CMC students and alumna participate in prestigious internship program

For two sustainability studies students and one alumna from Colorado Mountain College, Scripps Institution of Oceanography has provided valuable opportunities to research critical environmental and water systems right here in Colorado.

Each summer, selected college students are linked with leading scientists at Scripps through a prestigious and highly competitive internship program at the institution's Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, or CW3E. Students gain research training experience as they study western weather, water and climate extremes.

In 2020, CMC Steamboat Springs alumna Madison Muxworthy, who graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in sustainability studies, was the first from Colorado Mountain College accepted into this unique research internship program. The following year, Muxworthy served as a co-mentor and field assistant for CMC Steamboat Springs student Rachel Santi, while sustainability studies student Rachael Jones from CMC Spring Valley completed her research in the Roaring Fork Valley.

A pathway to science

Dr. Nathan Stewart, associate professor of sustainability studies at CMC Steamboat Springs, spearheaded Colorado Mountain College's participation in Scripps' internship program in 2016 after numerous discussions with CW3E's director, Dr. F. Martin Ralph.

"CMC's bachelors students are attending an open access, rural Western Slope college that is underrepresented in advanced STEM research," said Stewart. "We saw an opportunity to create a career springboard for CMC students at a leading research institution such as Scripps."

Even though Scripps, which is headquartered in La Jolla, California, and a part of the University of California San Diego, is located far from the Western Slope of Colorado, CMC students had plenty of relevant research to conduct exclusively in the state. None of them ever visited Scripps, and instead focused their research specifically in the Yampa and Roaring Fork valleys.

Madison Muxworthy found her way to CMC's Steamboat Springs campus in 2015 from upstate New York when she was recruited to join CMC's ski team. She competed in Division 1 collegiate racing, and along the way, her passion for environmental science developed.

"I took advantage of the college's sustainability work study program and interned at the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council," she said of her current employer, where she is now the soil moisture, water and snow program manager.

After earning her degree and while working with YVSC, she interned with CW3E, joining 10 other interns who were chosen from colleges and universities throughout the western U.S. Her research focused on measuring streamflow variability in the Upper Yampa River Basin.

"I gained a better understanding of how water managers predict water supplies, and how we can make better decisions through increased data," she said of her research. "It's led me to continue to develop soil and climate monitoring that's relevant to our area."

Rachel Santi is a current CMC Steamboat Springs sustainability studies student and a U.S. Forest Service intern through the Rocky Mountain Land Management Internship program at CMC.

During her CW3E internship in 2021 she was mentored not only by Dr. Anna Wilson from CW3E and Dr. Michelle Stewart, executive director of the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, but Muxworthy and Nathan Stewart as well. Santi focused her internship on conducting original research on soil moisture in the Yampa River Basin, the Flat Tops and Buffalo Pass.

For Rachael Jones, a CMC Spring Valley at Glenwood Spring student and a CW3E intern, her time teaching English in China while living in a city of 20 million people inspired her to focus on a bachelor's degree in sustainability studies when she returned to the States, and to apply to Scripps' internship program.

"Before, I took the outdoors for granted," she said. "I gained a huge appreciation towards protecting the environment."

With guidance from Elise Osenga, the community science manager at the Aspen Global Change Institute, Jones created original inter-basin comparisons between the Roaring Fork River and Yampa River basins, with a focus on warming and drying.

Women in science

According to the 2020 U.S. census, in 1970, only 8% of American women were science, technology, engineering and math workers. Today, the percentages have increased, though just 27% of women in the U.S. are working in STEM fields.

These women studying, researching and working in science, are proving to be valuable contributors of the scientific community. And their work continues. From Dec. 13-17, Jones, Santi, Muxworthy and their mentors co-presented their original research at the Fall 2021 Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, a premier annual scientific conference of the earth and space science community. Their research poster, titled "Enriching Internships through Cross-Watershed Collaboration" was accepted into a special session about cultivating collaboration of STEM education, research and outreach teams, and is on display through January 2022 in New Orleans.

"Madison, Rachel and Rachael represent the upwards trajectory of women in science," Stewart said. "Our affiliation with Scripps Institution, the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and the Aspen Global Change Institute is providing our students with the skills necessary for them to pursue meaningful careers in science."

Steamboat Springs City Council swearing in ceremony.

New members of Steamboat Springs City Council were sworn into office on Nov. 9. From left, Ed Briones, Joella West, Gail Garey and Dakotah McGinlay.

CMC student elected to Steamboat Springs City Council

It was election night and CMC Steamboat Springs student Dakotah McGinlay was following the returns closely, anxiously waiting to see if she had won a seat on Steamboat Springs City Council.

“There was a lot of energy and excitement, but uncertainty as the results were very close for a few hours,” recalled McGinlay, who will graduate this fall with a bachelor’s degree in sustainability studies.

“When it was official, I got really emotional because I began to think of all the people who supported me and believed in me along the way.”

McGinlay’s foray into politics started as a result of a call to action in her local newspaper, which solicited more diverse candidates in age, race, gender and economics for city council.

“The lightbulb went off in my head,” said McGinlay. “I thought, maybe I should throw my name out there.”

Finding her passion at Colorado Mountain College

Born in Colorado Springs, McGinlay, 26, grew up in a military family and moved around the state before landing in Steamboat Springs about five years ago.

