Education

PhD, University of Idaho: Wildlife Resources
MS, Utah State University: Wildlife Science
BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Biology

Biography

Bruce Ackerman, PhD, has worked as a professional wildlife biologist since 1975. He has conducted research on manatees in Florida, mule deer in Idaho, mountain lions in Utah and other species. 

Most recently, Ackerman worked for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game focusing on the behavior of human hunters and fisherman. 

He retired from full-time work in July 2016 and now currently lives in Montrose, Colorado. Ackerman will teach Introduction to Environmental Science in fall 2018.

Ackerman's personal interests include bird-watching, hiking, camping, kayaking, rafting, downhill skiing and traveling. 

William Adams, PhD, has worked as a senior project manager, vice president and president for specialty construction and engineer consultancy service companies for more than 20 years. His recent graduate research for Environmental Geography at Texas State University has provided Adams with the experience and knowledge pertaining to surface and ground water laws, land conservation, stakeholder facilitation, grant writing, fundraising, and the ability to effectively engage and motivate public involvement with their environment. Two themes that emerged from Adams doctoral research are, first, with growing populations it is critically important to maintain land in conservation to protect our water resources quantity and quality. Second, education and outreach to the public is critical to drive sound environmental policy legislation at the local, state and national level. The public, as a major stakeholder, must be actively engaged. Key objectives needed are sediment prevention, low impact development and mitigate contaminated storm water runoff.

Adams participation with the San Marcos Watershed Initiative and Greenbelt Alliance has provided him the opportunity to be involved in watershed protection efforts. He has served as past president of the San Marcos Lions Club, vice president of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance and secretary with the San Marcos Citizens Utility Advisory Board that has provided a balance of community service and outreach for land, water and energy regional planning.

Adams has the proven ability to communicate ideas, organize events and manage complex, multiple projects. This experience provides effective working relationships with agency personnel, the community and board members/executive stakeholder steering committees.

Curriculum vitae

Connect with William Adams on LinkedIn

Teaching Philosophy

Adams has more than 20 years in the applied construction industry through hands-on experience both in the trades and management. Within his own organization, he believes in providing opportunities for new employees to learn and advance with the organization through apprenticeship programs. Academically, Adams subscribes to the tenant that learning is a 4-step process: reading, listening, interaction with others, and teaching the material to others. He encourages his students to ask critical questions to understand the issues, and to learn where to find answers to create solutions through a vast network of resources.

Additional Scholarly Interests

Adams dissertation topic was "The Protracted Dispute over the Edwards Aquifer: Revisiting and Reframing Multiparty Stakeholder Conflicts in Management, Regulations, Allocation and Property Rights". His research and consulting interests include: low impact development, storm water runoff and sediment mitigation, change management, stakeholder conflict management, etc.

Published Work

Education

PhD course work, Illinois Institute of Technology 
MSEE, University of Illinois: Urbana
BSEE, University of Illinois: Urbana

Biography

Andrew Affrunti is an instructor of mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology in the partnership program between the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado Mesa University. He teaches Electrical Engineering Fundamentals, Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics. He also supports electronic and electrical components of freshman, junior and senior projects.

Curriculum Vitae

Connect with Affrunti on LinkedIn

William Aikens is the oboe instructor and assistant department head of the music program at Colorado Mesa University. He is the principal oboist of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO) and has served on the symphony’s board since 2018. In 2022, he helped found the Grand Junction Symphony Academy, which provides affordable lessons to string and double reed students. He has performed and presented at both international and regional conferences, most recently at the International Double Reed Society conference (Flagstaff, 2024 and Bangkok, 2023) and the Colorado Music Educators Association conference (2023). Dr. Aikens holds degrees from Arizona State University, the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and Duquesne University. He has performed with orchestra across the country, including the Phoenix Symphony, the Tucson Symphony, and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. His teachers include Martin Schuring, Dr. Mark Ostoich, Scott Bell, Jim Gorton, Dwight Parry, Christopher Philpotts and Lon Bussell.

Lisa Aikin-Allen teaches American Sign Language (ASL) at Colorado Mesa University. With over 10 years of experience teaching ASL at four different colleges, Aikin-Allen is dedicated to helping students master the basics of ASL, enabling them to communicate effectively in the language. She also educates students about Deaf Culture and strives to demonstrate that ASL is a fun and engaging language to learn. In her free time, Aikin-Allen enjoys skiing, reading books, watching true story movies, playing games and riding her motorcycle.

Brent W. Alumbaugh began his undergraduate career at Iowa State University and eventually received his Bachelor of Arts in exercise science from Colorado Mesa University, then went on to earn his Master of Science in exercise physiology from the University of New Mexico. Alumbaugh has multiple roles at CMU, serving as Clinical Coordinator and Physiologist for the Monfort Family Human Performance Lab and an instructor of kinesiology.

In the the Monfort Family Human Performance Lab, Alumbaugh primarily works with students - teaching them how to calibrate the equipment and interpret the information in a practical and useful way. He devotes different parts of the year to student-athletes in various sports and helps them to quantify different performance variables.

Another of Alumbaugh's primary responsibilities is encouraging community members and organizations to utilize these facilities. He works with individuals of all ages and physical capabilities, taking them through testing based on their specific needs and goals. Fire, police and community departments utilize the Human Performance Lab for health and wellness programs that encourage biannual testing and include proactive interventions.

Alumbaugh teaches Health and Wellness, Applications of Physical Fitness, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Lab, Sports Nutrition and Advanced First Aid. He is passionate about his job and believes that the key to a happy and successful life is to approach daily activities in a health manner. He enjoys a number of outdoor activities and believes that by practicing what he preaches, students are more willing to listen and will learn in a more effective manner.

Brent Alumbaugh's curriculum vitae

Mohammed Alyami, PhD, earned his doctorate in Information Technology from Towson University in 2017, along with two master's degrees in Information Systems and Technology from Claremont Graduate University in 2014 and Business Administration (MBA) from California Lutheran University in 2009.

Alyami's research explores how technology can improve healthcare through personal health record systems and interactive eLearning systems. He also focuses on decision support systems and creating customized learning materials to enhance the educational experience. Additionally, he explores the potential of big data for informed decision-making.

With his teaching, research, and industry experience, he aims to prepare students for successful careers in information technology while making meaningful contributions to the academic community. Alyami fosters an interactive and inclusive learning environment, encouraging students to think critically, collaborate, and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Kristen Amman, PhD, primarily teaches mathematics courses offered in the first two years (college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus) as well as mathematics content courses for future teachers.

In her courses, Amman likes to emphasize communication of mathematical ideas through group discussions, instruction on how to read and write high quality mathematical arguments and student-led presentations. Her research interests lie in the experience of relearning college mathematics i.e. any time someone is learning about math that they already tried to learn about before in a previous course. In her work, Amman asks: what does it mean to learn in a course where the content is not new? How can college instructors best support students in classes where relearning is the predominant type of learning (especially in early transition courses like arithmetic, algebra and pre-calculus)?

In her free time, Amman loves reading, running, weight lifting and cooking/baking.

Education

PhD, The Pennsylvania State University

MA, Brigham Young University

BA, Brigham Young University

AA, Ricks College

Biography

Tyler K. Anderson, PhD, received an associate degree in Spanish from Ricks College and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Brigham Young University before going on to earn his Master of Arts and PhD in Spanish Linguistics, from BYU and The Pennsylvania State University respectively. Anderson teaches courses like Introduction to Spanish Sociolinguistics, Linguistic Diversity and Multicultural Literacies, Using Technology, Culture and Literature in the Foreign Language Classroom, Spanish Teaching Methodologies, Spanish Phonetics and Phonology, Advanced Spanish Conversation, Advanced Spanish Composition and Intermediate and Basic Spanish.

Regardless of which course he is teaching, Anderson's goal is to engage his students in the teaching and learning process. He seldom gives lectures, but rather hold classes where students are very active and everyone participates - an environment in which real learning takes place. Anderson's research interests include bilingualism, language attitudes, Spanish in the United States, bilingual language outcomes, second language pronunciation and technology in the classroom.

Anderson describes himself as 'that professor'-the one with his bike in his office as a great form of transportation as well as a good stress reliever. In his free time, Anderson loves to run and spend time with his family.

Tyler Anderson's curriculum vitae

Selected Publications

Anderson, Tyler K. & Benjamin J. Souza (2012). English-Spanish bilinguals' attitudes toward L2 pronunciation: Do they identify with native Spanish speakers? In John Levis and Kimberly LeVelle (Eds.), Proceedings of the 3rd annual Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching conference (pp. 27-38). Ames, Iowa TESL/Applied Linguistics, Iowa State University.

Anderson, Tyler (2010). Attitudes toward Spanish language variation among Latinas living in western Colorado. In Susana Rivera-Mills and Daniel Villa (Eds.), Spanish of the Southwest A Language in Transition (pp. 291-317). Madrid Editorial Iberoamericana/Vervuert.

Anderson, Tyler & Almeida Jacqueline Toribio (2007). Attitudes towards lexical borrowing and intra-sentential code-switching among Spanish-English bilinguals, Spanish in Context, 4, 2, 217-240.

Scott Andrews, PhD, teaches classes including Essential Speech, Speechmaking, Speechwriting, Rhetorical Theory, Persuasion, Argumentation, Interpersonal Communication, Communication & Conflict, Leadership & Communication, Keynote Speaking and Computer Mediated Communication.

For Andrews, teaching and learning are: humanistic, constructivist, about possibility, interdisciplinary, pragmatic, active, cooperative, thought-provoking, critical, experiential, shared, multimodal, community-building, habitual and concentrated forms of living that begin in wonder and end in application.

Andrews' research lies at the interdisciplinary crossroads of rhetoric and philosophy, poetry and democracy. His work has appeared in Speaker & Gavel and in Global Academe and in several top paper panels at national and regional Conferences. Past topics investigated include The New York Times, Rev. Samuel Davies, Bill Clinton, John Dewey, William James, Husserl, Isocrates, Plotinus, Alan Lomax via Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson and public knowledge in general. His studies are specimens of rhetoric in the public sphere, rhetoric in democracy, and rhetoric as constitutive, creative and ontological.

His dissertation, "Pluribus Et Unum", distilled and unfolded Walt Whitman's "Philosophy of Democracy" from Whitman's own public rhetoric. Recent pieces explore Jacques Ranciere's "Sensory/Dramatistic" rhetoric for activists and Claude Lefort's "Political/Social" rhetoric for theorists.

Curriculum Vitae

Sherine Antoun, PhD, views himself primarily as a facilitator of learning, rather than as an expert who simply delivers information to students. He is always conscious of his students’ different learning styles, rates of learning, what they have already learned and what they will need to learn in the future. Feedback from his students is vital to the process of growth he has undergone since he began teaching. Antoun said that he has gained feedback and improved the pacing of lectures and effective ways to help his students learn in small group discussions.

Antoun has been invited to share his knowledge as a guest lecture and speaker at the following events:

• 2018 Mining CTFM Echo Signal Data for Navigation
• IEEE Intelligent Systems Conference (IntelliSys)
• 2015 Perception for Robotics in Hostile Environments
• The Industry Workshop Talk at the 6th Annual Conference on Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures, Lyon France
• 2015 Adapting perception techniques of vision-impaired humans for Robotic Autonomous Navigation
• Research graduate seminars 2015 UIS
• 2013 Cryptography Complexity and Graphs
• 2012 Echolocation from nature to mobile robots
• Informatics colloquium June 2012 UOW
• 2004 - 2005 Innovations in Document Storage and Retrieval
• Informatics colloquium 2004 and guest lecture 2005 UOW  

Sherine Antoun's Curriculum Vitae 

Selected Published Work 

Antoun S.M. (2019) Mining CTFM Echo Signal Data for Navigation. In: Arai K., Kapoor S., Bhatia R. (eds) Intelligent Systems and Applications. IntelliSys 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 869. Springer, Cham

S. Antoun and P. McKerrow, Issues in wall tracking with a CTFM ultrasonic sensor, IEEE Sensors, vol. 13, pp. 46714681, December 2013.

Antoun, S, Biologically inspired perception for robotics in hostile environments..., Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures (2015).

S. Antoun and P. McKerrow, Mimicking a blind person navigating a corridor using a k-sonar with a mobile robot, in Proceeding PCAR 10 Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Practical Cognitive Agents and Robots, AMAS Toronto, 2010.

P. McKerrow, S. Antoun, and P. Worth, A software architecture for mobile
robot navigation, in Proceedings Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems
TAROS (S. Ramamoorthy and G. M. Hayes, eds.), no. ISBN 9‘a8 9‘a6849 a“a 9, (Edinburgh), pp. 185192, University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, September 2008.

S. Antoun and P. McKerrow, Perceiving a corridor with ctfm ultrasonic sensing, in Proceedings Australasian Conference on Robotics and Automation (M. Dunbabin and M. Srinivasan, eds.), vol. CD-ROM, (Brisbane), Australian Robotics and Automation Association, Australian Robotics and Automation Association, December 2007.

P. McKerrow and S. Antoun, Research into navigation with CTFM ultrasonic sensors, in Proceedings of 63rd Annual meeting Institute Of Navigation (ION), vol. 63, (Cambridge, MA), pp. 674680, Institute Of Navigation, Institute Of Navigation, April 2007.

S. Antoun and P. McKerrow, Wall following with a single ultrasonic sensor, in Intelligent Robotics and Applications (H. Liu, H. Ding, Z. Xiong, and X. Zhu, eds.), vol. 6425 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 130141, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2010.

Education

MA, McNeese State University
BA, McNeese State University

Biography

Brigette Archuleta has taught at Colorado Mesa University since 2010. She teaches classes in general psychology and human growth and development. In addition, she teaches a class on success skills in higher education; which assists new students with their transition to college.

Archuleta completed a master's degree in counseling and bachelor's degree in elementary education. Her experience in education is extensive. Currently, she is the In-School Day Program Coordinator for the Montrose County School District. Previously, she taught grades three through eight for sixteen years in Louisiana, Colorado, California and Texas. She has also been a middle school counselor for ten years in Colorado.

Combining her experience in counseling and education she assist students with succeeding in college, and understanding and applying concepts learned in class to everyday life. 

Education

PhD, University of Colorado

MS, University of Colorado

BS, Brown University

Biography

Andres Aslan, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science from Brown University and went on to earn his Master of Science and PhD from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Aslan is a professor of geology at Colorado Mesa University, where he teaches courses in Principles of Geology, Natural Hazards and Environmental Geology, Introduction to Field Studies and Applications of Geomorphology.

As a geomorphologist, Aslan studies the processes and histories of how landscapes evolved. He is especially interested in the histories of large rivers including the Colorado, Gunnison, Green, Yampa, Mississippi and Orinoco rivers.

Aslan has taught at CMU for 14 years and enjoys working with students on research projects. Past students have conducted studies of Grand Mesa, Colorado River terraces, the Browns Park Formation in northwestern Colorado and Oligocene River in southwestern Wyoming. Someday, Aslan hopes to have a Master of Science in Geology program at CMU.

Aslan is currently a principal investigator on a three-year National Science Foundation research grant to study the long-term evolution of the upper Colorado River system. He typically has three students with him on the project during the school year and over the summer. He and some of these students have gone to the University of Arizona to use the LASERCHRON lab to analyze detrital zircons form sediment samples from southwestern Wyoming and northwestern Colorado. Aslan is currently working on a publication of this research with geology student Marisa Boraas.

Selected Publications:

Aslan, A. Karlstrom, K.E., Kirby, E., Heizler, M.T., Granger, D.E., Feathers, J.K., Hanson, P.R., Mahan, S.A. 2019. Resolving time-space histories of Late Cenozoic bedrock incision along the Upper Colorado River, USA:  Geomorphology, v. 347, p. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.106855

Aslan, A. Boraas-Connors, M., Sprinkel, D., Becker, T.P., Lynds, R., Karlstrom, K.E., and Heizler, M. 2018. Cenozoic collapse of the eastern Uinta Mountains and drainage evolution of the Uinta Mountains region:  Geosphere, v. 14, no. 1, p. 115-140.

Jarrin, D., Aslan, A., Mahan, S., and Hanson, P.R. 2017. New age constraints on Late Pleistocene glacial outwash deposits near Ridgway, Colorado, northern San Juan Mountains.  In Karlstrom, K.E., Gonzales, D.A., Zimmerer, M.J., Heizler, M., and Ulmer-Scholle, D.S., eds., The Geology of the Ouray-Silverton Area, New Mexico Geological Society 68^th Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, p. 179-186.

Potter-McIntyre, S., Boraas, M., DePriest, K., and Aslan, A. 2016, Middle Jurassic landscape evolution of southwest Laurentia using detrital zircon geochronology. Lithosphere. doi:10.1130/L467.1

Kimbrough, D.L., Grove, M., Gehrels, G.E., Dorsey, R.J., Howard, K.A., Lovera, O., Aslan, A., House, P.K., and Pearthree, P.A. 2015. Detrital zircon U-Pb provenance of the Colorado River: A 5 m.y. record of incision into cover strata overlying the Colorado Plateau and adjacent regions. Geosphere, v. 11, p. 1719-1748.

Aslan, A., Hood, W., Karlstrom, K.E., Kirby, E., Granger, D., Kelley, S., Crow, R., Donahue, M.S., Polyak, V., and Asmerom, Y. 2014. Abandonment of Unaweep Canyon (1.4 to 0.8 Ma), western Colorado: effects of stream capture on anomalously rapid Pleistocene river incision. Geosphere, v. 10, no. 3, p. 428-446.

Hood., W., Aslan, A., and Betton, C. 2014. Aftermath of a stream capture: Cactus Park lake spillover and the origin of East Creek, Uncompahgre Plateau, western Colorado. Geosphere, v. 10, no. 3, p. 447-461.

Rosenberg, R., Kirby, E., Aslan, A., Karlstrom, K.E., Heizler, M., and Ouimet, W. 2014. Late Miocene erosion and evolution of topography along the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. Geosphere, v. 10, no. 4, p. 641-663.

Lazear, G., Karlstrom, K.E., Aslan, A., and Kelley, S. 2013. Denudation and flexural isostatic response of the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains region since 10 Ma, Geosphere, v. 9, no. 4, p. 792-814. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/GES00836.1

Donahue, M.S., Karlstrom, K.E., Aslan, A., Darling, A., Granger, D., Wan, E., Dickinson, R., and Kirby, E. 2013. Incision history of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado, over the past ~1 Ma inferred from dating of fluvial gravel deposits. Geosphere, v. 9, no. 4, p. 815-826. http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/GES00847.1

Karlstrom, K.E., Beard, L.S., House, K., Young, R.A., Aslan, A., Billingsley, G., and Pederson, J. 2012. Introduction: CRevolution 2: Origin and Evolution of the Colorado River System II. Geosphere, v. 8, no. 6, p. 1-7.

Darling, A.L., Karlstrom, K.E., Granger, D.E., Aslan, A., Kirby, E., Ouimet, W.B., Lazear, G.D., Coblentz, D., and Cole, R.D. 2012. New incision rates along the Colorado River system based on cosmogenic burial dating of terraces: Implications for regional controls on Quaternary incision. Geosphere, v. 8, no. 5, p. 1020-1041.

