CMC iWorks Changemaker Lab

A pilot experience for a new CMC iWorks Creative Agency Certificate | Planned to launch 2027

Do you want to use creativity to make a positive difference in your community?

The CMC iWorks Changemaker Lab experience is a fall + spring course sequence for people who want to use storytelling, media, design, communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving to create real community impact.

This Changemaker Lab pilots an exciting new educational offering currently under development: the CMC iWorks Creative Agency Certificate, designed to help participants to build professional skills, creative confidence, and the personal agency to turn meaningful ideas into real-world action.

Through the Changemaker Lab, participants will work with CMC faculty, creative professionals, students, and community partners to explore local needs, develop creative solutions, and produce work that serves a real audience.

Real projects. Real partners. Real impact.

Who This Is For

The CMC iWorks Changemaker Lab is designed for creative, community-minded people who are ready to learn by doing.

This may be a strong fit for you if you are:

  • An artist, designer, storyteller, filmmaker, photographer, writer, performer, organizer, advocate, educator, entrepreneur, nonprofit staff member, volunteer, or community leader
  • Already doing creative or community-based work and looking for a stronger framework, cohort, and professional network
  • Interested in using media, communication, design, events, campaigns, or public storytelling to support positive change
  • Looking to build professional relationships with CMC students, faculty, creative professionals, and community partners
  • Ready to collaborate, listen deeply, develop ideas, and bring a project from concept toward public impact
  • Interested in helping shape a new CMC certificate pathway for future students and community members

You do not need to fit one narrow definition of “creative professional.” We are looking for people with creative energy, community commitment, curiosity, follow-through, and a desire to contribute.

What You Will Do

Participants will move through a guided creative process across two semesters.

You will:

  • Identify a meaningful community challenge, need, or opportunity.
  • Collaborate in interdisciplinary teams throughout the creative process.
  • Research the issue, engage with community stakeholders, and build a network of partners.
  • Design, test, refine and carryout a creative project that addresses a real community challenge.
  • Develop professional skills in collaboration, project management, storytelling, communication, creative problem-solving, and presentation.
  • Receive feedback from faculty, creative professionals, community partners, and peers.
  • Create portfolio-worthy work with real community impact.
  • Help pilot and shape the future CMC iWorks Creative Agency Certificate.

This experience is about more than developing a creative project. It's about learning how to collaborate across disciplines, understand community challenges, build on the strengths of a team, and develop the confidence to use creativity and personal agency to create meaningful change in your community.

Schedule and Format

The Changemaker Lab is a two-semester pilot experience:

  • Fall 2026
    • Monday evenings from 6 - 8:50 pm
    • Classes begin on August 10th
  • Spring 2027
    • Wednesday evenings 6 - 8:50 pm

Participants may attend in person or online.

This experience is designed for people balancing work, family, and other commitments, while still offering the structure of college coursework and a committed cohort.

Cost

The Changemaker Lab experience is comprised of 2 (two) 3-credit courses. Visit the Tuition and Costs page for information on attendance costs. Tuition support may be available for qualified students. Space is limited for this small-cohort, hands-on learning experience.

How to Apply 

Instructor approval is required to enroll in these courses. To apply, please send the following materials:

  1. Creative portfolio and/or community-based resume/CV

This could include examples of creative work, media projects, design work, writing, events, campaigns, advocacy, nonprofit work, volunteer leadership, community organizing, or other relevant experience.

  1. Personal statement

Please share a brief statement addressing:

  • Why does the CMC iWorks Changemaker Lab experience speak to you personally?
  • What would you hope to contribute to the cohort?
  • What would you hope to gain from participating?

Please note: This is a collaborative studio experience. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas, interests, and community challenges to the cohort, but projects are developed through a shared creative process. Not every idea will move forward, and participants should be prepared to both lead and contribute as members of a collaborative team.

Application deadline: Friday, July 24, 2026

Please send application materials and questions to:

Mark Millhone

Program Director, Integrated Media

Director, Isaacson Works / iWorks Creative Agency

mmillhone@coloradomtn.edu

About iWorks

The Changemaker Lab experience is supported by Isaacson Works “iWorks” Colorado Mountain College’s student-powered creative agency.

iWorks gives students opportunities to work on applied creative projects with real clients and community partners while developing professional workflows, collaborative skills, and portfolio-ready work.

The Changemaker Lab brings that same spirit into a new community-facing format: a creative cohort for people who want to build skills, strengthen their agency, and contribute to positive change.

Learn more about iWorks

Lead Instructors

Brijetta Hall Waller

Brijetta brings deep experience in community-engaged creative work, project development, and guiding students through meaningful public-facing creative processes. Her teaching centers collaboration, creative problem solving, and helping students connect their ideas to real communities and audiences.

Mark Millhone

Mark Millhone is Program Director for Integrated Media at Colorado Mountain College and Director of the Isaacson Works “iWorks” Creative Agency. His work connects storytelling, media production, creative leadership, professional practice, and hands-on learning with real clients and community partners.

Questions?

For questions about the CMC iWorks Changemaker Lab, application materials, schedule, or fit, please contact:

Mark Millhone | mmillhone@coloradomtn.edu

Application deadline: Friday, July 24, 2026