Rebecca Kanaly: Giving Back Locally

photo - Rebecca Kanaly

Many people dream of changing the world. Rebecca Kanaly is taking it local, creating sustainable change in Eagle County and the communities she loves. Rebecca graduated from Colorado Mountain College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an Entrepreneurship Emphasis. After that, she earned her Executive Master of Business Administration from the Daniels…

Read More

Jenell Hilderbrand: Career Evolution

photo - Janell Hilderbrand

In 2001 I graduated from CMC with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. I had always worked in the medical profession and after moving to Glenwood Springs in 1994 as a single mother I started taking classes at the college. I worked three jobs and worked my way through the nursing program. Right in the middle…

Read More

Gail Hedberg: My Success Story

photo - Gail Hedberg with a zoo polar

My career and commitment to veterinary medicine has encompassed all types and varieties of animal care.  For the past 40 years, I have focused on the specific health care needs of zoo animals. As a Registered Veterinary Technician, my job has included, but has not been limited to, assisting zoo veterinarians with anesthesia, surgical nursing,…

Read More

Gill Thompson: Everything Happens for a Reason

photo - Gill Thompson

In 2002 I was a senior in high school and I thought I had life figured out. I was going to attend CU Boulder, get a degree in Business and then be on my way to a million dollar salary. Oh man, was I wrong. I got denied from CU Boulder, and then I turned…

Read More

Maegan Carney: National & World Champion

photo - Maegan Carney

Maegan Carney maintained impressive academic and athletic records while a student at Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs. She was the National Collegiate Ski Association slalom and overall ski champion in 1988 and 1989, and was named the national student athlete of the year both years, with a 4.0 GPA. Maegan says her days at Colorado…

Read More

Mark Arriola: Chef by the Sea

photo - CMC graduate Mark Arriola surfing a stand up paddleboard.

Mark Arriola had never seen snow until he moved to Summit County to begin his culinary education at Colorado Mountain College. Originally from coastal Texas, he fell in love with snowboarding and the natural beauty of the mountains. But after graduating with a culinary arts degree, he traded his snowboard for a surfboard once again.…

Read More

Dr. Ron Carsten: Pioneering Alternative Veterinary Care

photo - Ron Carsten

Veterinarian Dr. Ron Carsten is no stranger to blazing his own path. His career started somewhat nontraditionally with a two-year degree in animal health technology from Colorado Mountain College. But instead of becoming a veterinary technician, he became one of the few graduates of the CMC program to pursue veterinary school and earn a DVM…

Read More

Tim Hellickson: Personal Mentorship

photo - Tim Hellickson

When Tim Hellickson first arrived at Colorado Mountain College, he was more focused on snowboarding than academics. Today, he is at MIT on the team that is developing the world’s largest telescope. Although he had a less than stellar GPA in high school, the college’s open enrollment admissions process gave Tim the opportunity to take…

Read More

Alex Curtiss: Immersive Experience Leads to Master’s at Brandeis

Photo - Alex Curtis

Following a 30 day NOLS sailing course in the Bahamas, Alex Curtiss wanted to give school another shot. He visited CMC, then decided to move to Glenwood Springs to pursue his education. He came late to college, focusing his time instead on civic engagement and community involvement. “Academia was never my thing,” he says. Prior…

Read More

Rob Goodwin: Lifelong Learner

graphic - CMC 50th Anniversary

By Mike McKibbin As the deputy fire chief for the Carbondale Fire District, Rob Goodwin taught emergency medical technician classes for many years and estimated having completed between 20-25 classes “at least” over the last three decades as a non-traditional student. “As you might guess, I love CMC,” he said. “It’s such a great and…

Read More