Karlstrom, K.E., Coblentz, D., Dueker, K Ouimet, W., Kirby, E., Van Wijk, J., Schmandt, B., Kelley, S., Lazear, G., Crossey, L.J., Crow, R., Aslan, A., Darling, A., Aster, R., MacCarthy, J., Hansen, J., Stachnik, J., and the CREST working group. 2012. Mantle-driven dynamic uplift of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau and its surface response: toward a unified hypothesis. Lithosphere, v. 4, p. 3-22.

Aslan, A., Karlstrom, K.E., and Darling, A. 2011. Origin of the Ancestral Colorado and Gunnison Rivers and Post-10 Ma River Incision Rates in Western Colorado. In Beard, L.S., Karlstrom, K.E., Young, R.A., and Billingsley, G.H., eds., 2011, CRevolution 2 - Origin and evolution of the Colorado River system, workshop abstracts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1210, 300 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1210/.

Sandoval, M. M. Karlstrom, K.E., Darling, A., Aslan, A., Granger, D., Wan, E., and Noe, D., and Dickinson, R. 2011. Quaternary Incision History of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado. In Beard, L.S., Karlstrom, K.E., Young, R.A., and Billingsley, G.H., eds., 2011, CRevolution 2 - Origin and evolution of the Colorado River system, workshop abstracts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1210, 300 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1210/.

Darling, A., Karlstrom, K.E., Aslan, A., and Granger, D. 2011. Differential incision rates in the upper Colorado River system: implications for knickpoint transience. In Beard, L.S., Karlstrom, K.E., Young, R.A., and Billingsley, G.H., eds., 2011, CRevolution 2-Origin and evolution of the Colorado River system, workshop abstracts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1210, 300 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1210/.

Karlstrom, K., Coblentz, D., Ouimet, W., Kirby, E., Van Wijk, J., Schmandt, B., Crossey, L., Crow, R., Kelley, S., Aslan, A., Darling, A., Dueker, K., Aster, R., MacCarthy J., Lazear, G., and the CREST working group. 2011. Evidence from the Colorado River system for surface uplift of the Colorado Rockies and western Colorado Plateau in the last 10 Ma driven by mantle flow and buoyancy. In Beard, L.S., Karlstrom, K.E., Young, R.A., and Billingsley, G.H., eds., 2011, CRevolution 2 - Origin and evolution of the Colorado River system, workshop abstracts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1210, 300 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1210/.

Aslan, A., Karlstrom, K.E., Crossey, L.J., Kelley, S., Cole, R., Lazear, G., and Darling, A. 2010. Late Cenozoic evolution of the Colorado Rockies: Evidence for Neogene uplift and drainage integration, in Morgan, L.A., and Quane, S.L., eds., Through the Generations: Geologic and Anthropogenic Field Excursions in the Rocky Mountains from Modern to Ancient: Geological Society of America Field Guide 18, p. 21-54.

Grace Asquith, DMA, is serving Colorado Mesa University as Pianist for Tenor/Bass Choir, Soprano/Alto Choir and the Vocal Arts Ensemble. Co-founder and Artistic Director of Chamber Ensemble con Grazia, she has extensive chamber music and vocal accompanying experience.

Although recently retired from the College of Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music (2006 - 2023) for whom she evaluated all levels of piano and instrumental performances in Canada and the US, she continues to adjudicate piano events, and remains active in the Colorado State Music Teachers Association (MTNA).

College positions include sabbatical replacement for piano faculty and piano literature at the University of Northern Colorado, Piano and Theory at Colorado Christian University, Class Piano and Theory at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and Piano, Counterpoint and Theory at Mesa State College.

Wade Aubin teaches courses in Physical Geology, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Volcanology, and Geology of National Parks (coming soon). He incorporates student-centered activities and projects into his courses, and engages students with hands-on field experiences that complement and round out theoretical "classroom" knowledge.

Aubin's primary research interests are the driving mechanisms for volcanic eruptions, and igneous petrogenesis in long-lived volcanic provinces. His research has focused on the genesis of magmas, the formation of obsidian in volcanic conduits, the thermal evolution of pyroclastic density currents, and heterogenous bubble nucleation in silicic melts.

Aubin is actively recruiting students who are interested in conducting research projects with him in Volcanology and/or Igneous Petrology.

Wade Aubin's Curriculum Vitae 

Connect with Dr. Aubin on LinkedIn

View Dr. Aubin's Research on Google Scholar and Research Gate 

Education

PhD, Stanford University

BS, University of Texas

Biography

James Ayers, PhD, is an associate professor of chemistry. He teaches General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Communicating in the World of Chemistry and Structured Research. His research interests include development of novel spectroscopic methods and atmospheric/environmental chemistry. Ayers teaches courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, and environmental chemistry. He is interested in connecting basic chemical concepts to things students observe outside the classroom. Research interests include atmospheric chemistry and relationships between processes that occur in the atmosphere to other parts of the environment.

Seif Azghandi, PhD, is an assistant professor with more than 15 years of experience in the engineering and information technology industry with the last 10 years spent in leadership roles. His interests include, but are not limited to, remote sensing, deep learning, predictive analytics, temporal knowledge graph and model-based testing/regression testing.

Azghandi’s approach to teaching a class is to calibrate the students; he engages students by giving them a non-grading quiz to understand the class as a whole. He then calibrates his teaching to match the caliber of the class. As the time goes by, Azghandi indirectly and directly solicits feedback from the students as to what has worked and what has not. He then refines and recalibrates his teaching based on the feedback. He is not afraid to change the pre-designed syllabus so students may continue learning. It is the students that have to learn and his goal is that his instructions are at the right level.

Currently, Azghandi has seven published and presented articles in reputable conferences and scientific venues. He believes teaching and research are "flip sides of the same coin" and combined, they have synergy. That is to say, a research work could lead to a student-led project. On the flip side, teaching could expose certain research ideas that lead to publications.

Seif Azghandi Curriculum Vitae

Christiane Baigent joined CMU faculty in Fall 2024 as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Director Designate of the Forensic Investigation Research Station. Her academic background is in Biological Anthropology with an emphasis in Forensic Anthropology. Her research focus is human decomposition and skeletal taphonomy in the high-altitude Rocky Mountain region and high-elevation desert regions of Colorado. Her research and teaching interests extend more broadly into skeletal trauma and pathology, patterns of secular change in the skeleton, and cultural constructions of “race” and sex/gender in anthropological perspective. She feels that teaching should be active and collaborative and enjoys working with students both in the classroom, and through research and internship. Her course offerings include ANTH 231/231 L Survey of Biological Anthropology, ANTH 270/270 L Death and Forensic Science, ANTH 331 Forensic Anthropology, ANTH 478 Professional Issues in Forensic Science, and ANTH 499 Forensic Investigation Research Station Internship.

In addition to her teaching background, she has served as a medicolegal death investigator and is certified by the Colorado Coroner’s Association. She is a fellow of the Anthropology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and provides forensic anthropology consult services to Colorado coroners and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

When she is not teaching she can be found causing trouble with one of her many animals.

Diana Bailey, PhD, joined the Department of Health Sciences in 2010. She is currently the program coordinator of the BSN program and teaches Leadership and Management to senior level nursing students. She is specifically interested in leadership theory and helping students develop the leadership skills necessary to practice as a professional nurse.
Bailey is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International and serves as president of the local Nu Kappa Chapter. She is an active member of the Western Colorado Nightingale Committee and the Mesa County Safety Council.

When Bailey is not teaching, she can be found in her garden, on the golf course or exploring slot canyons in western Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

Abdulah Bajaba, PhD, is an assistant professor of business management at the Davis School of Business with an emphasis on organizational behavior and leadership. Before joining CMU, Bajaba taught courses in management of organizations, student first-year experience, international management and business administration capstone. He also participated as a coach in a workplace training, development and coaching course, which is a service-learning course in which students were coached to create a training plan for a local business.

Bajaba's passion involves releasing the hidden potential of individuals in the workplace by exploring and investigating the field of management and psychology through academic research, teaching and coaching. He is the former president of the Doctor of Business Administration Association at Louisiana Tech University and worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the field of psychology during his time at Boston University.

Bajaba’s research interests include the bright and dark side of individual differences in the workplace (e.g., adaptive personality, self-efficacy, motivation) and their influence on employee well-being and the resulting coping behaviors; moreover, he is interested in how different leadership styles might affect such relationships. Bajaba has been awarded the Outstanding Research Award in 2021 and 2019 from Louisiana Tech University as well as the Certificate of Achievement for Best Student Paper Nominee in 2020 from the Midwest Academy of Management Conference. His work has been published in various journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of Psychology and Current Psychology and presented at conferences such as the Academy of Management and Southern Management Association.

Andrew Bajorek is the associate director of bands at Colorado Mesa University, where he serves as a director of the Maverick Stampede and Maverick Sound. Additionally, Bajorek instructs courses and mentors students in music teacher education related subjects and activities. Prior to his appointment at Colorado Mesa University, Bajorek earned his doctoral candidacy at the University of Florida and also taught elementary and secondary music in schools in Florida and Pennsylvania.

Bajorek's areas of inquiry include the perceptions of stakeholders of music education as they relate to music education standards, commonalities of strategies employed by master educators, curricular alignment and the best practices of media in the administration of music programs.

Aside from his degrees, Bajorek has earned certifications as a practitioner from the Organization for American Kodály Educators, Feierabend Association for Music Education, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. He has previously served as a member of the Florida Music Supervisors Association, a team leader of the Florida Music Education Association Emerging Leaders program, as well as a member of the Florida Department of Education K-12 Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) Validation Committee.

Selected Published and Creative Work

Refereed Research Presentations and Paper Presentations

National

Bajorek, A. (2018). Matthew effects in music education. National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Pre-
Conference on Philosophy: Atlanta, GA.

Bajorek A. & Sheridan, M. (2018). An exploration of partnerships for teaching students with special needs. Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE) Symposium: Minneapolis, MN.

State/Regional

Bajorek, A., Hernandez, C. Johnson, C., MacRostie, K., Palmer, M., Weatherspoon, J…Wright, D. (2019). Pecha
Kucha: A kaleidoscope of classroom practices and tips. Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA)

Professional Development-Clinic Conference: Tampa, FL.
Bajorek, A. (2014). Music in our schools month: Performance opportunities for all students.

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) State In-Service Conference: Hershey, PA

Bajorek, A. (2013). There’s an app for that. Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) State In-Service
Conference: San Antonio, TX

Nonjuried Research Presentations and Paper Presentations

State/Regional

Bajorek, A. & Viking, T. (2018). Getting the job: On interviews and interviewing. Florida Southern College
Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) Lecture Series: Lakeland, FL

Bajorek, A., Fahmie, D., Lawson, B., Southhall, J. (2018). Get connected: Build capacity. Florida Music Educators
Association (FMEA) Emerging Leaders Drive-In Conference: Orlando, FL.

Bajorek, A. (2018). The first principles of music education. School District of Osceola County Summer Professional
Development Workshop: Kissimmee, FL

Bajorek, A. (2017). From band director to solfa savant: Falling in love with elementary music. University of Florida
Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME) Lecture Series: Gainesville, FL.

Bajorek, A. (2016). Improvisation in the classroom and panel discussion University of Florida Collegiate National
Association for Music Education (CNAfME) Lecture Series: Gainesville, FL.

Social Media Channels

CMU Bands Facebook

CMU Bands Instagram

CMU Bands Twitter

CMU Bands Tik Tok

Gregory Baker, PhD, is a lifelong educator focused on utilizing state-of-the-art quantitative imagery to support hypothesis testing of near-surface Earth science problems. His "toolbox" includes active-source seismic reflection/first-arrival tomography, ground-penetrating radar, UAV/sUAS ("drone") imagery and structure from motion(SfM), EM, electrical resistivity, magnetics.

His driving creed is "learning by doing" and courses, as well as student research projects, incorporate planning, acquisition, data processing, data analysis and interpretation of real-world problems.

Learn more about Baker by visiting the following: Researchgate, Vimeo, Sketchfab, Twitter, Facebook and Geoavatar.

For scientific publications and work, please visit either: Researchgate or Scholar.google

Gregory Baker, PhD, Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, Business Administration and Management: Universidad Pablo de Olavide Seville Spain
MRes, Business Administration and Management concentration on Human Resources: Universidad Pablo de Olavide Seville Spain
MBA, concentration on International Business: Lynn University
Diploma International Business and Marketing: Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
Licentiate (Bachelor+1) Business Administration concentration on Management: Universidad Fermín Toro

Biography

Before joining Colorado Mesa University, Carlos Baldo, PhD, taught at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Aquinas College in Michigan, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Universidad Fermín Toro and Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado (Venezuela). Baldo taught graduate and undergraduate business courses in management, human resources, business ethics, marketing management and international management. His dissertation is titled “The Relation Client-Headhunter-Candidate from the Agency Theory Perspective (2015)." On his thesis, he argues using context review and quantitative research that agency theory presents better assumptions to understand this trilateral relationship.

Baldo's research interest focuses on understanding the relations between executive search firms, clients and candidates under agency theory. Other research fields for him includes: employers and personal branding, organizational identity, international proactiveness and Catholic higher education among others. His research has been presented in the U.S., Latin America and Europe.

Baldo is a lifetime member at PROSPANICA formerly known as National Society of Hispanic’s MBAs (NSHMBA). He was the South Florida Chapter President from 2008 until 2009. He is member at the Academy of Management, Society of Human Resources Management, the Iberoamerican Academy of Management and the Academy of International Business.

Before starting his academic career, he worked for more than twelve years in accounting and finance positions in sectors of banking, construction, wholesale, entertainment, franchises and medical devices including companies like Philips. From 2010 until 2014, he shared his research and teaching assignments with headhunting activity, serving companies like: Modelez-Kraft Foods, United Distillers, Jarden, Zurich Insurance, AmBev (Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary) among other international and national firms in Venezuela.

Curriculum Vitae

Connect with Carlos Baldo's on LinkedIn

Teaching Philosophy

“Never underestimate your students.” 

“Act as if.” from the Boiler Room (2000 movie)

“Teaching involves adapting knowledge transfer to student's characteristics and groups. Make the students understand they are part of a dynamic business world. Consider all possible stakeholders when approaching a situation or problem. Being able to identify answers to their questions with resources available, and making students execute research as a form to validate and question the mainstream.”

Selected Published Work

Papers:

- Baldo, C., Evert, A., Cheng McCain S., Trawick, S., (2021) A study of Naming Taxonomies in Executive Search Firms industry: A Replication and Extension Study. EMPGENS Journal of Empirical Generalisations in Marketing Science. Vol.1, No. 1: 1-13. https://www.empgens.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/EMPGENS-Manuscript-Baldo-et-al-FORMATTED.pdf

- Baldo, C., Vail, R., Seidel, Julie (2021). Huawei in Venezuela: A Review of 2006-2019. Contrasting documental findings with interviews. Revista de Gestão (REGE), Special issue: Technological Transition and China-Latin America Relations. Vol. 28 No. 4: 358-375. https://doi.org/10.1108/REGE-12-2020-0142

- Baldo, C., Wareham, J., Vail, R. (2021). Accredititis: More than 20 years of overzealous hiring practices for business faculty based on AACSB accreditation. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. Vol. 20 No. 14: 81-94. https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v20i14.3852

- Baldo, C., Snyder, J., and Holguin, A. (2020). Revisiting the Online vs. Face to Face teaching evaluations. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT). Vol. 16, No. 2: 144-157. https://search.proquest.com/docview/2442133766

Lira, M.V.; Pratt, W.; Baldo C. (2019). Efectos de los cambios de marcas o nombres: Estudio empírico sobre el sector de seguros en Venezuela [Brands or names changes effects: An empirical study on the Venezuelan insurance sector]. Revista Visión Gerencial E-ISSN 2477-9547. July/December 2019 Año 18 No. 2 pag. 219-231. http://erevistas.saber.ula.ve/index.php/visiongerencial/article/view/15558/21921926656

Baldo, C., Olivas-Luján, M., Valle-Cabrera, R., (2019). Executive recruitment triads from an Agency Theory perspective. Administrative Issues Journal, Summer 2019 Vol. 9, No. 1: 01-18.

Conklin, M.; Baldo, C. (2019). Why employers who pay more are more satisfied. Ivey Business Journal. Issue May-June 2019.

Nadelson, L.; Baldo, C.; Banman, N.; Bonan-Hamada, E.; Calland, R.; Grieco, C.; Noel, C.; Owens, S.; Santos, K.; Sharp, E., (2019). Greater Expectations: Faculty Perceptions and Knowledge of the Teacher-Scholar Model. International Research in Education. Volume 7, No 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ire.v7i1.13921

Hermans, M., Newburry, W., Alvarado-Vargas, M. J., Baldo, C.; Olivas-Lujan, M. R., Borda, A., Duran-Zurita, E.D.; Geleilate, J.M.G.; Guerra, M.; Lasio Morello, M.V.; Madero, S.M.; and Zwerg-Villegas, A.M. (2017). Attitudes towards Women's Career Advancement in Latin America: The Moderating Impact of Perceived Company International Proactiveness. Journal of International Business Studies. Volume 48, 90-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-016-0039-7

Baldo, C., (2014). El perfil oculto del candidato ideal. Sobreponiéndose a la información asimétrica en búsquedas ejecutivas usando cazatalentos. [The ideal candidate's hidden profile. Overcoming asymmetric information on executive searches using headhunters]. Gestión y Gerencia, Volume 8 Number 2 May-August 2014. http://www.ucla.edu.ve/DAC/investigacion/gyg/GyG%202014/Agosto%202014/1-%20CarlosBaldo.pdf

Book Chapters:

Baldo, C.; Matteo, C.A.; Hull, K.; (2019). Gender in Venezuelan C-Level Positions: Current balance in gender diversity for 21st Century Socialism. In Georgiadou, Gonzalez-Perez, Olivas-Lujan (Ed.), Diversity in Diversity Management. Emerald Publishing.

Baldo, C., Aristeguieta-Trillos S., Hull, K. (2019). Multiple identity organizations and performance: A review of Catholic Institutions of Higher Education in the US and their business departments in Smith, B. (Ed.), Mission-Driven Approaches in Modern Business Education. IGI Global. 

Reports:
Marsden, J., Kois, H., Domingo, M., Walters, W., Cantrell, A., Brown, J., Baldo, C. & Baker, C. (2018). An Examination of Skills Requirements in Businesses in Mesa County.

Valeria Balogh, PhD, teaches General Psychology, Social Psychology, and Human Growth and Development. 

She engages her students in the classroom through free and structured discussions, classroom activities, projects, quizzes and exams. Balogh encourages practical application of course concepts, relating them to the student's individual lives to create salience and retention of the material.

Her interests lie in the realm of behavior change through awareness over a variety of life experiences, from preconception health, to integrative health behaviors for improved well-being, focusing on motivation and personal salience. She enjoys practical research and encourages her students to think deeply about their own motivations and goals.

Balogh is a certified integrative health coach and integrative yoga therapist and has worked in the areas of lifestyle change for nearly 10 years.

Valeria Balogh Curriculum Vitae

Nick Bardo, PhD, is an associate professor of teacher education in Colorado Mesa University's Center for Teacher Education. Outside of teaching social studies methods courses, he currently serves as the Academic Department Head.

His courses model experiential and collaborative learning processes where students interact with content and concepts through multiple means. Bardo taught abroad as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Kiribati, Guatemala, and China and domestically in New Hampshire, Hawaii, Ohio and Florida. His research interests include cultural simulations in social studies education, teaching global perspectives in teacher education, and narrative inquiry.