It didn’t take long for her to find Colorado Mountain College. McGinlay said she immediately took an interest in the CMC Steamboat Springs Beekeeping Club, which quickly grew to a passion in environmental science.

“I really was trying to find a way to channel my passion into some type of meaningful action,” said McGinlay. “So, I’ll always have a love and gratitude toward CMC. It’s changed my life in so many ways.”

McGinlay said another big draw was CMC’s affordability. She said the low cost provides increased accessibility to someone who may not have the means to do it all by themselves.

“Dakotah’s experience at CMC has been a great time of leadership growth,” said Dr. Tina Evans, professor of sustainability studies at CMC Steamboat Springs. “It has helped her understand the importance of place, community, relationships and service.”

Local impact in her community

McGinlay was sworn in as a city councilwoman on Nov. 9. She sees the next four years as getting a “master’s degree in everything Steamboat Springs.”

“I took on a big responsibility, but I know where I can make the biggest impact on things is right here in my local community, making local change,” McGinlay said.

She hopes to foster sustainability efforts on a local level through the Routt County Climate Action Plan and by supporting local businesses.

“During my campaign, I couldn’t help but grow a tremendous appreciation for our community,” she said. “This is a unique community and we have challenges but I bring a valuable perspective as a younger resident.”

Matthew Jost, M.A.

Assistant Dean of Instruction
970-870-4527 | mjost@coloradomtn.edu

Education

MA-Adult and Post Secondary Education
BA-Entrepreneurial Management
EMT-B
WFR

Professional Interests

Outdoor Education, River Sustainability, Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness Medicine, Avalanche Safety Education.

Family

My family is my world! We love going on adventures and learning together.

Personal Interests

White water kayaking, backcountry skiing, ski patrolling.

‘No place on Earth like CMC’

Ali Henry graduates with a bachelor’s from CMC Breckenridge

Ali Henry was working in a Breckenridge restaurant when she decided that she needed to shift her focus.

“One day the cook asked me, ‘If you care so much about animals and nature, why do you still eat them and why don’t you do something to help Earth?’” Henry said. “That evening I went home and educated myself. I went vegan overnight and enrolled at CMC the next day. I then learned about sustainability studies and my entire life fell into the perfect pathway for this degree.”

Henry said that her time at Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge expanded her mind in new ways.

“I learned about environmentalists who have changed the world,” said the graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in sustainability studies in May 2020. “I learned about biomimicry, conservation, endangered species, TerraCycling and so much more that I will use throughout my life.”

The knowledge she gained also prepared her to create the “Not-so-Silent Auction: Australian Wildlife Relief” this past February at CMC Breckenridge. Along with fellow CMC students, the fundraiser generated nearly $5,000 for wildlife injured by Australia’s devastating wildfires.

Now that her bachelor’s program at Colorado Mountain College is complete, Henry wants others to know what a special and unique experience CMC offers.

“I want people to know that there is no other place on Earth like CMC,” she said. “If you have an opportunity to attend classes or get a degree at CMC, take it. We are so blessed to have a college throughout the Rocky Mountains with people who care about your well-being and have such incredible energy. It’s made me a better and much more educated human being.”

Sustainability degree follows Brocato’s lifelong aspirations

Kate Brocato worked with the Bear Park Permaculture Garden, here, and beekeeping club at CMC Steamboat.

Kate Brocato was studying environmental science and had attended two large universities. Then, quite by surprise, she discovered Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs – and its sustainability studies program.

“The degree isn’t available at many other colleges,” Brocato said. “It covers the many facets of sustainability, from natural sciences to business and ethics.”

In addition, she appreciated the Steamboat campus’s approachable professors and small class sizes – different from what she had experienced before.

Brocato graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts in sustainability studies. In many ways, she had been aspiring to earn the degree her whole life.

“Even at a young age I recognized the harmful effects that human action could have on many of the places that I loved so dearly,” she said.

And when Brocato was 12, her dad and stepmom started a community garden – which still exists. She grew up appreciating fresh vegetables and local food.

“It was one of the primary drivers behind why I have leaned towards food systems work during my college career,” she said.

Many ways to grow

Brocato took part in multiple opportunities for learning and growth.

“Working with the Bear Park Permaculture Garden and as vice president of the beekeeping club has given me a trajectory for my future career path,” she said.

She said that sustainability professor Tina Evans taught her valuable lessons about permaculture – and more. “I learned leadership and team management skills under Tina,” Brocato said.

Brocato feels that Colorado Mountain College has prepared her well for entering the workforce and being a sustainability leader and communicator.

“The close-knit community of CMC and the friends that I have made along the way will be something that sticks with me for a lifetime,” she said.

CMC Professor Dr. Tina Evans presented her "Roadmap" webinar hosted by the Sustainability Curriculum Consortium on January 23, 2020.

Dr. Evans' recently published article, “Competencies and Pedagogies for Sustainability Education: A Roadmap for Sustainability Studies Program Development in Colleges and Universities,” is attracting national and international attention both for her leadership and the Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies program.

The scholarly article presents a set of five competencies for the sustainability field and effective pedagogies for teaching them. The five include:

Systems Competence
Critical and Normative Competence
Interpersonal and Communication Competence
Creative and Strategic Competence
Transdisciplinary Competence

Dr. Evans earned her Ph.D. in Sustainability Education at Prescott College and teaches at CMC Steamboat Springs and other CMC campuses.