The Isaacson School for Communication, Arts & Media at Colorado Mountain College
Telling the stories of today with the tools of tomorrow
This isn’t your standard learning experience. We push limits and ask important questions. We encourage independent thinking and synergistic collaboration. We’re out in the field as much as we’re in the studio. We look at things differently, and we’re guessing that if you’ve landed here, you do, too.
Select an area of interest below to learn more
Select an area of interest below to learn more
The Isaacson School for Communication, Arts & Media at Colorado Mountain College is for creators. Innovative thinkers from around the world are drawn to our mountain communities, sparking an environment that is rich for creative communications.
Walter Isaacson is among those thinkers. He is one of the most influential communicators of our generation. The former managing editor of Time Magazine, CEO of CNN and the Aspen Institute, he is also the best-selling author of many books including Steve Jobs’ biography.
Walter has given his name to the Isaacson School with the goal of training thoughtful creators using the best technology and industry-standard tools available.
The Isaacson School is where Colorado's creative spirit meets professional excellence. In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, we prepare storytellers, artists, and communicators to shape culture and drive change through authentic, innovative work that connects mountain communities and global audiences. We offer several degrees and certificates:
- Digital Media
- Fine Arts
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Communication
- Theatre
CMC Theatre Presents The White Chip
Colorado Mountain College and Sopris Theatre Company will present The White Chip, a powerful and darkly funny play by Sean Daniels, directed by Julia Whalen. The production will be staged at the New Space Theatre in Spring Valley and features a mix of evening and matinee performances in February. The White Chip tells the story of Steven McAlister, a man who appears to have mastered the art of success. Between… Read more: CMC Theatre Presents The White Chip
Gallery Talk at CMC Aspen: Meet the Artnauts
The Colorado Mountain College Aspen Campus and Gallery will host a special gallery talk on January 27 in conjunction with the Spring Exhibition Artnauts: Global Rhizome from the Archive. The event begins at 5:30 pm and offers an opportunity to hear directly from the artists behind the exhibition. During the gallery talk, members of Artnauts will discuss who they are, what they do, and why their work matters. Known for… Read more: Gallery Talk at CMC Aspen: Meet the Artnauts
CMC Culinary Faculty Featured at TEDxBreckenridge Salon on Elevated Cuisine
Colorado Mountain College culinary faculty will take center stage at an upcoming TEDxBreckenridge Salon event titled “Elevated Cuisine: The Science and Art of Cooking at Altitude,” scheduled for January 15, 2026, in Frisco. The event highlights the expertise of Chef Kevin Clarke, CCE, JD, Director of Culinary Education at CMC’s Summit Campus, and Chef Bernhard Schrag, Executive Chef of the Recreational Culinary Institute at the Summit Campus. Together, Clarke and… Read more: CMC Culinary Faculty Featured at TEDxBreckenridge Salon on Elevated Cuisine
Jay Beltran: I Got Everything I Needed at CMC
Jay Beltran is the Marketing Specialist for Six Productions, a national premier, live event production company. Her journey began in 2019 at the Isaacson School at Colorado Mountain College, where she became the first in her Hispanic family to attend college.
With the wide range of technical skills needed for jobs in the Digital Media field, Jay says, “I got everything I needed at CMC – graphic design, camera ops, video, marketing. Everything I studied, I am implementing in my day to day tasks.” Read more: Jay Beltran: I Got Everything I Needed at CMC
Juliana Garcia: Living Her Best Life
Juliana Garcia says she is living her best life at age 21, working at her dream job at a dream agency, something few can say of their careers even in later life.
After earning her associate’s degree in graphic design at the Isaacson School at Colorado Mountain College, she became the first person selected for a unique scholarship and internship opportunity to continue her education. The Integrated Media Scholarship, a cooperative venture between CMC and the marketing agency Backbone, provided a year’s worth of bachelor’s-level tuition and a three-month internship at the agency. Read more: Juliana Garcia: Living Her Best Life
School Dean Alumni Highlight
Guarnero always knew she wanted to pursue her master’s degree once her son was in kindergarten. When that time arrived, she began looking into schools, but it was challenging to find any master’s degree programs located in her area of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Enter CSU Global! “I hadn’t been in school for a very long time, so the design for working adults made a lot of sense to me,” she shared.
Before enrolling and during her time as a student at CSU Global, Guarnero worked as a full-time associate professor of restaurant and culinary management at Colorado Mountain College. She knew obtaining a master’s degree would open up opportunities to advance in her career. Read more: School Dean Alumni Highlight