Published Work 

Bardo, N. (2019). Satisfying surprises: A conceptual model for cultural self-awareness in simulations. In J. Myers (Ed). Research on Teaching Global Issues. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Bardo, N. (2018). Developing global perspectives in the social studies: Three cross-cultural simulations. The Oregon Journal of the Social Studies, 6(1), 43-54.

Bardo, N., & Cruz, B. (2017). Experiencing a different field: Cultural capital and the classroom. In S.G.
Grant, J. Lee, and K. Swan (Eds). Teaching Social Studies: A Methods Book for Methods Teachers (pp. 215-222). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Andrea Barnard received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education with a minor in Physics Education from Brigham Young University-Idaho and went on to earn a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Arlington. Barnard teaches several general education mathematics courses, including College Algebra and College Math.

"I create a student-centered classroom where students are engaged and feel comfortable asking me and other students questions," Barnard said. "Students are given time to work through example problems during class to gauge and solidify their understanding of new material. They also present their work to other students to increase their learning and the learning of their classmates."

"Part of teaching is continuing my own learning and development as an instructor. I am always interested in deepening my knowledge of Mathematics and Education as well as learning new topics within these disciplines. This learning greatly benefits me and in turn my students."

Megan Barnard instructs Essential Speech at CMU. She has been an elementary teacher for many years and has a passion for both education and communication. Studies in communication at the undergraduate and graduate levels have made her her a better educator from kindergarten to college. Barnard believes there is not an area of our lives left untouched by communication and she enjoys imparting her love of teaching by mentoring education students. Barnard hopes to build confidence in her students through positive encouraging interactions.

She has three children which keep her busy when she's not in the classroom. Barnard and her family enjoy all seasons of Colorado and love skiing, dirt biking, hiking and paddle boarding.

Ram Basnet, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Colorado Mesa University and then went on to earn his Master of Science and PhD, both in Computer Science, from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Basnet's teaching interests are computer security; information assurance; various programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and web development. Basnet designs real-world hands-on homework and assignments that are fun and engaging. His research interests are in the areas of information security, data mining and machine learning. Basnet enjoys many outdoor activities such as rafting, hiking and biking, but soccer and basketball are his two favorite sports. Basnet plays for the faculty team in CMU's intramural indoor soccer league.

Ram Basnet's curriculum vitae

Ram Basnet on Twitter

Ram Basnet on LinkedIn

Sagnik Basumallik received his doctorate in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, New York, under the supervision of Dr. Sara Eftekharnejad. Currently, Basumallik is an instructor of electrical engineering for the CMU/CU Boulder partnerships program.

Beginning Fall 2021, he is responsible for teaching control systems and power systems. His main research interests are in electrical grid cyber security, controlled islanding, remedial action schemes and convex optimization. He has served as a visiting researcher for Independent System Operator, New England and Brookhaven National Lab, New York during his graduate studies.

Sagnik Basumallik Curriculum Vitae

Cecilia Battauz, PhD, hails from Argentina, where she earned her bachelor's in teaching English as a foreign language. After several years working as a teaching assistant and co-director of the Spanish House at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she decided to pursue graduate studies. She earned an master's in Spanish & TESOL from West Virginia University and doctorate in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Maryland.

The courses she teaches encompass history and culture as well as literature from Spain and Latin America. In these courses, she offers a comprehensive understanding of the topics studied and connects them to the present. Her goal is to guide students in the process of learning and to engage them in the analysis, reflection and interpretation of cultural materials from the Hispanic world, such as short stories, novels, films, comics and songs. Through the careful selection of these materials, she intends to expose students to a variety of cultural manifestations and, at the same time, acknowledge the diversity and richness of the Spanish-speaking countries.

Battauz also teaches language courses that range from elementary to higher levels, including advanced oral production and composition. She encourages her students to put their linguistic knowledge and abilities into practice in real life, focusing mainly on communication and highlighting the importance of mastering a second language in our world today. In her classes, she favors students' participation and collaborative work.

As a scholar, she is interested in popular culture from Latin America, particularly from the South Cone. Her current research focuses on the image of the “gaucho”, the cowboy of the Argentine Pampas plains who once freely roamed the countryside and disappeared around the end of the 19th Century, and how it was used by humorist Roberto Fontanarrosa in his comics Inodoro Pereyra, el renegau to deconstruct the national literary myth and to offer a postmodern approach to the foundational narratives of the nation.

Cecilia Battauz's Curriculum Vitae

Adam Bavier teaches outdoor leadership, risk management, facilitation and technical skills for the Outdoor Recreation Industry Studies program. These courses get students out of the classroom and into the field to gain experience thinking, planning and performing as guides, instructors and interpreters. Outdoor education philosophy and theory provide the foundation for application as student's work to grow their experience as expedition leaders and participants.

His professional interests include emotional first aid and behavioral first response, exploring identity through outdoor recreation, and systems for communicating risk tolerance in recreational parties.

Field Experience

Adam led field science expeditions with high school and college students into Yellowstone National Park to collect data for park wildlife studies for seven years. Before that he worked at the Mt. Rainier Institute and in southern California leading rock climbing trips into Joshua Tree National Park. He moved to the Grand Valley in 2020 to help the EUREKA! Science Museum establish an Environmental and Adventure Education program and spent three semesters as an adjunct faculty member before joining CMU full-time in 2022.

Education

PhD, University of Arizona

MS, University of Colorado

BS, Reed College

Biography

Susan E. Becker, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Reed College in Portland, Ore. and went on to earn her Master of Science in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona. Becker is a professor of psychology. She teaches Counseling Processes and Techniques, ASIST Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling, Psychological Testing, Career Development and Group Processes, among other courses. Her scholarly interests focus on leadership development, human change processes and suicide prevention/ program evaluation.

Becker takes an active learning approach to all of her courses, where student discourse, questions and active experiences enhance the learning process. In the counseling curriculum this includes skill-based practice as well. One objective she has for counseling majors is to be excellent communicators one-on-one, leading groups, presenting information professionally and in their written work. Course goals and projects reflect this overall learning objective.

Becker facilitates student-structured research every academic year. This includes working with teams of students on their own research, on her projects and facilitating students involved in program evaluation research with organizations in the community. Examples of off campus research sites include St. Mary's Family Practice, the Homeless Coalition of Mesa County and Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Becker has devoted her career to training undergraduates in the introductory skills of clinical and counseling psychology, leadership and team building and suicide intervention training. She was named Distinguished Faculty by CMU in 2005 for her work mentoring undergraduate research. She has served as the Rocky Mountain Region Vice President for Psi Chi - the International Honor Society in Psychology since 2011. She has been the Psi Chi chapter adviser since 2003, where she has helped her chapter become leaders in community service. Becker chairs a number of key committees as a board member of the honor society.

Margot Becktell, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from CMU in 1998, back when it was called Mesa State College. She went on to earn her doctorate in plant pathology from Cornell University in 2004.

She teaches classes in general biology, plant biology, plant physiology, plant anatomy, senior thesis and mycology.

Becktell also manages the CMU Greenhouse facility where she (and the students who work for her) curate and care for over 50 different plant species that are used for teaching and research activities.

Becktell studies late blight of petunias caused by Phytophthora infestans, the same plant pathogen that destroyed the potato crops in Ireland during the Irish potato famine. She also works in collaboration with the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) to identify fungi involved in the human decomposition process.

She enjoys any type of exploring in nature, but she especially loves wildflower season in the spring and mushroom season in the fall!

Education

EdD, Higher Education Leadership and Policy, Southern Methodist University

MAH, concentration in Literature, University of Dallas

BA, English Literature, University of the South

Biography

Kate Belknap received her Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee, her Master of Humanities from the University of Dallas and went on to earn her Doctor of Education from Southern Methodist University. Now an instructor of English at Colorado Mesa University, Belknap teaches English Composition, Western World Literature I, Introduction to Literature and Mythology.

While she enjoys teaching all of her courses, Mythology brings Belknap a particular joy, "I teach it from a perspective of enduring themes, and attempt to connect the ancient stories to our lives today," she said. "Students tell me that they not only enjoy the material presented in the class, but that it informs and broadens their world view as well. Anytime I can teach my students more than just the specific course material, I feel like I have done my job. World Mythology is a love of mine and I feel fortunate to be able to share the subject with my students."

Belknap is an active person and frequently jokes about her short attention span, so she tries to make her classes as lively as possible. She experiments with new tasks and techniques on a regular basis in a never-ending attempt to provide the best learning environment for her students. "Funny stories from my life often punctuate my lectures, and sometimes I think that I may have missed my calling as a stand-up comedian," she said. Belknap's scholarly interests include Native American myth and rock art.

When not teaching at CMU, Belknap continues to teach skiing (Telemark and Alpine) at Powderhorn Resort, where she has worked since 1996. In the summers she changes hats, quite literally, to a broad-brimmed Ranger hat to work as a River Ranger in Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur, Colo. from June -August. As a River Ranger, Belknap patrols the Green River through the Gates of Lodore and the Yampa River.

Education

DEd, United States Sports Academy
JD, University of South Carolina
MA, the Citadel Graduate College
BS, Clemson University

Biography

Richard Bell, DEd, received his Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine from Clemson University and then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina. Bell then went on to earn his Master of Arts in history from the Citadel Graduate College and finally his Doctorate of Education in sports management from the United States Sports Academy. Bell previously served as the Program Director of Sports Management and is currently an instructor of kinesiology.

Bell is the son of an Air Force career officer and during his childhood lived in eight states and two foreign countries. After his graduation from Clemson he joined the Navy and served nine years as a naval aviator on active duty and in the reserves. He attended law school after active duty in the Navy and practiced law privately and as an Assistant District Attorney for 25 years. In 1998 he began teaching as an adjunct professor in history at a local community college, and in 2000 he left the practice of law and began teaching full time.

His first full-time teaching position was as Director of the sport management program at the U.S. Sports Academy, where he also served as Interim Dean of Academic Affairs. He spent six months teaching in the graduate program at the University of Bahrain in the Kingdom of Bahrain as a visiting professor. He taught business and sport management courses at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio for two years and then spent a year at Wichita State University, before coming to Colorado Mesa University in 2005. He has taught workshops in sport management in Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Bangkok and Bahrain.

Bell promotes success for his students by working with them throughout their college experience. He works as an advisor to students and takes the sport management students on several trips each year to learn aspects of sport management first hand.

Bell has taught business and business law courses, and history courses in western civilization, U.S. and the U.S. military. He has designed a criminal justice program for another university and has taught criminal justice courses. He has also traveled and put on week-long workshops in many areas of sport management.

Richard Bell's curriculum vitae

Education

MFA, Dance: University of Colorado Boulder
BFA, Dance: State University of New York at Buffalo 

Biography 

Amanda Benzin is a rhythmically and passionately driven educator, performer and choreographer originally from Buffalo, New York. She holds an MFA in Dance from CU Boulder with concentrations in performance, choreography, somatics (Alexander Technique and Body-Mind Centering), women and gender studies, and pedagogy.  She graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance and minor in Business Administration.

Benzin was a member of the renowned Chicago-based rhythm jazz dance company Jump Rhythm Jazz Project for 6 years touring nationally and internationally and receiving an Emmy Award for her work in the multiple-Emmy-Award-winning documentary 'JRJP: Getting There.'

Her teaching experience includes ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre to children and adults of all ages in many arenas across the country for the past 19 years. She believes dance education should not only instill the knowledge, passion, love and appreciation for dance, but also inspire students’ creativity and encourage self-confidence, exploration, and skills they can use in dance and in life. She is committed to empowering individuals through the community of dance. Driven by rhythm, emotion, reflection, and connection, she seeks to foster the expression of vulnerability, strength, and growth potential within the human experience. Her current research exists at the intersection of pedagogy, ethical practices, somatic techniques and feminist theorizations of the body.

Benzin's approach to education in all classes, including theory, technique class, composition and creative practices, focuses on opening a dialogue, creating a safe and fun yet disciplined and rigorous environment, and fostering individuals. She believes in the power of honest openness, humor, reflection and the courage of vulnerability. 

She encourages students to slow down, look inward, self-reflect and verbally communicate those reflections, experiences and questions with the class community. Benzin uses ideas based in the somatic approaches of Bartenieff Fundamentals, Ideokinesis, Alexander Technique and Body-Mind Centering to assist in this process of slowing down, looking inward, self-reflecting, and maintaining active presence during and outside of class. These somatic approaches encourage presence within the classroom, serve as injury prevention tools, and allow students to know how their bodies can move within a multitude of genres and forms. Learning and growth should never stop. There is always something to be gained from any experience, whether it is in the classroom or in life. She wants to foster the ability to explore; gain insight; tap into one’s own intuition; and become a passionate, collaborative, creative and versatile artist.

Jeremy Bergen teaches computer science courses and focuses on asking students questions about topics and demonstrating technologies while keeping their interest through an upbeat teaching style. Bergen has an interest in cybersecurity, machine learning and computer vision topics along with gamification in computer science.

Bergen is an avid board game player and escape room aficionado. He is also a Star Wars/Star Trek/Sci-fi fan.

Biography

Ana Berrizbeitia, PhD, is an active learner educator, meaning her classes are generally loud, active and involving a lot of group work. Her students call her "Dr. Berry." She has been at CMU since 2018, and has taught a variety of courses ranging from College Algebra to Graduate Number Theory. She specializes in Abstract Algebra and has advised several undergraduate capstone projects. She is currently the Math Club advisor and the co-chair of the Teacher 2 Teacher committee.

She loves the great outdoors and is an avid biker, hiker, backpacker and camper. She also loves baking and wants to have her own bakery someday.

Ana Berrizbeitia's Curriculum Vitae 

Selected Publications

Parking Functions, Shi Arrangements, and Mixed Graphs (with M. Beck, M. Dairyko, C. Rodriguez, A. Ruiz and S. Veeneman)
Mathematical Monthly (accepted, pending publication).

The p-adic Valuation of Stirling Numbers (with L. Medina, A. Moll, V. Moll and L. Noble) Journal for Algebra and Number Theory Academia 1, 2010, 1-30.

Invited Talks

Invited speaker. Parking Functions, Shi Arrangements, and Mixed Graphs Hartland Talk, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, February 5, 2015

Invited speaker. Parking Functions, Shi Arrangements, and Mixed Graphs USTARS, Berkeley, California, April 2014

Invited speaker. The p-adic Valuation of Stirling Numbers Joint Math Meetings, Washington D.C., January 2009
Poster Presentations

Poster presentation. Invariants of Hopf Actions on Path Algebras of Quivers, Algebra Extravaganza Conference, Philadelphia, PA, July 2017

Poster presentation. The p-adic Valuation of Stirling Numbers SACNAS conference, Salt Lake City, UT, October 2008

Education

PhD, Stanford University
BS, University of Denver

Biography

Scott Bevill, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Denver and went on to earn his PhD from Stanford University. Bevill is the department head of computer science and engineering and is an associate professor of mechanical engineering in the Colorado Mesa University and University of Colorado-Boulder Partnership Program, where he teaches Computer Aided Design and Fabrications, Statics and Structures and Dynamics and Structured Research, among other things.

Blake Bickham, EdD, Professor, is the Assistant Department Head at Colorado Mesa University's Center for Teacher Education.

Bickham has more than 25 years of teaching experience at the high school, college and graduate levels. He taught internationally in Uzbekistan and Mexico as well as in Houston, Miami and now in Grand Junction, Colorado. He holds a BA and MA in English from Texas A&M University and an EdD in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston. His interests include teacher education, integrated literacy and the moral dimensions of teaching.

Listen to Bickham's episode on the CMUnow Faculty Friday podcast.

Education

PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
MS, Colorado State University
BS, Colorado State University

Biography

Cathy Bonan-Hamada has been a mathematics faculty member at Colorado Mesa University since 1996. Born and raised in western Colorado, Cathy earned a BS in applied mathematics and an MS in mathematics at Colorado State University. She also earned a PhD in mathematics at University of Colorado, Boulder. Bonan-Hamada teaches primarily mathematics courses required for the mathematics major at the calculus level and above, but occasionally teaches College Algebra and Precalculus as well.

She enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities and is grateful to live in western Colorado with her family.

Education

Biography

Edward was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His current research interest is in mathematical cognition which includes trying to understand the logical systems employed in mathematical reasoning and how these systems are constructed in the learning process. 

Professor Philip Bottone teaches radiologic sciences courses at Colorado Mesa University. He will be teaching RADS 320, RADS 320L and RADS 459 during the fall semester.

Bottone has over 26 years of experience in the health field in multi-modality diagnostic imaging, and his experience spans from staff technologist to department administration.

Education

MS, Cornell University
BS, Pennsylvania State University

Biography 

Laurie Brandt is a professional geologist who teaches introductory geology classes at CMU Montrose, where she has taught since 2000. Her classes include the Geology of Colorado, Introduction to Physical Geology and Earth Science. Brandt has a BS from Penn State in Geography/Geology and a MS from Cornell University in Remote Sensing/Geology.

She has worked in the field of engineering geology for 20 years and her office at DOWL, a consulting firm providing civil engineering and related services is near campus. Her duties include geotechnical evaluations of roads, bridges, dams and structures as well as geologic, geologic hazard and mineral assessments.

Brandt brings her classes to the geotechnical laboratory at DOWL to show them soil types and tests that are performed on rocks and soils for engineering properties. She also shares her working knowledge of geology to show students the relevance of geology in their lives, including soils issues for homes and roads in the region, geologic hazards and details about mineral resources.

She has two teenage daughters and cycling is an important part of their life. She raced mountain bikes professionally in the 1990’s and is an assistant coach for the Ridgway Composite High School Mountain Bike team. This team combines students from Montrose, Ridgway, Norwood and Ouray. Brandt is a trail and cycling advocate who serves on the local board of Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA). She also loves dogs and competes in dog sledding events where dogs pull her on skis (skijoring).

Shannon Branfield, PhD, is a Visiting Instructor of English in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication at Colorado Mesa University. Currently, she teaches composition courses, Introduction to Literature, and Mythology. Through a focus on a multiplicity of perspectives and the ongoing negotiation of cultural narratives, she encourages her students to see themselves as active members of a cultural community and to use their media literacy to be aware of the narratives that impact themselves and others. At the end of the class, students engage as artists themselves and create their own work inspired by the course texts, adding their voices to the cultural conversation.

Her primary areas of research include 19th century British literature, masculinities studies, and contemporary popular culture. Her dissertation research focused on examining the instability of masculinity in the Victorian world, as reflected in Victorian sensation fiction. Her current research focuses on the politics of contemporary fantasy by authors of color.

As a first-generation college student, she understands the obstacles many students face and works to increase access to education. As a teacher, her goal is to create an inclusive environment where students encounter a variety of perspectives in order to challenge their preconceptions and see themselves as members of a global community. Her classes center on three fundamental questions: What perspective is this from? What else is this connected to? What if things were different? This emphasis on perspective and potential underlies her focus on genre fiction as a means for exploring cultural narratives of race, gender, and sexuality.

