.

Garcia expressed appreciation to his family — “a strong support system” — along with fire service colleagues.

After graduation, Garcia plans to remain in the Roaring Fork Valley and serve the community.

Spring Valley’s commencement ceremonies are scheduled for noon on Saturday, May 2, in the Outdoor Leadership Center and Field House, 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs. The public is welcome.

Visit Graduation Spring 2026 for more information.