Karla Hardesty

Karla Hardesty

Karla Hardesty

Dean of Academic Support/Accreditation Liaison Officer
719-539-7908 | kjhardesty@coloradomtn.edu
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers

2024 Full-time Staff of the Year, CMC Central Services

Education

  • BS, Colorado State University
  • MA, University of Wyoming

Current Professional Memberships

  • American Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education
  • CDHE General Education Credential Taskforce
  • Colorado Regional Assessment Council

Former Professional memberships

  • Reimagining College Access Taskforce
  • WICHE Interstate Passport (Colorado facilitator)
  • AACRAO
  • RMASFAA
  • Academic Management Institute
  • CDHE Assessment Subcommittee

Personal Interests

I am studying higher education in the University of Denver's education doctoral program, alongside with a great cohort of fellow CMC colleagues. In addition to my professional passion for striving to improve education access and attainment in Colorado, especially for marginalized populations, I have served in healthcare governance roles for over 15 years, hoping to improve healthcare access for better, more equitable health outcomes in Colorado's communities. I chair the board of San Luis Valley Health and have served on various taskforces, councils, and boards with the Colorado Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association, and the National Rural Health Association. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, and trying to have a green thumb.

Family

I grew up in Salida but also remember CMC as a child when my mom worked at what is now Spring Valley (and I took a correspondence course in the 1990s). My spouse Matt, also from Salida, and I hope to enjoy more of Colorado's outdoors now that our children are grown and pursuing college and professional career goals.