Through literature and popular culture, students encounter diverse experiences in order to understand both prevailing narratives and the ways in which authors throughout history have contested, negotiated, and rewritten them. After spending the semester exploring the relationships between cultural narratives, representation, social context, and varying audience positionality, students contribute to the cultural conversation as creators, not merely consumers, and design the creative project of their choice. This focus on guiding students to tailor the assignments to their own interest is intrinsic to her commitment to support students as they take an active role in their education.

Shannon Branfield's Curriculum Vitae 

Biography

Morgan Bridge, PhD, completed her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Arts at Chadron State College in Nebraska. Bridge went on to earn her doctoral degree from the University of Wyoming. Bridge specializes in Economics and Finance and is passionate about economics and financial literacy. Knowing the impact economic and financial literacy can have on students, Bridge strives to provide opportunities for students to apply what is discussed in the classroom to their lives. Bridge has presented at numerous events on the current state of the economy as well as conducted research in the areas of student retention and learning. Bridge enjoys faculty-led student trips abroad having co-sponsored groups of students in China and Eastern Europe.

Selected Scholarship

Bridge, M.K., Carpenter, D.A. and Barbee, P. (2010) Developing a Local Price Index. Presentation accepted for the International Business and Economics Research Conference. [Las Vegas, NV, Oct 2010]

Bridge, M.K. (2011) MBA Assessment. Presented at the 52nd National Mountain Plains Management Conference [Grand Junction, CO. Oct 2011.

Galpin, T., Rosenberg, M. and Bridge, M.K. (2011). Teaching Essential Merger and Acquisition (M&A) Skills, Presented at the 52nd National Mountain Plains Management Conference [Grand Junction, CO. Oct 2011.

Bridge, M.K. (2011) Creating Jobs Through Small Business. Presentation accepted for the International Business and Economics Research Conference. [Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 2011].

Bridge, M.K. (2012). Linking State/Local Business Taxes, GDP, Business Start-ups and Unemployment: Positive Change for Economic Growth. Abstract published for the International Business and Economics Research Conference. [Las Vegas, Nevada, October 2012.]

Holly Buglewicz graduated from the University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing and minors in Management and Communication Studies. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in Communication Studies from UNO in 2015.

As a scholar, the primary scope of her research involves interpersonal and family communication. As an interpretive scholar, Buglewicz's thesis was a qualitative study that explored the effects of parental divorce on young adult male romantic relationships. She continues to expand her research in the realm of interpersonal relationships and family communication. In recent years, she has explored and advised student researchers on topics of family dynamics and communication; family communication and social structures; organizational communication and leadership; inclusivity and intercultural communication in the workplace.

Buglewicz has been teaching in higher education since 2013, where she was appointed as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Communication Department at UNO. She began her FT teaching career at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in 2016.

Here at CMU, Buglewicz teaches a variety of Human Communication courses.

• Essential Speech
• Speechmaking
• Interpersonal Communication
• Intercultural Communication
• Communication and Leadership
• Family Communication
• Special Topics in Communication
• Independent Studies in Communication

In addition to the above courses, Buglewicz also teaches First Year College Success, an introductory course for new students. As an educator, her goal is to engage students by showing them the applicability of communication within any given situation. Additionally, she hopes to instill a sense of responsibility in her students, not only in their scholarship, but also, in their roles as community members. She believes the best way to identify areas of individual growth is to get comfortable being uncomfortable, with this, she challenges her students to lean into their discomfort in order to expand their minds. She helps her students learn how to think critically, raise questions, and be active agents in the classroom and the community.

Beyond her work in the classroom, she serves on departmental and university committees. Additionally, Holly is a Safe Zone faculty member, conducts Mock Interviews for candidates entering into the BSN/LPN/Rad Tech programs, hosts university-wide Domestic Violence Awareness Events, and volunteers at the Community Food Bank.

Holly Buglewicz' Curriculum Vitae

Biography

Lisa Bush received her undergraduate degree in music education from Colorado State University where she studied with Dr. Janet Landreth. She has been trained in Suzuki piano teaching methods and has taught private, partner and group piano lessons in a variety of settings. Bush has also directed adult and youth bell choirs for more than 20 years and is an active accompanist throughout the Grand Valley.

In addition to being on the faculty at Colorado Mesa University, she is the director of Shining Stars Music Academy, a nonprofit music school that provides affordable music lessons and performance opportunities for students.

Miguel Angel Bustamante, PhD, has completed a postdoctoral appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo where he worked on Intelligence Community Research entitled Semantic Video Summarization.

Bustamante holds a doctorate in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Computer Information Systems from Catholic University and California Polytechnic University.

As an educator, Bustamante is an enthusiastic teacher and he has experience teaching and developing online course content (for graduate and undergraduate students) using a learning management system. He has taught and developed courses including databases, web application development, systems analysis, web programming, networks (server administration), managing production and information systems, and data analytics.

In addition, Bustamante has certificates in Oracle SQL & PL/SQL and two certificates at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Data Science and Big Data Analytics: Making Data-Driven Decisions and Machine Learning with Python-From Linear Models to Deep Learning. He is currently finishing the MIT Micro Master's in Statistics and Data Science program.

Before returning to academia, Bustamante was a programmer, consultant, programmer analyst, and project leader with companies in California and Nebraska.

Bustamante has published several papers at the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) including two manuscripts. His initial work, which appears in the AMCIS 2012 Proceedings, implements semantic modeling through a multi-entity Bayesian network, a form of a probabilistic ontology.

In addition, he is a KPMG PhD Project Doctoral Scholar. His research interests focus on data and knowledge management. He has created innovative tools to improve data and knowledge management. For example, he developed a model to link knowledge and network topology properties with performance. This model has been published in the Proceedings of the 2008 Northeast Decision Sciences Institute and his research has been successfully deployed in an initial prototype video information understanding system. 

Education

MA, Colorado State University
BA, Fort Lewis College

Biography

Bonnie Butler earned her master's degree in English from Colorado State University and her bachelor of arts in humanities (emphasizing English, psychology and art) from Fort Lewis College. Butler teaches English Composition and Introduction to Literature.

She enjoys teaching using a variety of methods and strives to facilitate an engaging and comfortable classroom community.

When not teaching at CMU, Butler enjoys hiking with her dogs, reading or playing with recipes from her collection of cookbooks.

Resumé

Josh Butler grew up in the Grand Valley area of Colorado before moving about the country with his father. After dedicating his youth to learning how to draw and then trying to forget it, he returned to the Grand Valley after receiving both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts from Colorado State University.

Butler believes he may have succumbed to the "Curse of the Utes" in returning to the Grand Valley area, or perhaps that he won some sort of karmic lottery to be able to do what he loves, making and teaching art, in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Butler has deep familial roots in the American West and honors the adventurous spirit that runs in his blood. His grandfather, Wendell Earl, claimed that such nefarious characters as Bill Cody, the Jesse James clan and various other lesser known bootleggers and swindlers are all a part of the family tree. The truth may be irrelevant as it is the spirit of the Maverick that is important for an artist.

Education

PhD, Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism: Washington State University 
MS, Hospitality Management: Oklahoma State University 
BBA, Tourism Management: Xiamen University

Biography

Ruiying Cai, PhD, is an assistant professor of hospitality management in the business department. Throughout the years, Cai has gained experience in hotels, resorts and restaurants.

Her research interests include service marketing, consumer behavior and well-being. Cai has published articles in SSCI listed journals such as Tourism Management, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management. She has also been reviewers for several refereed journals and members of International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education. Cai has presented her research at a number of international conferences.

She teaches hospitality management and marketing courses.

Dale B. Call earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University with majors in microbiology and zoology, and then earned his doctor of medicine from the University of Maryland Medical School.

He specialized in obstetrics and gynecology and practiced in Tucson, Arizona, for 19 years before moving to Cedaredge, Colorado. Once there, he was the only practicing OB/Gyn physician in Delta County for the next five years. He left the practice of medicine for health reasons and began teaching at Colorado Mesa University in 2007.

Call currently teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology and Gross Human Development and Anatomy. He draws on his experience in medicine and surgery to illustrate and help students relate to their own experiences helping them internalize the concepts they are learning. He received the Apple Teacher Award from Altrusa International, Inc. of Montrose in 2011.

Dale Call's curriculum vitae

Education

PhD, University of Colorado

MA, University of Colorado

BA, University of Colorado

Biography

Robin Calland, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado-Denver and went on to earn her Master of Arts and PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Currently an assistant professor of English at Colorado Mesa University, Calland teaches classes in English Composition, Language Systems and Linguistic Diversity, Literature for Young Adults, Children's Literature and Introduction to Literary Theory and Criticism.

Christopher Carcia, PhD, received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Afterwards, he worked full-time in an outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine practice for 10 years in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut area. In 1999, Carcia received his post-professional master’s degree in physical therapy with an emphasis in orthopedics from the Institute of Health Professions at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2002, Carcia completed his PhD in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sports medicine at the University of Virginia. Upon completion of his PhD, Carcia accepted a faculty position in the Department of Physical Therapy at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his time at Duquesne, Carcia was granted tenure, served as department chair and director of a PhD program in rehabilitation science.

Carcia teaches coursework in the areas of kinesiology and musculoskeletal physical therapy. His research focus is associated with the kinesiology and clinical biomechanics of both the upper and lower extremities. Carcia has published more than 35 papers in peer reviewed refereed journals, contributed to several book chapters and numerous national/international presentations.

Despite being a full-time academic, Carcia has remained engaged in clinical practice on a part-time, limited basis throughout the years. He feels strongly that continued clinical practice not only augments both his teaching and research but also ensures he remains contemporary in the field.

He is certified as both an orthopedic and sports specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Carcia is excited to serve as the founding program director in physical therapy at CMU.

When not teaching or working on a research project, Carcia can be found either spending time with his family, riding his bike or hiking in and around the Grand Valley.

Selected Publications

Hannah DC, Scibek JS, Carcia CR, Phelps AL. Junior and collegiate tennis players display similar bilateral asymmetries of humeral retroversion. J Athl Train. Submitted – under review.

Carroll LA, Kivlan BR, Martin RL, Phelps AL, Carcia CR. The single leg squat test: a ‘top-down’ or ‘bottom-up’ functional performance test? Intl J Sports Phys Ther. In-press.

Cacolice PA, Carcia CR, Scibek JS. Shoulder flexion torque is augmented by a volitional abdominal isometric contraction. J Strength Cond Res. In-press. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003277

Cacolice PA, Carcia CR, Scibek JS, Phelps AL. Ground reaction forces are predicted with functional and clinical tests in healthy collegiate students. J Clin Med. 9, 2907; doi:10.3390/jcm9092907

 Carcia CR, Cacolice PA, McGeary S. Defining lower extremity dominance: the relationship between preferred lower extremity and two functional tasks. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 14(2):188-191, 2019

Hannah DC, Scibek JS, Carcia CR, Phelps AL. Reliability and validity of a 1-person technique to measure humeral torsion using ultrasound. J Athl Train. 53(6):590-596, 2018.

Martin RL, Chimenti R, Cuddeford T, Houck J, Matheson JW, McDonough CM, Paulseth S, Wukich DK, Carcia CR. Achilles pain, stiffness and muscle power deficits: midportion Achilles tendinopathy revision 2018. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 48(5):A1-A38, 2018.

Hannah DC, Scibek JS, Carcia CR. Strength profiles in healthy individuals with and without scapular dyskinesis. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 12(3):390-401, 2017.

Kivlan BR, Carcia CR, Christoforetti JJ, Martin RL. Comparison of range of motion, strength, and hop test performance of dancers with and without femoroacetabular impingement. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 11(4):527-535, 2016.

Kivlan BR, Carcia CR, Clemente R, Phelps AL, Martin RL. The effect of ASTYM therapy on muscle strength: a blinded, randomized, clinically controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 16(325):1-10, 2015.

Cacolice PA, Carcia CR, Scibek JS, Phelps AL. The use of functional tests to predict sagittal plane knee kinematics in NCAA-D1 female athletes. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 10(4):1-12, 2015.

Scibek JS, Carcia CR. Validation of a new method for assessing scapular anterior-posterior tilt. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 9(5):644-656, 2014.

Carcia CR, Cacolice PA, Scibek JS. Sidelying glenohumeral internal rotation values in healthy collegiate populations. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 8(6):793-799, 2013.

Scibek JS, Carcia CR. Validation and repeatability of a shoulder biomechanics data collection methodology and instrumentation. J Appl Biomech. 29(5):609–615, 2013.

Kivlan BR, Carcia CR, Clemente FR, Phelps AL, Martin RL. Reliability and validity of functional performance tests in dancers with hip dysfunction. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 8(4):360-369, 2013.

Carcia CR, Scibek JS. Causation & management of calcific tendonitis and periarthritis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 25(2):204-209, 2013.

Lindenberg KM, Carcia CR. The influence of heel height on vertical ground reaction force during landing tasks in recreationally active and athletic collegiate females. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 8(1):1-8, 2013.

Scibek J, Carcia CR. Presentation and conservative management of acute calcific tendinopathy: a case study & literature review. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 21:334-342, 2012.

Scibek J, Carcia CR. Assessment of scapulohumeral rhythm for scapular plane shoulder elevation using a modified digital inclinometer. World J Orthop. 3(6):87-94, 2012.

Carcia CR, Kivlan B, Scibek JS. Time to peak force is related to frontal plane landing kinematics in females. Physical Therapy in Sport, 13(2):73-79, 2012.

Lindenberg KM, Carcia CR, Phelps AL, Martin RL, Burrows AM. The influence of heel height on sagittal plane knee kinematics during landing tasks in recreationally active and athletic collegiate females. Intl J Sports Phys Ther., 6(3):186-189, 2011.

Carcia CR, Kivlan B, Scibek JS. The relationship between lower extremity closed kinetic chain strength and sagittal plane landing kinematics in female athletes. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 6(1):1-9, 2011.

Christopher Carcia's curriculum vitae

Brooke A. Carlson (he/him/his), PhD, teaches rhetoric and composition, literature and Shakespeare, under the auspices of a general education at an institution of higher education. A Colorado native and son of public-school teachers, Carlson earned a bachelor’s degree in English and French at Bowdoin College, taught high school English for five years in Portland, Maine, and then earned a PhD in Early Modern Literature at the University of Southern California. Carlson taught internationally in Seoul, South Korea, and Honolulu, Hawai’i, before returning to the US and Colorado, where he is now an Instructor of English at Colorado Mesa University.

Brooke Carlson Curriculum Vitae

Though she only spends some of her time at CMU, Elise Carlson, EdD, loves engaging with students. When on-campus, she ensures that her students work through real-world concepts and problems together. When teaching online, she still fosters critical analysis and discussion among students drawing upon a variety of instructional techniques.

Whether guiding students through the interpersonal intricacies of organizational behavior, the fraught concepts of ethics or the detailed work of project management, she enjoys each course.

Carlson has had the honor of teaching at both the collegiate and high school levels, including business, journalism and English courses. She has also served on committees for developing future-ready students and school improvement. She likes to see students engaging with the content and each other, focusing on quality over quantity. 

She believes that our best learning sinks in due to care and application.

Elise Carlson Curriculum Vitae

Published Work

Carlson, E.T. “An Analysis of the Relationships Between State Mandates for Financial Education and Young Adults’ Financial Literacy and Financial Capability” Dissertation

Carlson, E.T., The Fearless Freshman: Hack Your Mentality for a Successful First Year of High School
© 2019, ISBN 1097999645

Education

PhD, University of California
MA, University of California
BA, Hamilton College

Biography

Colin Carman, PhD, received his Bachelor of Arts from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and went on to earn both his master's of arts and PhD from the University of California-Santa Barbara.

After teaching at Colby College, Carman joined Colorado Mesa University faculty as an instructor of English in 2013. He teaches Survey of British Literature II, Western World Literature I, British Romanticism, Early American Literature, LGBT studies, Introduction to Literature, and Composition.

A contributing writer at the Gay and Lesbian Review, he served as a Mayers residential fellow at the Henry E. Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and has published widely in Romanticist and critical theory. In 2019, he was a residential fellow in England via the Jane Austen Society of North America's International Visiting Program.

Colin Carman's curriculum vitae

Selected Publications

"The Radical Ecology of the Shelleys" (Routledge Books, 2019)

“Tiptoeing through Keats: Queer Ecological Pedagogies in the Age of the Anthropocene,” Romantic Circles Pedagogy Commons Series (RCPS), forthcoming (2018)

“Tree Worship and the Oedipal Ecology of The Tree and The Tree of Life” in ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment 25, 3 (Summer 2018)

“Oceans and Ecotones in Mary Shelley’s Maurice, or the Fisher’s Cot,” Landscapes: the Journal of the International Centre for Landscape and Language 7, no. 1 (2016): Art. 23

“Godwin’s Fleetwood, Shame, and the Sexuality of Feeling,” Nineteenth-Century Prose 41, nos. 1/2. Guest editors R. Weston and B. Tharaud (Spring-Fall 2014): 225-276.

“‘Freedom leads it Forth’: Queering the Epithalamium in Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound,” European Romantic Review 24, no. 5 (2013): 579-602.

“Deficiencies: Mental Disability and the Imagination in Scott’s Waverley novels,” Studies in Scottish Literature 39, no. 1(2013): 138-60.

“Grizzly Love: the Queer Ecology of Timothy Treadwell,” GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies 18, no. 4 (Fall 2012): 507-28.

“Shelley’s Medusa: ‘Eyes of Pain’ in The Cenci of 1819,” Horror Studies 3, no. 1 (June 2012): 3-19.

Katlyn Casagrande teaches Introduction to Criminal Justice, Orientation to Criminal Justice Inquiry, Corrections, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and Criminology.

She enjoys helping students find their passion and work towards their goals. Casagrande wants to foster student success, however that is defined for each individual student. She believes in the concept of lifelong learning; rather than memorizing facts, she wants to teach students how to evaluate information. Casagrande wants students to develop their sense of curiosity and know how to find the answers to any questions they can dream up.

Casagrande's research focuses on the mental health experiences of incarcerated populations, those who work in the criminal justice system, and criminal justice involved individuals. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, she enjoys exploring many aspects of criminal justice, from risk assessments, to forensics, to police, and policy.

When not teaching, researching, or advising, she can be found spending time with her dogs and crafting or reading a good book.

Katlyn Casagrande Curriculum Vitae 

Published Work

Vaughan, A. D., Poorboy, D. A., and Casagrande, K. C. (2024). “Shifting patterns for police service during the 2021 Texas ice storm: Implications for policy and practice” in G. Cordner, and M. Wright (Eds.) Policing Within a Crisis. Routledge.

Casagrande, K. (2023). An assessment of psychological distress symptoms and accessing mental health treatment among aging incarcerated persons. Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research, 9(3), 409-426. 

Casagrande, K. & Vaughan, A. (2023). Differential use of mental health treatment by race and ethnicity in prison. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 50(7), 996-1015. 

Casagrande, K. (2023). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders by demographics in jail populations. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 1-17. 

Education

MA, Northern Arizona University

BA, Northern Arizona University

Post-degree, Secondary Education, Northern Arizona University

Biography

Paula Casey received her Bachelor of Arts in speech communication with a computer science minor from Northern Arizona University and went on to earn a post-degree in secondary education and her Master of Arts in English / rhetoric, also from Northern Arizona University. Casey teaches Interpersonal Communications, Speechmaking and Argumentation and Debate.

