Courtesy photo
- Occupation:
retired CMC professor - Hometown: Glenwood
Springs - Years in
Colorado: 39 - Family:
husband, Bob; daughters, Emma Axelson and Molly Sustad; son-in-law, Greg Sustad;
grandson expected any day; dogs, Sophie and Maggie; and granddogs, Olive, Kali
and Tot. - Civic
involvement: CMC Vet Tech advisory board; P.E.O. Elegant Auction and
scholarship work, past president; RE-1 district committee work, parent
volunteer; Glenwood Springs High School Governance Council, past chair; Frontier
Historical Society, past president; and Glenwood Springs Historic Preservation
Commission, past chair.
Education has been a constant in my life since kindergarten. I
believe that learning brings understanding and focus. Besides … it’s fun. I
have been most fortunate to live in a wonderful community and work in a meaningful
job I love. In addition to teaching developmental studies, history, education
and learning lab, my job experience encompasses extensive committee work both
campus- and collegewide in budget, curriculum, mentoring, strategic planning
and developing mission. I retired after more than 30 years as a full-time faculty
member at Colorado Mountain College, and I have continued to teach, tutor and
volunteer. Every board needs a diverse composition, and I bring a student-focused
perspective and a knowledge of higher education that will be beneficial to the
Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees.
Priority No. 1: Affordability
CMC, through the incredible support of mill levies and the
backing of our district counties, has offered our communities the possibility
to pursue and meet goals that educate teachers, nurses, EMTs, veterinarian
technicians, accountants, law enforcement and some 120 more certificates and
degrees. All of these possibilities plus classes for personal growth and
lifelong learning are available while living in the college district. To remain
student-centered in these evolving times, CMC must continue to offer an
affordable quality education. The college has been a leader in keeping students’
college costs affordable, and in my service on the Roaring Fork Campus
Scholarship committee, we worked to help students with the many financial
challenges that arise. CMC has long worked to offer financial assistance to
students who need it, most recently with a new source, graciously backed by
donors, named Fund Suenos (Dream Fund) as an option for students not eligible
to receive federal financial aid. We must continue to help our diverse
population gain education and strengthen our society.
Priority No. 2: Preserve quality while planning for
the future
In the learning environment, CMC must strive to remain nimble to
address ever evolving student goals and community workforce demands. The
college’s faculty and staff must be supported to sustain and grow the programs
and degrees now offered. We need to build the faculty. It is critically important
for the college to attract, hire and support innovative faculty. The addition
of four-year degrees at CMC has been an amazing step, and while the college must
continue to be open to expanding new programs and degrees, any new areas must
follow a well-constructed process of research and planning that includes input
from community members, college employees and state offices.
Priority No. 3: Accountability
Through thoughtful stewardship, students, staff, faculty and programs must continue to be supported as future opportunities and challenges arise. Student-centered decisions must drive resource allocation as the college expands. With the continued demands on funding, fiscal transparency and increased communication are not only desired but necessary for continued public support in our college district. CMC has values and guiding principles that stress integrity, responsibility and accountability, and these must dominate our future direction and decisions.
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