She was a nationally competitive debater on the NAU Forensics Team, and as a graduate assistant coached the team and taught courses for the speech department. Casey has high school experience which includes teaching a variety of courses and coaching forensics at Chandler High School in Arizona, and Delta High School in Colorado.

Tim Casey, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in History from Northern Arizona University and went on to earn his Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of San Francisco and his PhD in Political Theory from Arizona State University. A professor of political science, Casey teaches Political Theory, Environmental Politics and Religion and Politics among other courses.

Casey has also developed several Maverick Milestone courses as well as a broader social science course for general education, focusing on the interaction between technology and social systems. This course, like so many other teaching and research interests, highlights his deep commitment to interdisciplinary studies and the pursuit of understanding wherever that path might lead. His research interests include Canadian studies, natural resource policy and environmental thought.

As Director of the Natural Resource Center at CMU, he is actively involved in a variety of research projects focused on the recreational use of public lands and the connection between communities and the landscape that surrounds them. Much of this research entails cooperative agreements with the Bureau of Land Management.

Curriculum Vitae

Karl Castleton grew up in the mountains of Colorado, in Silverton and Telluride, where he was first introduced to Apple and TRS-80 computers. He spent much of his time in junior high school in the library, learning to program those computers. He graduated from Central High School in Grand Junction in 1985. Castleton took classes at CMU during that time in electronics, as part of a vocational tech program.

Castleton started as a student at CMU who only wanted to get more education than a high school diploma. While taking electronics technology classes, he discovered he enjoyed programming and earned an AAS and began his bachelor's degree in computer science. Near the end of his work on the computer science degree, Castleton realized it was not much more effort to complete a mathematics degree as well. After graduating in 1992 with both degrees, he was hired by a national laboratory to do systems integration work. He earned a Master's degree at Washington State University during his time at the national laboratory. His career with the lab lasted 20 years.

Education

PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2009
MS, University of Colorado at Denver, 2003
BS, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, 1997

Biography

Francisco Castro won professional recognition for his Mechanical Engineering Outstanding PhD Dissertation in 2009. His research interests include the mechanical characterization of polymers, thermo-mechanical behavior of shape memory polymers and constitutive model implementation of shape memory polymers.

Selected Publications

F. Castro, K.K. Westbrook, J. Hermiller, D.U. Ahn, Y. Ding, H.J. Qi, 2009. Time and
Temperature Dependent Recovery of Epoxy-Based Shape Memory Polymers. Submitted.

F. Castro, K.K. Westbrook, K.N. Long, R. Shandas, H.J. Qi, 2009. Effects of thermal
rates on the thermomechanical behaviors of amorphous shape memory polymers. Mech
Time-Depend Mater. Accepted.

K.K. Westbrook, F. Castro, K.N. Long, A.J. Slifka, H.J. Qi, 2009. Improved testing
system for thermomechanical experiments on polymers using uniaxial compression
equipment. Polymer Testing. Accepted.

T. D. Nguyen, H. J. Qi, F. Castro, K.N. Long, 2008. A thermoviscoelastic model for
amorphous shape memory polymers: Incorporating structural and stress relaxation, J.
Mech. Phys. Solids, 56: 2792-2814

H.J. Qi, T.D. Nguyen, F. Castro, C. Yakacki, R. Shandas, 2008. Finite Deformation
ThermoMechanical Behavior of Thermally Induced Shape Memory Polymers, J. Mech.
Phys. Solids, 56:1730-1751.

Biography

Although, DeArtha Chambers is former military brat educated in the Department of Defense school system providing her a sound educational foundation with high academic rigor and expectations, her path to higher education was not straight. In 1993, Chambers received her GED and did not return to school until 1997-1998, again from 2001-2003 and then yet one more hiccup in 2004 before deciding in 2009 to return for completion of her associate degree in 2010.

Returning to Ball State University for her BS, and later a MA, Chambers found herself in communication studies by default only to find understanding, purpose, hope and a desire to teach others the life changing knowledge she had gained. Her experience and desire to teach in higher education led her to the graduate program at BSU with a graduate teaching position and the road to CMU.

Today, she enjoys challenging students to investigate their own communication behaviors using a flipped pedagogical approach with a seminar delivery style, a bit of application activities and a dash of gamification. In her "free" time, she enjoys gaming, reading, gardening, innovatively cooking, crafting and binge watching a variety of media.

View DeArtha Chambers' curriculum vitae

Selected Published Works

Chambers, D. (2016). Argumentation as the basic communication course: What students really need. Presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Chambers, D. (2016). Toulmin’s model of argumentation and Apples to Apples. G.I.F.T. presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Chambers, D. (2019). Adopting but wait there’s more, gamification of Monroe’s motivated sequence. G. I. F. T. presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference, Omaha, NE.

Chambers, D. (2015). Introduction/Eulogy/Celebratory introductory micro-speech. G.I.F.T presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference, Madison, WI.

Shad, D. (2012). Cycles of Life. Facing Poverty: Bridging the Poverty Divide One Story at a Time (pp. 51-53), Muncie, IN; George and Frances Ball Foundation.

Shad, D. (2012). Dear classmates: Dee Shad. Commentary, 2(8), 3.

Education

ND, University of Colorado
MA, University of Santa Monica
MA, University of Denver
BA, Western State Colorado University

Biography

Terry Chase, MA, ND, RN, is interested in all aspects and levels of health for the human being. In 1980, completing her Bachelor of Science in physical education/sociology at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., she began a teaching career in Grand Junction at the middle school level. With further interest in exercise science, Terry completed a master's in sports sciences at the University of Denver. Upon completing that degree, Terry became a national facilitator of exercise science for people with disabilities working for Disabled Sports USA.

Achieving a Nursing Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in 1996, Chase began an 18-year career with Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo. as renowned rehabilitation center for people with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Terry was the Coordinator of Patient and Family Education, expanding a well-respected educational program know nationwide in the field of rehabilitation. With an interest and passion for the spiritual aspects of health, Chase completed a master's in spiritual psychology with an emphasis in consciousness, health and healing at the University of Santa Monica. She utilizes all her education while teaching students, counseling clients and caring for herself and family members of all ages.

In addition to the higher education degrees achieved over the years, Chase is trained and skilled as a Gestalt psychotherapist and has training in equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy. She hopes to incorporate this work in her classes and program development in the CMU nursing program.

At CMU, Chase's emphasis is in guiding young nurses through the language and caring field when dealing with all aspects mental and emotional health of clients and patients in all levels of healthcare. She engages students with experiential activities that get them up and out of the seats for active learning as well as holding dialogue education principles in high regard throughout classes. Chase believes in "hearing the voices of students more than her own" is the greatest achievement in teaching.

Chase has taught in many and varied educational settings, including the traditional classroom, outdoor education, equine-assisted learning, professional conferences and with catastrophically injured people in the hospital setting. She is a true-believer in the value of dialogue and experiential education as well as the healing power of relationship in all situations.

In her off time, Chase engages in an active and healthy outdoor lifestyle in western Colorado. She is an avid hand cycler, cross-country skier, dog walker and swimmer, and explores other regions through camping and horse-riding.

Theresa Chase's curriculum vitae

Theresa Chase's blog

Selected Publications

Chase, TM. (January 2018). Blessed Mother Blue Sky. The Phoenix Soul. thephoenixsoul.com/blog/terrychase

Chase, TM. (June 2018). Three White Bellies. Halfway Down the Stairs. halfwaydownthestairs.net/index.php?action=view&id=706

Chase, T. Peer Counseling: A Holistic, Psycho-social Approach, Chapter 47, ISCoS Textbook on Comprehensive Management of Spinal Cord Injuries. Editor: Harvinder Singh Chhabra. Wolters Kluwer (India) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 2015

Chase, TM, Jha A, Brooks CA & Allshouse A. (Accepted for publication 10-2013). A pilot feasibility study of massage to reduce pain in people with spinal cord injury during acute rehabilitation. Spinal Cord.

Chase, TC & Bricker, D. (January, 2010). Paralyzed but not powerless: Patient and family education in the rehabilitation setting. Therapy Times.com.

Chase, TM. (2009). Power for the Patient in the Rehabilitation Setting. SCI Nursing, 26,(2) pg. 31-21.

Chase, TM. (2007). Development of a Complementary & Alternative Medicine Program in an Acute Rehabilitation Setting. SCI Nursing, 24(1).

Sumeet Chaudhary, PhD, research interest is in engineering education. He is specifically interested in using different pedagogical techniques to enhance the engineering classroom environment.

Selected Publications

A. Hasebu, S. Chaudhary “Commercial 4G LTE Networks for Supporting Evolving Smart Grid Applications”, International Journal of Networking and Computing Technology, 2020 (Submitted)

Yin, Z., Dong, Z., Cahay, M., Pixley, S., Haworth, K.J., Rahimi, M., Goh, S.K., Starnes, S., Patwardhan, M., Chaudhary, S. and Schulz, M.J., 2019. “Carbon Nanotube Wire for Use in Precision Medical Devices.” in Nanotube Superfiber Materials (pp. 825-849). William Andrew Publishing.

Megha Chitranshi, Devika Chauhan, Ashley Kubley, Anuptha Pujari, Chenhao Xu, Daniel Chen, Sumeet Chaudhary, Guangfeng Hou, Gregory Bell, Brooke Brandewie, Rutvik Kaneria, Ronald Hudepohl, Mark J Schulz, Pioneering carbon nanotube textile engineering & fashion technology. J Textile Eng Fashion Technol. 2019;5(2):89‒92

Devika Chauhan, Chenhao Xu, Daniel Chen, Ashley Kubley, Brooke Brandewie, Guangfeng Hou, Weifeng Li, Vianessa Ng, Massoud Rabiee, Marc Cahay, Woo Kyun Kim, Sumeet Chaudhary, Khwaja Moinuddin, Michael Paine, Richard Kleismit, David Mast, Surendra Devarakonda, Sang Young Son, Vesselin N Shanov and Mark J Schulz “Introduction to Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Textiles”, Journal of Textile Science and Fashion Technology, Volume 1 issue 5, 2019.

Poster presented at NMD workshop, May 21st-22nd ,2018; “Lightweight Induction Motor”Sumeet Chaudhary, Francois T Nyamsi Daniel R Chen , Guangfeng Hou, Max Rabiee, Marc Cahay, and Mark Schulz

Education 

PhD, Hotel Administration: University of Nevada Las Vegas
MS, Hotel Administration: University of Nevada Las Vegas
BBA, Travel and Tourism Management: Providence University 

Biography

Shiang-Lih Chen McCain, PhD, specializes in marketing. Her research interests include consumer buying decision process, service quality, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and service recovery.

Before joining Colorado Mesa University, McCain taught marketing research, consumer behavior, business statistics, hospitality marketing, hospitality data analytics and strategic marketing in a service environment at Widener University.

Published Work

Lin, I, Chen McCain, S. L. & Lolli, L. (2016) An Empirical Investigation into Customer Satisfaction with Travel Agencies' Service Recovery Efforts in Taiwan, Journal of Travel and Tourism Research. 61-77. 

Wong, K. & Chen McCain, S. L. (2016) Airline Passengers' Perception of Service Recovery- Cultural Differences in Perceived Justice, Journal of Travel and Tourism Research. 49-60.

Bowen, T. & Chen McCain, S. L. (2015), Transitioning Loyalty Programs: A Commentary on “The Relationship Between Customer Loyalty and Customer Satisfaction, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 27 (3), 415-430.

Helen Chmiel, EdD, is a Colorado native. She grew up in Denver and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her undergraduate studies focused on mathematics and master's degree on secondary mathematics education.

After teaching at the high school level for 10 years, Chmiel earned her Master of Applied Mathematics degree at Utah State University, in Logan, Utah, specializing in applied areas of statistics and statistical programming. She subsequently worked as a statistical programmer in the software industry. While working as a biostatistician, manager and project manager specializing in clinical trial research, she completed additional master’s level coursework in statistics. While working as a manager, she earned a doctoral business degree.

Throughout her career she continued to teach both mathematics and statistics at many levels including higher education institutions.

When Chmiel isn’t in the classroom, she enjoys golfing, walking and hiking in Colorado’s great outdoors or reading adventure mysteries. 

Education

DEd, Walden University
MA, Grand Canyon University
BA, California State University

Biography

Cynthia Chovich originates from Michigan and moved to San Diego county to complete her bachelor's degrees in English and Liberal Studies at California State University. She began her teaching career in southern California and eventually moved and continued teaching in rural northern Arizona. Chovich earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. 

While still teaching in the public education system, she also served as an adjunct instructor for Eastern Arizona College and Northern Arizona University for ten years. Chovich was recognized as an outstanding educator and was selected as Teacher of the Year by the state of Arizona. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Walden University.

After over twenty years of public education service, Chovich joined the faculty of Colorado Mesa University in 2007. Chovich’s expertise is in language and literacy acquisition and development. She also teaches integrated technology, assessment, curriculum and instruction, and educational pedagogy.

Chovich’s teaching philosophy while in public education was to meet the individual needs of her students through innovative and creative teaching strategies. She continues this practice at the higher education level while also motivating and educating future teachers. Chovich teaches her students not only about the content and techniques they need to be effective educators but about the critical role they will soon have in a child’s life. She always reminds her students that the world will be just fine because looking into the eyes of tomorrow is a teacher.

Education

MFA, Colorado State University

BA, Colorado Mesa University

Biography

Carol Irene Christ received her Bachelor of Arts in literature with a Spanish minor from Colorado Mesa University and went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing-poetry from Colorado State University. Christ is in her 11th year of teaching as a lecturer of English at Colorado Mesa University where she teaches Composition, Creative Writing, Arts Integration and Children's Literature. Christ enjoys teaching students of all ages, from the student returning to college after a long hiatus to a classroom of lively elementary-school kids. The last two years, Carol has taught entirely online for CMU, and has recently put several new classes online. She returned to campus in fall of 2014, teaching both traditional and online courses. She remains intent on crafting online classes which are both rigorous and standard-setting.

Carol Christ's curriculum vitae

Rhonda Claridge received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Classical Literature from New York University and went on to earn her Master of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Colorado. An Instructor of English at Colorado Mesa University-Montrose Campus since 1999, Claridge primarily teaches English Composition and Mythology.

Originally from the Bahamas, Claridge moved to the high country of the Southern Rocky Mountains in 1992. She began reporting for a local newspaper in 1995, and she continues to publish articles as a freelance writer. Fiction, personal essays and researched non-fiction relating to human and natural history are her favored genres.

Claridge's goal as an instructor is to instill a love of learning and language. Citing an Association of American Colleges and Universities study, she points out that strong communication skills are a priority among today's employers. Thus, she emphasizes to students the importance of learning how to communicate effectively in order to succeed both professionally and personally. She challenges students to think independently, and teaches them to write in various forms in preparation for their future academic and career demands. Students are encouraged to work together and autonomously to learn more about their community and to explore their own identities. Assignments may require them to interview regional experts on an issue or event, or to research a myth from their ancestral heritage.

She engages students in the learning process by giving them free rein to explore topics of their own interest, by encouraging their progress and by helping them discover their particular strengths.

Awards

2008 First Prize, Telluride Literary Mirror Contest;

2007 Robin Magee Fellowship Award;

Honorable Mention, 2001 Katherine Anne Porter Prize, The Nimrod/Hardman Awards;

Highly Commended, 2001 Commonwealth Broadcasting Prize for Short Fiction;

1999 Literature Artist Fellowship, Colorado Council on the Arts;

1998 Phoebe Fiction Award, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA;

1997 Philip Roth Writer-in-Residence, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA;

Third Prize, 1996 Writers' Society of the Bahamas Playwright Competition;

1995 Transatlantic Review Award for Fiction, The Henfield Foundation, New York, NY;

1995 Jovanovitch Imaginative Writing Award for Fiction, University of Colo., Boulder;

1993 Scholarship, Squaw Valley Community of Writers

Education

MA, Economics: University of California, Davis
BA, Economics: Whitman College

Biography

Kevin Cochrane has taught as an adjunct at CMU since fall 2013. Previously, he taught for 10 years at College of the Desert in California and three years at the University of California Graduate School of Business/Davis.

He formerly was a senior executive of a NYSE listed national bank holding company, and also was the CEO of a national multibank operating company. Additionally, he was an on air economic correspondent for NBC TV/Southern California for several years.

Cochrane is a regular economic columnist for the Washington Times, The Washington Examiner and American Thinker magazine.

Kelly Coffin received an associate of science degree in respiratory therapy from Washburn University and practiced for five years as a registered respiratory therapist before returning to school to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washburn and her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University.

Coffin teaches in the online ADN to BSN program. She specializes in advanced medical and surgical nursing and has a true passion for practicing and teaching nursing.

She has been at CMU for 16 years and at St. Mary's Hospital in the critical care department for the past 20 years. She serves on the Critical Care Operations Council and Ethics Committee. Coffin is ACLS, TNCC, CCRN and PALS certified. Coffin and her husband are very active in their children's school and sport activities and enjoy the Colorado outdoors.

Christopher Cohu, PhD is a leading scientist in the field of plant stress physiology, phytoremediation, photosynthesis and plant productivity. Cohu received his Doctorate in Botany from Colorado State University and the Program in Molecular Plant Biology. There he developed as a scientist in the field of phytoremediation and plant stress with a focus on heavy metals such as copper, iron and manganese. He later joined the engineering company Solix Biosystems in Fort Collins, Colo. where he directed a team of algae scientists. He developed cutting-edge technologies in wastewater effluent remediation, recycling and remediation of toxic byproducts from hydraulic fracturing fluids and gases, and biofuel production. After Solix Biosystems he joined a world-renowned lab at the University of Colorado, Boulder and focused on investigating how to increase plant photosynthesis and plant biomass under stressful environments (including spaceflight and teraforming) for numerous plant species, both crop and non-crop. Cohu also worked with Dow AgroSciences in their Agronomic Traits division. There he developed new inventions and technologies for increased plant productivity for both agronomic yield and plant biomass. Since 2007, Cohu has been active as cofounder and CEO of Phytoremediation and Phytomining Consultants United (PPCU). He has been involved in remediation consulting and field deployment efforts to clean up heavy metals, metalloids, radionuclides and organic pollutant degradation using both plants and plant-associated microorganisms in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Recently, his work in the field of phytoremediation was highlighted in Superfund, Meet Super Plants, The New York Times. 

Cohu has been teaching at CMU since 2016 in the ENVS degree program, and higher-education teaching in environmental and biology related topics since 2004.

Relevant field experience:

• 2020 and 2019 TPH and BTEX endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system installation, Weld County, CO.
• 2019 TPH, BTEX and PAH endophyte-assisted phytoremediation installation, Corpus Christi, TX.
• 2019 TCE endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system installation, Smithfield, KY.
• 2019 Benzene phytoremediation at pipeline release on Sage-Grouse habitat using native vegetation, WY.
• 2019 1,4-D and vinyl chloride endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system in salt-impacted landfill, CO.
• 2018 BTEX, TPH and DCE endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system, Fairbanks, AK.
• 2018 TPH, BTEX and PAH endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system using pump-and-irrigate, WY.
• 2018 TPH and BTEX endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system, Dos Palos, CA.
• 2017 TCE and 1,4-D endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system, Playa Vista, CA.
• 2016 Nitrogen and Phosphorus phytoremediation for lakes and lagoons, Front Range, CO.
• 2015 TCE endophyte-assisted phytoremediation system installation, Norco, CA.
• 2014 TCE phytoremediation installation in Iowa – fully remediated site
• 2013 Selenium and Uranium Phytoremediation on a polluted sprayfield site
• 2010 Co-created a Large-Scale Algae and Bacteria Bioreactor to Remediate Hydraulic Fracturing Water and Gas Byproducts. Ute Indian Reservation, CO.
• 2009 Co-created an Algae Bioreactor for Remediation of Nutrients from Municipal Wastewater Streams

Cohu's teaching philosophy has grown and evolved over several years of teaching. He believes courses should include several themes: curiosity, comprehension, interaction, respect and fun. He approaches his teaching responsibilities with the feeling that it is an opportunity for him to share his experiences, just as a college education is an opportunity for students to experience science. He strives to make lasting connections with students and always aims to create an atmosphere of respect. Cohu's ultimate goal is to create foundations to foster an environment where students feel inclined to participate and have fun, all without fear of intimidation.

Dr. Rex Cole retired from CMU in May, 2020, as Professor of Geology, Emeritus. He is a third-generation Coloradan and has lived in western Colorado for most of his life. Cole received his AS Degree in Geology from Mesa College, a BS in Geology from Colorado State University, and a PhD in Geology from the University of Utah. He has more than 45 years of post-doctoral experience involving petroleum research and development, synthetic-fuels research, uranium exploration, mineral exploration, project management, and college/university teaching. During his 25 years at CMU and MSC he taught approximately 6,700 undergraduate students. Courses included Geology of Colorado, Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Field Methods, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Energy Resources, Mineral Resources, Subsurface Methods, Invertebrate Paleontology, Field Camp, and Senior Seminar. He has also interacted with numerous graduate students, mainly at the University of Colorado, Boulder (via the Williams Fork Consortium), the University of Oklahoma, and New Mexico Tech. His main technical interests include sedimentology, stratigraphy, energy and mineral resources, low-temperature geochemistry, volcanology, and geomorphology. Cole has authored or co-authored numerous geoscience research papers (mostly peer-reviewed), abstracts, book chapters, and field guidebooks. Several co-authored publications received awards from the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the Rocky Mountain Section of AAPG. He is a member of the Geological Society of America (Chair of Rocky Mountain Section in 2005), the Grand Junction Geological Society (past president and honorary life member), and the New Mexico Geological Society. He is also a registered professional geologist in Wyoming. In retirement, Cole continues to do research, interact with CMU students and faculty, conduct field trips, do community outreach, write manuscripts and guidebooks, and consult. Hiking, fishing, kayaking, and skiing are favorite personal activities.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, University of Texas

BS, Rhodes University

Biography

David Collins, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science at Rhodes University in South Africa and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. An associate professor of physics, Collins teaches General Physics, Intermediate Laboratory, Fundamental Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Statistical and Thermal Physics and Senior Research. Collins' research interests include quantum computing and quantum information, as well as foundations of quantum mechanics.

David's Colorado Mesa Page

Melissa Connor, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to earn her Master of Arts in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her PhD in geography from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. An associate professor of forensic anthropology, Connor teaches Human Remains Detection and Recovery for Medico-Legal Investigation, Criminalistics, Survey of Forensic Science and Forensic Taphonomy. Connor is also Director of the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS), which focuses its research interests on the decomposition of human remains. She is also the advisor for the forensic anthropology minor and Forensic Science Club. Her research interests include taphonomy, conflict archaeology and transitional justice.

Connor has 30 years of archaeological experience, and has worked in forensic science for the last 15 years. She is the author of Forensic Methods Excavation for the Archaeologist and Investigator, published by AltiMira Press in 2007. She specializes in mass grave sites, working in post-conflict area throughout the former Yugoslavia, and in Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and Nigeria. She gained her initial experience in battlefields working on archaeological sites such as the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. She is the co-author of Archaeological Perspectives on the Little Bighorn and They Died with Custer: Soldiers' Bones from the Battle of the Little Bighorn, both published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Connor started teaching after 15 years in federal government and her philosophy is strongly influenced by the practicalities and ethos of government service. She believes students need a strong grasp of the subject matter and high professional standards, but that it is as important to teach them to be life-long learners, to have a strong sense of ethics, to be team players and to be problem solvers. Without these tools, students will not succeed no matter how strong their grasp of the subject matter and with them they become leaders in their field.

At CMU, Connor works to incorporate these objectives into many of her courses. She incorporates discussions on the ethical issues of forensic science into the courses whenever possible. She puts students in situations where they must function as a team or fail, and she stresses research methods and problem-solving skills. Connor is also a strong believer in assessment, on the individual level, on the course level and on the programmatic level. Assessment is not just a report to be turned in yearly or a rubric for students, but an ongoing dialogue between students, faculty, administration and the market that hires our students.

Forensic science is an applied science and Connor believes its practitioners must continually reach out to professionals in the field and translate their needs to academia, as well as listen to the academic community. Her teaching goal is to produce graduates who are strong professionals and responsible members of their community.

Curriculum Vitae

Selected Publications:

Connor, Melissa A. 2013 The General Section: "Incubator" to New Forensic Disciplines and Home to Forensic Educators. Academy News 13(6):4. American Academy of Forensic Science.

Connor, Melissa, and Diane France 2013 A Two-pronged Meld for Regional Taphonomic Studies: A Case Example from Mesa County, Colorado. Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences 65th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Connor, Melissa A. 2010 When the Site is a Scene: Battlefield Archaeology and Forensic Sites. In The Historical Archaeology of Military Sites: An Introductory Statement of Method, C. Geier, L. Babits, D. Orr, and D. Scott (eds). Texas A&M Press. Pp. 31-38.

Connor, Melissa A. 2007 Forensic Methods Excavation for the Criminal Investigator and the Archaeologist. Altamira Press.

Scott, D.D., R. Fox, Melissa A. Connor, and D. Harmon 1989 Archaeological Perspectives on the Battle of the Little Bighorn. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

Scott, D.D., P., Willey, and Melissa A. Connor 1998 They Died with Custer: Soldiers Bones from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

Patrice Kurnath Connors, PhD, received a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York in 2006. After working at Yale University and UC Berkeley, she earned her doctoral degree from the University of Utah in 2016.

She teaches general human biology laboratory and principles of animal biology at CMU. She has also taught courses in mammalogy, ecology and human physiology.

Connors works in the field of ecological physiology, and she is broadly interested in how mammals physiologically respond to changes in their environments. More specifically, she has been investigating how small herbivores balance the challenges of eating toxic diets with thermoregulation. Students interested in working with Connors should stop by her office for a chat or set up a meeting via email. When you meet, be sure to ask her about March Mammal Madness!

Visit Patrice Connors' website.

A'lanne Conrad is an assistant professor in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.

A Colorado native raised in Colorado Springs. A Colorado Mesa University (Mesa Sate) alumna. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Performance and Wellness, Exercise Science/Athletic Training. After an initial journey in the financial world, she exited in 2013, and found her passion and first love, medicine. Attaining a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies in 2016 from the University of the Sciences - Philadelphia. She embraces the dynamic world of not only educating students but collaborating with peers. Promoting that a good clinician is always learning and willing to be a good educator.

Along with teaching at CMU, she practices her craft in the clinical setting as a physician assistant in the Grand Valley. When not working, she enjoys the great outdoors with her husband, Jon. She loves time with family, rafting, gardening, hiking, biking, painting, flying, crafting and reading.

Education

PhD, University of New Mexico

MS, Humboldt University

BA, Humboldt University

Biography

Jill Cordova, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in health, physical education and recreation as well as her Master of Science in education from Humboldt University and went on to earn her PhD in health and physical education from the University of New Mexico. She teaches Health and Wellness, History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Applications of Physical Fitness and Exercise Prescription, Practicum, Independent Study, Inclusive Physical Activity, Internship, Adapted Physical Activity and various fitness courses.

She uses a variety of teaching methodologies in her courses with a strong emphasis on student engagement and field work. Her scholarly interests include a variety of wellness projects and activities for individuals with disabilities. She is actively involved each year with the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and encourages student involvement with this activity as well as with many others throughout the school year.

She has received the following notable awards: Department of Veterans Affairs Special Contribution Award (2006-2012), Distinguished Faculty award nomination for outstanding teaching, scholarship, advising and service (2009), Colorado Mesa University Outstanding Achievement in Service Award (2003).

Selected Publications

College students' attitudes toward physical education. CAHPERD Journal, Vol. 29, (1), Fall 2004, p. 7-9.

Changing attitudes toward people with disabilities. Paleastra, Vol. 18, (3), Spring 2002

Cool runnings. Paraplegia News. Vol. 54, (9), 2000 pp. 14-17.

Colorado rafters challenge river and limitations. Challenge. Summer 2000, p. 10.

Accessing the Grand Canyon on the Rio Colorado. Sports 'N Spokes. May 2000, pp. 46-48.

Susceptibility to acute mountain sickness in spinal cord injured and amputee populations. Proceedings International Hypoxia Symposium, 1999.

Linda Cummins graduated from Ohio University with a BS in geography and minor in mathematics in 1985. She received an Air Force ROTC scholarship and upon graduation from Ohio University attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, to study meteorology. Cummins served in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorologist for more than seven years and commanded a weather detachment during Desert Storm in Masirah, Oman. Cummins earned a master's degree in management at Webster University and became an educator and facilitator for the Air Force Total Quality Management program prior to leaving military service.

Cummins earned her nursing degree after attending Southwest Illinois College in 1998 with an associate degree and returned to Ohio University for her BS in nursing in 2016. Cummins has worked in multiple areas of nursing including psychiatric, med-surg, pediatrics, mother-baby, and labor and delivery. Cummins also cared for hospice patients for more than 12 years and is a certified hospice and palliative nurse (CHPN).

Cummins is currently working on her master’s degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner in psychiatric-mental health nursing through Northern Kentucky University. Cummins believes the skills she gained practicing as a psychiatric-mental health nurse served her in every job and every aspect of her life. Mental health issues are not isolated to psychiatric facilities. Patients and family members in every area of nursing may have psychiatric issues that can complicate the nurse’s ability to provide quality nursing care to them. Cummins hopes to inspire her students to consider working in this complex, fascinating and critical area of nursing.

Cummins enjoys hiking, dog walking, quilting, cooking and reading.

Evan Curtis is an award-winning independent stop motion animator and filmmaker. His work has screened at SXSW, on PBS and in more than 50 festivals worldwide, including screenings in Canada, Brazil, London, Ireland, Greece and Romania. His films can be viewed at OreMagiFilms.com.

He received a BFA in film from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film at Purchase College and an MFA in animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He has interned at Blue Sky Studios and Adult Swim. He has taught film and animation in New Mexico and Utah.

Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains provided many defining adventures that have shaped a prevalent theme throughout his work involving the idea of home and how it relates to defining our place in an ever-changing landscape. His characters are explorers — traversing imagined worlds in search of themselves.

A major source of inspiration derives from his experiences as a trail crew leader teaching outdoor leadership and trail conservation to at-risk youth in Montana and the Adirondacks. When not teaching or making films, Evan can be found exploring the wilderness with his wife and dog.

Evan Curtis Curriculum Vitae.
Watch some of Evan Curtis films.

Education

PhD, University of Colorado

BS, Ursinus College

Biography

Tim D'Andrea received his B.S. in chemistry from Ursinus College in 2003. He continued his education at the University of Colorado, Boulder where he received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 2008. Since 2008, Tim has been employed at Colorado Mesa University where he is currently an Associate Professor of Chemistry.

D'Andrea regularly teaches several chemistry courses including Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and General Chemistry 1 and 2. In addition to teaching, Tim maintains an active research group. His research interests are in the area of Analytical Chemistry. Specifically, his group uses high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify and quantify thermal decomposition products of iso-alpha acids, which are desirable compounds extracted from hops.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

MaED, Adult Education: University of Phoenix 
BS, Teaching: Mesa State College
Professional Principal's License, State of Colorado 

Biography

Professionally, Don Davidson was an independent educational consultant for schools and districts nationally and internationally with 175 on-site staff development presentations and 77 on-site presentations featuring educational improvement and school safety issues. He is a university faculty supervisor and graduate school facilitator online for another prominent institution, with many successes at those endeavors since 1999, and specialized in leveraging technology and data to improve communication, learning and community outreach.

Davidson has been a school administrator at the elementary, intermediate, middle and high school levels with ten years of supervisory experience including the university level. He has monitored expenditures, admission and compliance, ongoing professional learning, and funds resourcing in those environments. He was the past director of professional development for the Department of Education in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

He has a background of association with Colorado Mesa University and its predecessors, having been an Aspinall scholar and phi alpha theta national writing champion, adult finite math instructor, former mesa student-athlete, and currently a Montrose campus lecturer.

Don Davidson's curriculum vitae

Published Work

Davidson, Don. Journal of the Western Slope, vol. 1, no. 4, Dec. 1986,https://dspace.library.colostate.edu/bitstream/handle/11166/88240/cogjm.JWS_v1_n4_1986.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Accessed 19 Feb. 2018. 

Davidson, Don. "Cultivating Adolescent's Need to Explore." Middle Ground, Aug. 2004, pp. 35-37,www.amle.org/portals/0/pdf/mg/Aug2004.pdf. Accessed 19 Feb. 2018.

Laurena Mayne Davis, PhD, brings to her Essential Speech classrooms applied communication experience in public affairs, public relations and journalism. Davis is an award-winning writer and editor, with research interests including using biofeedback to manage public speaking anxiety, and public and feminist rhetorics.

Selected Works

Haynes, Dave. Sandstone to Summit: Colorado and Utah Landscapes Through the Lens of Christopher Tomlinson. Editor. Published by Grand Junction Media Inc., 2014.

Buchanan, Dave. Drink It In: Wine Guide of Western Colorado. Editor. Published by Grand Junction Media Inc., 2013.

Davis, Laurena Mayne. Monumental Majesty: 100 Years of Colorado National Monument. Editor. Published by Grand Junction Media Inc., 2011.

Davis, Laurena Mayne. 125 People, 125 Years: Grand Junction’s Story. Museums of Western Colorado, 2007.

Trumbo, Dalton. Eclipse. Editor and introduction. Published by the Mesa County Public Library Foundation, 2005.

Davis, Laurena Mayne. Grand Junction & the Grand Valley: Visions of the 21st Century. Montgomery, Ala.: Community Communications, Inc. 1999.

Laurena Davis brings to her classrooms applied communication expertise in technical communication, public affairs, public relations, journalism, public speaking, and book publishing. Activities-based learning forms the core of every course, with students actively engaged as critical thinkers and makers. Davis's research areas include utilizing biofeedback to manage public speaking anxiety, oral histories, Hollywood 10 member Dalton Trumbo, and techno-feminist rhetoric.

Laurena Davis' Curriculum Vitae

Michael Delaney, PhD, received his Bachelor of Arts in biology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and went on to earn his JD from Salmon Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and his PhD in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati.

A professor at Colorado Mesa University, Delaney teaches Introduction to Criminal Justice, Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Justice, American Court Systems, Criminal Law and Civil Liability for Law Enforcement and Corrections. His teaching philosophy weds theory with real-world experience .

Delaney grew up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati. He has taught on the university level for almost three decades. He also practiced law from 1983 until 2008.

Classical guitarist Javier de los Santos began his formal music studies in 1998 in guitar performance under Francisco Javier Muro Guevara at the Unidad Académica de Música de la Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (UAMUAZ) in the State of Zacatecas, México. In 2006, under the guidance of Mr. Eric vanDiver Nohe, Javier earned his Bachelor of Arts in Guitar Performance at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. Javier holds a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music and studied with renowned Maestro Ricardo Iznaola.

De los Santos has performed extensively in México, U.S., Spain and Brazil. His recent performances include one at the Sherbino Theather in Ridway, Colorado, organized by the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild and the Sherbino Theater; with the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the Aspen Music Festival and School at Harris Concert Hall in Aspen, Colorado; a solo concert at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia, Colorado; and with the Apollo Chamber Players from Houston, Texas at the GJSO Chamber Concert Series. He has studied and performed at the CSU La Guitarra Española in Granada, Spain; has performed with Pepe Romero and the Romero's Guitar Quartet at the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute in Oklahoma City; with Charlotte Mc Clain, harpsichord, performing works for harpsichord and guitar at the Basalt Regional Library Concert Series and with CMU's 'Trio Meloso,' composed of Mary Lindsey Bailey, DMA, on oboe and Jane Kuenzel, on flute, at the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra's 'Chateau Chamber Concerts'. He has performed also with Dr. Bailey at the 'Musica no Museo, VII Rio Winds Festival' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; with the Grand junction Symphony Orchestra performing Antonio Vivaldi’s Guitar Concertos in D major and A major and the 'Fantasia para un gentil hombre' for guitar and orchestra by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo; with CMU faculty members Darin Kamstra, DMA, (percussion) Arthur Houle, DMA, (piano) and Ron Waylon Jordan (bass), performing Claude Bolling's Concerto for Classical Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio. De los Santos has performed for the Curiosity Project Retreats at Gateway Canyons Resort; held a recital at Brigham Young University in Utah, and has performed with the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, Symphony in the Valley and CMU Symphony Orchestra performing 'Concierto de Aranjuez' by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo. He has worked with Lisa Jacobson and Juanita Ulloa at 'Proyecto Cancion Espanola' in Granada, Spain and has performed at the Aspen Music Festival and School; the Bowdoin International Music Festival in Brunswick, Maine; at The Little Noon Music in Grand Junction, Colorado; and at the XV Semana Cultural de Zacatecas in Zacatecas, Mexico, various recitals and performances in Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico.

Since the Fall 2015, de los Santos has been guitar instructor for the Lead Guitar-Aspen Music Festival and School Guitar Programs in the Roaring Fork Valley. He is also the president and artistic director of the Western Colorado Classical Guitar Society based in Grand Junction, Colorado. De los Santos lives in Grand Junction and enjoys teaching guitar privately and teaches Music Theory and Guitar at Colorado Mesa University.

He is also a guitar instructor at Independence Academy Charter School, music director at St. Joseph Catholic Church and founder and artistic director of Mariachi San Jose based in Grand Junction, Colorado. De los Santos was the first place winner of the 2009 Denver Classical Guitar Society Solo Debut Competition and semifinalist at the 2010 Texas Annual Guitar Competition and Festival.

Learn more about Javier de los Santos.

Tevfik Demirciftci, PhD, received his MSc degree in hospitality information management from University of Delaware, a PhD in hospitality administration from UNLV and another PhD in tourism management from Istanbul University.

Demirciftci is an excel specialist and has his expert certificate approved by Microsoft Office. He has 22 years of experience in casinos (MGM-Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa), hotels (Marriott and Ritz-Carlton) and restaurants (Buddakan Atlantic City) in Bahrain, United States and Turkey.

In his free time, Demirciftci loves playing and watching basketball and soccer, horoscopes and riding his bike.

Curriculum Vitae

Selected Published Work

•Demirciftci, T., Belarmino, A., Chen, C.-C., & Cetin, G. (2021). Understanding the Gap between University Revenue Management Courses and the Job Market. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2020.1868318
Citation Metrics: 1.3 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.781 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.311

•Demirciftci, T., Chen, C. and Erdem, M. (2020). "A tabulation of information technology and consumer behavior in hospitality revenue management research", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 11(3), 575-587. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-02-2019-0018
Citation Metrics: 4.3 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 1.334 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.89

•Belarmino, A., Demirciftci, T. & Zhang, L. (2020). Online reviews and travel magazine awards: their influence on willingness-to-pay. Journal of Revenue & Pricing Management.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41272-020-00256-0
Citation Metrics: 1.4 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.696 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.373

•Belarmino, A., Raab, C.& Demirciftci, T. (2020). The impact of resort fees on perceived fairness and destination brand image: An exploratory study. Journal of Revenue & Pricing Management. Vol. 19, 129-137.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41272-019-00218-1
Citation Metrics: 1.4 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.696 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.373

•Ozgur Ozdemir, Ezgi Erkmen & Tevfik Demirciftci (2019). The effect of brand diversification on IPO returns: An examination of restaurant IPOs, Journal of Foodservice Business Research, Vol. 22(6),483-508,
https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2019.1653150
Citation Metrics: 1.8 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.618 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.338

• Emre Cengiz, Funda Cengiz, Tevfik Demirciftci & Cihan Cobanoglu (2018) Do food and beverage cost-control measures increase hotel performance? A case study in Istanbul, Turkey, Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 21(6), 610-627., https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2018.1493893
Citation Metrics: 1.8 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.618 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.338

•Demirciftci, T., Cetin, G. & Bilgihan (2017)., A. Coping with RM challenges in hospitality education. Journal of Revenue Pricing Management, 16, 499–512. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41272-017-0086-0
Citation Metrics: 1.4 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 0.696 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 0.373

•Cetin, G., Demirciftci, T., & Bilgihan, A. (2016). Meeting revenue management challenges: Knowledge, skills, and abilities. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 57, 132–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2016.06.008
Citation Metrics: 8.0 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 2.967 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 2.217

•Demirciftci, T., Cobanoglu, C., Beldona, S., & Cummings, P. R. (2010). Room rate parity analysis across different hotel distribution channels in the U.S. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 19(4), 295-308.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19368621003667010
Citation Metrics: 6.8 (2019) Scopus Cite Score, 1.741 (2019) SNIP, SJR (2019) 1.517

Sean DeVeau began his nursing career with an associate degree in nursing from Laramie County Community College, followed by his BSN and deviating from nursing to pursue his Juris Doctor before returning to nursing and completing his MSN.

DeVeau blends his 26 years of military service and his experience working in emergency, intensive care, med-surg, primary care and in leadership roles working with FQHC's and federal (Dept. of Veterans Affairs) work to guide students in the many facets of nursing practice.

Having extensive experience in the work of risk mitigation and compliance, his teaching style brings up not just the how of nursing, but tries to focus on the why in a way that makes students understand the importance of doing things right.

Kathy Diehl is a scholar, educator, administrator, and award-winning choreographer and dancer who began her professional career as a founding company member of Rochester City Ballet. She has danced with Bill Evans Dance Company, Present Tense Dance, Biodance and Anne Burnidge and Dancers. She has also performed in works by Larry Keigwin, Mariah Maloney, Marina Mascarell, Paul Selwyn Norton, Doug Varone, José Limón, Mark Morris and Heidi Latsky.

Diehl has choreographed works for several universities including guest artist residencies at University of Nebraska and Webster University. She has also presented work nationally and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, American Dance Guild Festival, WAXworks, RADfest, American College Dance Association, Rochester Contemporary Dance Collective, Body Mind Centering Conference, Fort Worth Contemporary Dance Festival, Somatic Dance Conference, and others. In March 2023 and 2019, Diehl's works "Shadows and Light" and "Inner Workings" were Gala selections during the ACDA Northwest Regional Conferences. Additionally, her work "Triangulation" received the top honor for choreography at the 2019 Body Logic Festival (an adjudicated showcase) in Salt Lake City, UT.

Diehl is a Certified Laban Movement Analyst (CLMA), a Certified Evans Teacher (CET) and a Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME) with additional certifications/trainings in the Franklin method, yoga, pilates and Shin Somatics. She is also a certified wellness coach and is passionate about dancer wellness and integrating somatic practices and concepts into dance pedagogy. Diehl is an active scholar, presenting her research in the areas of dance pedagogy, improvisation, performance, and somatics at various national and regional conferences. For additional information please visit her website at www.kathydiehl.com

Select Creative Works

New Horizons Dance Concert, Artistic Director, February 2023
Choreography works presented: "Shadows and Light" and "Lay My Burden Down"

Finding Joy Dance Concert, Artistic Director, April 2022
Choreography work presented: "Echoes"

American College Dance Association Northwest Regional Conference, March 2023. Presentation/performance: "Shadows and Light". Performed by two Colorado Mesa University dance majors. Selected for performance in the curated Gala Concert. Salt Lake City, UT

East West Somatics Conference: Exploring Shin Somatics Curriculum and Narratives, January 2023. Presentation/performance: "Unfolding". Solo semi-improvisational performance exploring the relationship between somatic practices, performance/creative practice, and performative writing. Zion, UT

Select Presentations

National Dance Education Organization Annual Conference, October 2022. Presentation: "Improvisation in Ballet: Disrupting tradition to create new inroads". Interactive workshop exploring various pedagogical strategies and applications to diverse settings. Atlanta, GA

Dance Studies Association, October 2022. Virtual presentation: "Somatic Ballet Pedagogy: Questioning traditions/Exploring possibilities"

Somatic Dance Conference and Performance Festival, July 2022. Presentation: "Improvisation in Ballet Class" Panel/presentation: "Oh Those Words: Language for Movement and Transformation" (presented with Marin Roper and Sarah Donohue). Geneva, NY

TED Talk, June 2022. "Moving to Connect": By Invitation. Interactive presentation focusing on somatic practices and concluding with an improvisational performance. Creative collaborators/performers: Laura Bradley, Kara Farmer, Cassidy Phillips. Grand Junction, CO

Select Publications

The Feminist Wire Books: Feminism, Race, and Social Justice. "Out of the Shadows" original poetry. Special Anthology: Who Belongs? Selected for publication in 2023

Dance Education in Practice "Collaborative Discoveries--Trust, Empathy, and Meaning" Special topics, Volume 6, Issue 2. 2020
https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/INYNTVSMKIJKSGPTRBZH/full?target=10.1080/23734833.2020.1751496

NDEO Behind the Curtain Blog: "The Possibilities of Somatic Ballet" Published October 10, 2020

Journal of Dance Education "The Mirror and Ballet Training--Do you know how much the mirror's presence is really affecting you?" April-June 2016, Volume 15, Number 2

Erin Donovan, EdD, began her career at CMU in the fall of 2018 but has been teaching full-time since 2016, in both graduate and undergraduate programs. Donovan was the recipient of the 2021 Nurse Educator Award for exemplifying the Spirit of Extraordinary Leadership in Nursing Education through the Nurse Educator Conference of the Rockies and is a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing. Prior to teaching full-time, she taught adjunct in Practical Nursing and BSN programs, while working full-time at a critical access hospital.

She believes inspiring and encouraging students will enhance learning and create an atmosphere where academic excellence, scholarship, and leadership will attribute to personal and professional growth. She also believes it is important to allow students an opportunity to take a role in their own learning; where students are able to utilize their own previous knowledge, experiences and current interests to facilitate learning opportunities for everyone.

At CMU, Donovan is teaching in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Her interests include research related to professional role socialization processes in the nursing curriculum in preparation for students' transition to practice, leadership and education.

When Donovan is not teaching, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, camping, spending time with her family and baking.

Erin Donovan, EdD | Curriculum Vitae

Published Work

Donovan, E. C. (2023). Civil Discourse as a Teaching Strategy in Nursing. Nurse Educator. https://doi.org/10.1097/nne.0000000000001552

Donovan, E. C. (2023, Winter). AACN Diversity Symposium Summary: The Journey Begins. AACN’s Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/diversity-digest-winter-2023-edition

Donovan, E. C. (2022, Summer). Respectful Conversations About Race: It is Not if, but When. AACN’s Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter. https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/News/View/ArticleId/25244/diversity-digest-summer-2022

Donovan, E. C., Holvoet, J. A., & Hall, K. (2022, March). Evaluation and quality improvement of DNP-FNP scholarly projects. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 34(3), 565-571. https://doi.org/10.1097/jxx.0000000000000668

Education 

PhD, Advanced Accounting: Northcentral University (Projected completion 2021) 
MS, Accounting: Southern New Hampshire University & Master Certificate 
BS, Accounting: Colorado Mesa University
AA, Accounting: Taft Community College, Taft California 

Biography 

Jo Dorman has achieved many goals in her accounting, finance and public service career. She continues to strive and add to her professionalism and knowledge to help benefit students seeking higher education. 

Dorman currently is working to earn a PhD in business with a focus on accounting. Her goal is to continue to learn more effective ways to teach. She believes that it's important to staying open-minded and realize you can always learn something new, from co-workers, students or a random person. To summarize, Alvin Toffler, author of the classic Future Shock, said: "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn". With this Dorman will examine her philosophies as learning continues to become more diverse and varied.

Dorman continues to support her community and has served on the Board of Trustees and as mayor pro tem for the Town of Collbran. She currently serves as the education and administrative manager and coordinator for the De Beque Plateau Valley Conservation District. She is the director of Western Co-Cure, a nonprofit that helps families with incarcerated loved ones to navigate the DOC. She also volunteers as a Girls on the Run coach and middle/high school cheer program coach. 

Jo Dorman's statement of teaching

Kate Dreiling, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University and went on to earn her PhD in sociology from South Dakota State University. A professor of criminal justice at Colorado Mesa University, Dreiling teaches Introduction to Criminal Justice, Orientation to Criminal Justice Inquiry, Corrections, Domestic Violence, Women and Crime, Criminology, Comparative Criminal Justice, Community Corrections, and Capital Punishment.

Dreiling enjoys bridging both the practical side of criminal justice and the theoretical side of sociology in her coursework. Her primary goals in the classroom are to not only prepare students for the criminal justice field, but to also prepare them for a diverse and ever changing world. She believes it is essential for future practitioners to understand how the criminal justice system both influences and is influenced by history, individuals, and society.

Dreiling has prior experience in the corrections field, primarily working with juveniles in a variety of settings from detention to community-based sex offender treatment. She is very active on campus and in the local community with the prevention of violence against women, specifically concerning sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

Education

PhD, Purdue University
BS, Central Michigan University

Biography

Lisa Driskell, PhD, completed her undergraduate work at Central Michigan University before going on to earn her doctoral degree from Purdue University. She teaches Calculus, Differential Equations and College Algebra. Driskell has done research on dynamical systems and cardiac electrophysiology. She is also the faculty advisor for the Math Club, which hosts Math Extravaganza each year.

Lynn Duncan obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State University in 1989 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a cognate in Education from Colorado Mesa University in December 2014. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation from Boise State University in June 2018.

She is married to a Registered Nurse and has two boys. In her free time she enjoys her family, church, knitting and quilting.

Megan Dunegan is a Certified Surgical Technologist as well as a Certified Surgical First Assistant. She has been scrubbing for ten years and assisting for two years. She loves working in the operating room! She finds it very exciting and interesting. She teaches fundamentals, surgical specialties, lab work and clinical practicum.

She encourages students to speak up in class if there is anything that needs clarification because she has high expectations for all of her students. Her overall goal is to help students master the material in a safe and fun learning environment so that when they take exams they are confident that they will do well. And most of all, she wants to make sure students are comfortable with their skills when they reach the operating room. She believes that is the most important thing she can do as a leader and instructor.

She is excited to be working with the students and being a part of the CMU family. 

Besides her passion for teaching and surgery, she also loves to mountain bike, go hiking and hang out with her dogs (also, cat, chickens and rabbits). She loves to be with her family and traveling.

Jude Edeigba, PhD, is an accomplished lecturer and researcher with expertise in accounting and other business-related disciplines. He has taught at different institutions in New Zealand, with experience teaching foundation, intermediate, and advanced accounting courses and supervising postgraduate theses and industry research projects at various institutions. Before joining Colorado Mesa University as an Assistant Professor of Accounting, he was a tenured faculty at Massey University and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, which are some of the largest tertiary education institutions in New Zealand. His experience is also grounded in practical accounting, having worked in an accounting role at Geneva Healthcare in Auckland before returning to academia.

Edeigba's research interests include international accounting, corporate accountability and transparency, accounting for managerial performance and accounting education. He is an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Accounting and Financial Reporting and a member of the Elsevier Advisory Panel, where he lends his expertise in the accounting field. His contributions have made him a distinguished scholar with an international accolade of experience. Edeigba brings his technology skills into accounting, making his pedagogy and scholarship the most contemporary education that prepares students for an evolving accounting career; while also supporting businesses, government departments, and other non-profit organizations' decision-making through outstanding research publications and industry-specific projects

Selected Published Work

Journals
Edeigba, J. (2022). Employers’ expectations of accounting skills from vocational education providers: The expectation gap between employers and ITPs. International Journal of Management Education. 20(3)

Edeigba, J., & Deepica, S. (2021). Nonfinancial Resource Management: A Qualitative Study of Retention and Engagement in Not-for-profit Community Fund Management Organisation. Asia Pacific Management Review.
[Journal article]Authored by: Edeigba, J.

Edeigba, J., & Arasanmi, CN. (2021). An Empirical Analysis of SMEs’ Triple Bottom Line Practices. Journal of Accounting and Organizational Change.

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Amenkhienan, F. (2020). The influence of cultural diversity on the convergence of IFRS: evidence from Nigeria IFRS implementation. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting. 55(1), 105-121

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Felix, A. (2020). The influence of cultural diversity on the convergence of IFRS: evidence from Nigeria IFRS implementation. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting. 55(1), 105-121 Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11156-019-00837-0

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Felix, A. (2018). The effects of organisational culture on IFRS adoption: Evidence from Nigerian' companies. International Journal of Accounting and Financial Reporting. 8(1), 198-220 Retrieved from https://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/ijafr/article/view/12713

Edeigba, J., & Felix, A. (2017). The influence of IFRS adoption on corporate transparency and accountability: Evidence from New Zealand. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal. Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/aabfj/vol11/iss3/2/

Books
Ozili, PK., Uadiale, O., & Edeigba, J. (2023). The 2018 Revised Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance: An Academic Response and Lessons for Africa. In Addressing Corporate Scandals and Transgressions Through Governance and Social Responsibility. : IGI Global

Conferences
Edeigba, J. (2022, July). Board Composition and Sustainability Disclosure in the Oil and Gas Industry. Presented at Aotearoa Business School Conference

Koval, O., Kan, KAS., & Edeigba, J. (2021, November). Balancing Soft and Hard Management Control Practices for Effective Strategic Management Accounting Initiatives. Presented by Konan Anderson Seny Kan. Presented at Performance Measurement Association of Australasia Conference (PMAA). Queenstown Resort College, 7 Coronation Drive, Queenstown.

Koval, O., Kan, KAS., & Edeigba, J. (2021, November). Balancing Soft and Hard Management Control Practices for Effective Strategic Management Accounting Initiatives. Presented by Edeigba, Jude. Presented at New Zealand Management Accounting Conference (NZMAC). The Queenstown Resort College, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Edeigba, J., Gyapong, E., & Ahmad, F.(2021, April). Does IAS 12 adoption reduce the GAP associated with accounting and tax regulations. .

Edeigba, J. (2020, December). Employers’ Accounting Skills Expectations: The Case of Vocational Education Providers. Presented at Auckland Region Accounting (ARA) Conference. Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

Amenkhienan, F., Edeigba, J., & Gan, C. (2019, April). Implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards: A Perspective of Nigerian Companies’ Experiences. Presented at American Accounting Association Southeast Regional Conference, Table 5. Savannah, Georgia, United States.

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Amenkhienan, F. (2019, February). Development of International Accounting Standards: The Future Divergence in International Accounting Practice. Presented at The 23rd New Zealand Finance Colloquium. Lincoln University, Christchurch New Zealand.

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Amenkhienan, F. (2015, December). Companies Attitudes towards International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption. Presented at World Business, Finance and Management Conference. Rendezvous Grand Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand.

Edeigba, J., Gan, C., & Amenkhienan, F. (2015, November). An Investigation of the Challenges in International Accounting Standards Implementation. Presented at Lincoln University Postgraduate Conference. Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Edeigba, J.An Investigation of the Challenges in International Accounting Standards Implementation. . Christchurch, New Zealand

Jacob Eikenberry is an Assistant Professor for the Master of Social Work program at Colorado Mesa University. Previously, Eikenberry served as the Director of Research and Evaluation at the national non-profit “From Prison to Professionals.”

Beginning in his youth, Eikenberry experienced mental health and substance use issues, homelessness, incarceration in several jails and prisons, and the exacerbation of trauma following each period of incarceration. In 2009, he embraced healing through engagement with mentorship and multiple community-based resources. The following year, Eikenberry enrolled in a community college. The extensive peer support he received while pursuing stability and college was pivotal in his life.

Over the previous 13 years, Eikenberry has worked in various social work roles, including researcher, instructor, residential counselor, advocate, coalition builder, and community consultant and collaborator. He has worked with individuals and communities, non-profit agencies, prison education programs, drug treatment courts, state prosecutors’ offices, law enforcement and first responders, and jail/prison administrators. Eikenberry's lived experience guides his scholarship, practice, and approach to equity and teaching. He uses his lived experience and knowledge to spearhead innovative research and help prepare master’s Social Workers to move toward creating a socially just society. Eikenberry holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Illinois in Springfield and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at St. Louis University. Eikenberry currently teaches Advanced Macro SW Practice, and Human Behavior in the Social Environment while supervising generalist foundation practicum students.

Eikenberry's philosophy of teaching is rooted in the creation of an environment conducive to the exploration and actualization of each student’s personal and professional potential. His classrooms are a space where student ideas are welcome, encouraged, developed, explored, analyzed, and refined through critical thinking, reflection, and the application of tools learned. Eikenberry champions and provides materials that illustrate a variety of diverse thoughts, experiences, and knowledge as this helps individuals and cohorts of students expand and grow through seeing issues, problems, and solutions from multiple perspectives. He has found social work students to be full of passion and incredible ideas about promoting social justice, addressing systemic oppression, and working with individuals, communities, and organizations. Eikenberry's goal is to wholly encourage their passion and ideas while helping to refine, encourage and direct their work toward meaningful and actionable thought, dialogue, and research that influences their micro, mezzo, and macro practice approaches. He assesses learning by looking at the student’s capacity to utilize items learned in classes in real-world situations.

Jacob Eikenberry's Curriculum Vitae

Rachel Eisfelder teaches Wellness and Occupational Performance and Psychosocial Practice. Eisfelder is also responsible for the fieldwork placement and seminar courses for both Level I and Level II experiences. As an educator, encouraging learners through experiences, assisting in developing professional identity and challenging students to grow into exceptional practitioners is important to her. Eisfelder's scholarly interests are in exploring occupational therapy in relation to mental health, learner readiness for clinical experiences and professional development within the profession.

Curriculum Vitae

Eric Elliott grew up in Alaska and moved to Grand Junction from Seattle, Washington. He mainly teaches painting classes, but also teaches figure drawing, foundation drawing and 2D Design. For Elliott, teaching art is all about exposure and exploration. In order to expand and grow as artists, students need to be exposed to the principles of art, art history, contemporary approaches to art making, and subjects outside the realm of art. Then through exploration, every art student must find the marks, colors, forms and subjects that best express what is important to them so that they can then find their own voice as an artist.

As an artist, Elliott primarily works in oil paint, charcoal and ink. In his work, he uses the objects that surround him as a point of departure and their structures become frameworks upon which he can play with explorations of paint, form, association, space, light, atmosphere, unification and dissolution.

In 2020, Elliott received a Colorado Department of Education OER grant. He completed a year-long art residency at the Jerusalem Studio School, Israel in 2014. He was the 2009 winner of the Behnke Foundation's Neddy Artist Fellowship, received the Seattle Art Museum's 2008 Kayla Skinner Special Recognition Award and was in the 2009 Northwest Biennial at the Tacoma Art Museum. He is represented by Dwell Fine Art in Virginia.

Visit Eric Elliott's website

Education

MPH, University of Northern Colorado
BSN, Colorado Mesa University
BS, Human Performance and Wellness: Colorado Mesa University

Biography

Kristy Emerson received her bachelor's degree in human performance and wellness with an emphasis in exercise science from CMU. She then went on to complete her Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis in Community Health Education from the University of Northern Colorado. After working in local public health for 13 years, she returned to CMU. Emerson completed the BSN program at CMU and works as an RN at St. Mary's Hospital and St. Mary’s Family Medicine. In addition to teaching full-time for the nursing program this academic year, she continues to teach for the Kinesiology Department which she has been doing for the past seven years. 

Emerson prefers to take a "real-world" approach when teaching. She challenges students to not only learn course content, but to also apply the knowledge to scenarios they may encounter when working as professionals. She enjoys using a wide range of teaching styles to ensure she meets everyone's learning style. Kristy prides herself on having very high standards for her students and being fully available to assist them in learning and in life.

Emerson is married and has a son and daughter in elementary school. She enjoys running, camping, hiking and reading.

Timothy Emmons is an instructor of jazz bands; lecturer of history of popular music, music in world cultures, music and human communication and beginning jazz improvisation; and is the director of commercial music combos. He is also a member of the bass section of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra.

He is an active freelance musician in Los Angeles, California and a veteran of more than 300 film, record and television scores including Mission: Impossible III and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol , Super 8, Cars 2, John Carter, the 2010 Winter Olympics, Up, Star Trek XI: The Undiscovered Country, The Tale of Despereaux, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Ratatouille, The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Incredibles, The Day After Tomorrow, Something's Gotta Give and The Wedding Planner.

He has played in the pit and on stage for dozens of major theatrical productions including Curtains, Swing, Candide, Swan Lake and Ragtime. Gamers can hear him on the low end of the soundtracks of Fall of Liberty, Splinter Cell, Halo, Call of Duty, Jumper, Assassin's Creed II and Bioshock2.

An eclectic musician, Emmons has played Contrabass on recordings for Stevie Wonder and Beyonce, Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, Justin Timberlake, Michael Buble, Kenny G, Andrea Boccelli, young opera phenomenon Jackie Evancho, as well as Katherine Jenkins and Paul Potts and pop singers Rufus Wainright, Brandy, John Tesh, Celine Dion and Toni Braxton.

He has performed live with a diverse array of artists including Natalie Cole; jazz guitar virtuoso Joe Pass; rhythm and blues pioneer Bo Diddley, master jazz saxophonist Art Pepper; Motown artists Mary Wells and Martha Reeves; swing-era staples Lionel Hampton and the Glenn Miller orchestra; British Invasion stalwarts Ian Whitcomb and Peter Noone; musical theater diva Liza Minelli; blues mistress Linda Hopkins; disco queen Donna Summer; Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney; Broadway icons Carol Channing, Shirley Jones and John Raitt; rock veteran Rod Stewart; Harlem Renaissance dance titans The Nicolas Brothers and scat-singing innovator Cab Calloway.

Emmons is a dedicated music educator and is on the faculty of Occidental College in Los Angeles where he conducts, and arranges for, the Jazz Ensemble. He also teaches Electric Bass Guitar and Double Bass at OXY. In 2010 he was hired to teach college level Theory and Counterpoint at Musician's Institute Hollywood. He also wrote curriculum for his Odd Meter Basslines class at MI. Emmons is also involved in education as an adjunct faculty member at the The University of Redlands, where he is co-principal bass with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of California Riverside, Cal State University Los Angeles, Azusa Pacific University.

Tim is the author of Odd Meter Bass, a book/CD bass method published by Alfred Music. He is co-author, along with Fred Sokolow, of Fretboard Roadmaps, published by Hal Leonard Music. He is a contributor to The Funkmasters: The Rhythm Sections of James Brown and has written articles for Bass Player magazine.

A chance call to research a bass line in a music copyright lawsuit involving the movie Ghostbusters opened the door to work in forensic music research. Tim has been an expert witness and consultant on more than three dozen copyright violation cases involving major recording artists such as Taylor Swift, Janet Jackson, Greenday, Mariah Carey, Rascal Flatts, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Billy Joel, Gotye and Babyface, as well as Pope John XXIII. He has also researched musical issues and written reports and depositions on songs used in the movies Ghostbusters II, Iron Eagle, St. Elmo's Fire, Top Gun and The Doctors.

Selected Published Work

Author of "Odd Meter Bass" published by Alfred Music.

Co-author of "Fretboard Roadmaps for Bass Guitar" and contributor to "The Funkmasters, The Rhythm Sections of James Brown" published by Alfred Music. 

Jerred Endsley teaches various courses on evidence-based social work interventions with an emphasis on mindfulness, compassion, and equanimity. He believes in creating a non-judgmental experiential learning environment informed by principles of shared humanity, mindful presence, and kindness. Endsley has a daily personal meditation practice, enjoys nature-based activities, fitness, and even used to perform parkour/gymnastics on a national level.

After obtaining his MSW, he was awarded a 2 year Post-Graduate Clinical Fellowship in the Application of Empirically Supported Treatments for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness with Harvard Medical School Affiliate Massachusetts Mental Health Center. Next, he transitioned into a full-time position with the same institution supervising, teaching, and providing psychotherapy. During this time, he was also working part-time researching the application of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for early psychosis with Beth Israel’s Harvard Psychiatry program. After three years, Endsley moved to Colorado where he worked with incarcerated youth and private practice. After five years as the Local Recovery Coordinator with VA Western Colorado Healthcare System, he transitioned into the Mavily.

Biography 

Lorrie has worked in surgery for her entire 25 year career. She obtained her certification in Surgical Technology in 1991 and has renewed every 4 years to current. In 2001, she obtained her Certificate in Surgical First Assisting and has maintained to current.  

Lorrie will teaches safety in the operating room, and surgical practicum I, II and III. The third practicum will be in a clinical setting at various facilities with scrubbing in on actual surgical procedures.

She is a member of the Association of Surgical Technology/AST and Association of Surgical Assistants/ASA.

Outside of work her interests include camping and skiing. 

Biography

Juliet Evans holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Colorado Mesa University and is working towards a Master of Science in Advanced Practical Nursing. Evans is Clinical Education Center Assistant, as well as a clinical instructor with the BSN Level II students. Besides working at Colorado Mesa University, Evans also works as an RN on the medical-surgical floor at St. Mary's Hospital. In her free time she is an avid reader and enjoys gardening, camping, hiking and biking.

Kathryn Mientka Farruggia performed internationally to critical acclaim as the pianist in the Mientka Duo, which she and her late husband, Tyme Mientka co-founded in 1983. The Duo gave concerts for 20 years in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA, where they were featured nationally on radio and television, including National Public Radio's Performance Today, and in 1995 they were featured on PBS television in an hour-long documentary, “Almost Famous: the Mientka Duo”, which was submitted by PBS for an Emmy.

Relocating to Colorado, from 1999 to 2004 Kathryn and Tyme founded and directed the Western Slope Concert Series, an after-school music and dance conservatory, a youth orchestra and a youth choir. Kathryn is a founding member, pianist and music arranger in the cross-over Celtic band FEAST, which has toured nationally and was featured on PBS.

Her special crusade is promoting the DS 5.5 narrow-keys keyboard, made by David Steinbuhler especially for small hands. In 2019 she presented a lecture-demonstration on the narrow keyboard at NAU in Flagstaff, for the ASMTA. In 2021 she performed a series of three piano recitals on the DS 5.5 at the Homestake Opera House in Lead, SD. In December 2022, Kathryn and her late husband Charles Farruggia opened “Farruggia’s Music and Supper Club” in Mountain View, Arkansas, offering Italian cuisine followed by a show featuring Kathryn (piano) and Charles (baritone). Kathryn is now living in Grand Junction and teaching music at Colorado Mesa University.

Cathy Feller received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maine and went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. Feller's courses include Pharmacology, Medical Surgical Nursing, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing and Medical Surgical Clinicals. She teaches at both the Montrose and Grand Junction campuses, and has been teaching full-time in the LPN to RN program since 2008. She also works in Critical Care at St. Mary's Hospital.

An Associate Professor of Geology, Fenton teaches Applied Geochemistry, Climate Change Science, Computer Applications in Geology, Introduction to Physical Geology (Field Based and Lecture Based), Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory (Field Based and Lecture Based), Geology of Colorado, and Weather and Climate.

Fenton tackles Earth-surface field problems with her ‘toolbox’ of geochemical, geochronological, and geospatial-analysis techniques and through collaborations with students and colleagues. Whenever possible, she teaches students through hands-on field studies, which complement her classroom lectures.

Fenton has experience teaching and mentoring at both smaller liberal arts schools and larger research institutions. She has mentored students in field-based projects based in the western United States, Norway, and Argentina.

Fenton is currently the principal investigator on the SPICE project, a field- and laboratory-based research project on a 70,000 year-old lava flow in northern Arizona. The SPICE project is helping to refine the production rates of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides. Cosmogenic nuclides are used extensively to study the timing and rates of landscape evolution related both to climate change and tectonics. Fenton is also collaborating with Dr. David Marchetti (Western Colorado University) using stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes to research latitudinal and altitudinal effects on sources of precipitation on the western slope of Colorado.

Lori Ferguson oversees the online RN to BSN program. She also teaches pharmacology II for the bachelor's degree nursing program.

Ferguson knew that she wanted to do education for nursing from the time she was in nursing school and worked as a tutor for her classmates. She loves trying new ways of engaging students in the classroom including case studies, role play, flipped classroom and interactive questioning. She has focused her nursing education career on ensuring nursing students and new graduate nurses are mentored and precepted into the profession.

Her research interest is transition of new nurses from academia to practice. When not teaching, she can be found somewhere in the mountains, usually with a camera in her hands.

Education

MS, Ruhr University Bochum
BS, Colorado Mesa University

Biography

Marc Fisher received his Bachelor of Science from Colorado Mesa University and went on to earn a Master of Science from the prestigious Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.

Gisela Flanigan, PhD has performed internationally in Europe and the Americas — most notably with the Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar — at festivals in France, Italy and, in Venezuela at the request of their legendary El Sistema program. She studied at University of Miami with Rosalina Sackstein, a disciple of Claudio Arrau, and is therefore able to trace her musical lineage back through Franz Liszt to Ludwig van Beethoven himself.

She earned Bachelor and Master's degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Miami and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas. Flaniganpreviously served as faculty at Drake University, Grinnell College, Bowling Green State University, Heidelberg University and the Barry Tuckwell Institute. She has presented Guest Artist recitals at DePaul University, Drake University, recitals in Venezuela at the University Institute of Musical Study (IUDEM) and Simon Bolivar National Music Conservatory, master-classes, lecture-recitals on behalf of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Educational Department and adjudications for the Music Teachers National Association.

Deeply committed to social change she is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of MusicSpark, an El Sistema-inspired music program for underserved children, Executive Director of Sistema Global and a member of the International Music Education Policy Group. She has been invited to review grants for the National Endowment for the Arts, Colorado Creative Industries and her local arts commission. She regularly speaks at national and international conferences for organizations such as The Sphinx Connect, College Music Society and The Music, Business, and Peace Summit at Indiana University.

Flanigan has more than 30 years of professional performing and teaching experience. Each student brings a different level of skill and experience to their piano study. She believes a flexible approach to problem-solving and building a goal oriented practice strategy is best. This allows each student to develop a healthy feeling of forward progress each semester.

As a creative artist, trombone soloist, conductor and teacher in the classical, jazz and commercial genres, Sean Flanigan, DMA, is the director of music entrepreneurship studies at Colorado Mesa University. Flanigan has appeared as both a featured trombone soloist and guest conductor throughout the United States and abroad. He has presented solo recitals and clinics in South America at the National Conservatory in Caracas, Venezuela, and as featured guest artist (along with the Empire Brass and Jacques Mauger of the Paris Conservatory) at El Sistema’s Ibero-American Brass Festival in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Flanigan has been invited numerous times to return to Venezuela to perform, conduct and teach for El Sistema, their world-famous orchestral training system. He has performed with numerous symphonic and opera orchestras, backed such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Urbie Green, the Temptations, Johnny Mathis, Jack Jones; recorded for television, radio and commercial CDs; and performed for numerous touring Broadway shows.

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas, where he was a student of Vern Kagarice, and Master of Music and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign where he studied with Robert Gray. As a performing artist for Conn-Selmer, Inc., he performs on Bach 16M and Conn 88H SGX trombones exclusively.

Flanigan has a deep commitment to and passion for arts entrepreneurship, community building, collective impact and creative placemaking. At CMU, he teaches in the area of arts entrepreneurship. In developing courses such as Music Industry & Marketing and Entrepreneurship for Creatives, he is a strong believer in experiential learning, providing contemporary, real-world opportunities for students across the campus. As a coach for the CMU student elevator pitches, he has helped them win awards at the College Entrepreneurs Organization National Elevator Pitch Competition as well as the CMU Entrepreneurship Day competition.

Recognized as a creative innovator, Flanigan has given presentations on experiential learning and 21st century music entrepreneurship for both the College Music Society Summit on 21st Century Music School Design and its national conferences, and Colorado Creative Industries state conference. He most recently was invited to present at the Self Employment in the Arts Conference.

As a social entrepreneur, Flanigan is co-founder and artistic director of MusicSpark, a non-profit venture inspired by El Sistema, a world-wide visionary music education movement creating social change throughout the world. Acting on his strong belief in community development, he was a founding member of the Grand Valley Creative Alliance, a non-profit organization formed to promote and collaborate in the development of western Colorado’s creative economy.

Jennifer Fortuna, PhD, is an occupational therapist and assistant professor in the Occupational Therapy Program. Fortuna has clinical experience in pediatrics, visual-motor rehabilitation and home care. Her research interests include health literacy, visual impairment and accessibility in community settings.

Fortuna has peer-reviewed publications in national and international scholarly journals. She has presented at regional, national and international conferences. Fortuna serves as the art editor at the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT) and is an instructor and regular contributor at MedBridge Education.

Curriculum Vitae

LinkedIn

Research Gate

Education

MBA, Western State Colorado University 

Biography

Craig Fossett received his Bachelor of Business of Business Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, Missouri in 1975. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Western State Colorado University in 1989. He also earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA); Certified Management Accountant (CMA); Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE); Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and the Certified Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

Craig is an Assistant Professor of Accounting and specializes in financial accounting and taxation. He serves as the Advisor for the Accounting Club and supervises a Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) in the spring. He is the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) and serves on the South Central Regional Advisory Committee for Men's Soccer. 

Maria Fotopoulos was once a person who was afraid to communicate with others. For this reason, Fotopoulos is empathetic to people's struggles in feeling comfortable in communicating with others, and works to give them strategies to become better communicators. 

Fotopoulos' teaching philosophy is to Create, Inspire, and Succeed.

Create: Fotopoulos creates a positive, supportive climate of safety and non-judgment through the reciprocation of mutual respect, acceptance, and following the Golden Rule in the classroom.

Inspire: Fotopoulos inspires students to reach their full potential by systematically accomplishing the classroom goals and gaining communication skills (through assignments, discussions, projects, and activities) and applying these skills in their everyday lives by taking responsibility of their communication choices to bring about mutual positive outcomes through all communication channels.

Success: Students will be the best they can be and achieve success throughout their lives through an awareness of how they communicate with others, internal locus of control of the value of right communication choices with others, and implementation of these effective communication choices to benefit themselves, other individuals, and society as a whole.

Connect with Maria Fotopoulos on LinkedIn

Jeremy R. Franklin is Director of Musical Theatre at Colorado Mesa University. Originally from Arkansas, he completed a BM in vocal performance at Ouachita Baptist University before beginning his career as a professional actor, director and music director across the country. Thirteen years ago, he ventured into Grand Junction for a three-month acting contract with the Cabaret Dinner Theatre and never left. For five years, he administrated and directed the Cabaret Academy of Performing Arts while music directing and performing in productions like Beauty and the Beast, Seussical the Musical, and My Fair Lady. He also worked as a staging and installation director for PGT Entertainment, producing revue shows and booking musicals for Regent Seven Seas Cruiseline.

For the past eight years, he has been a member of CMU's theatre faculty. During his time at Mesa, he created the current musical theatre curriculum, which was recently approved to become a BFA professional program and awaits final approval by the Board of Trustees later this winter. His directorial credits while at CMU include Brigadoon, Oklahoma!, The Fantasticks and Rent. He has also musical directed main stage musicals including The Drowsy Chaperone, The Pirates of Penzance, Crazy for You and Legally Blonde.

Franklin is the founding artistic director for the Mesa Repertory Theatre - CMU's semi-professional, summer festival that produces three shows (a play, a musical and theatre for young audiences) in repertory during the month of June. An avid promoter of new works, he has directed regional premieres of Altar Boyz, Avenue Q and Ordinary Days. In 2010, he directed the premiere of a new opera, Billy Blythe by Bonnie Montgomery, based on a story from former President Bill Clinton's childhood. A dabbler in composition, he has written and arranged scores for five children's musicals and several choral works. He is currently working on a setting of The Last Matinee by local poet
John Nizalowski.

Franklin is an active member of the community. Most recently, he was the artistic director for the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra's production of The Nutcracker. He is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Music Theatre Educators Alliance.

Education

EdD, Northern Arizona University
MA, Northern Arizona University
BA, University of California

Biography

Lisa Friel, EdD, is a Professor and Elementary Licensure Coordinator for Colorado Mesa University's Center for Teacher Education (CTE). Friel was a K-12 educator for thirteen years in Hawaii, Ohio and Arizona before joining CTE in 1998.

She currently teaches elementary pedagogy, math methods and assessment courses. Her research interests include how children learn mathematics and standards-based assessment in K-12 and higher education. Lisa earned her BA in Business Economics and Teacher Certification from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and her MA in Early Childhood Education and EdD in Curriculum Instruction - Elementary Math Education from Northern Arizona University.

Keith R. Fritz received his Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Oregon State University and went on to earn both his Master of Science and PhD in exercise science from the University of New Mexico. While at Oregon State, he participated in a yearlong internship at the Boeing Company's Physiology Laboratory working in the Executive Fitness Program. As a student at the University of New Mexico, Fritz was a graduate assistant, teaching a wide range of activity courses, and worked at Sandia National Laboratories as an exercise physiologist - spending countless hours working in the university's Human Performance Lab.

Fritz teaches Creative Play, Dance and Gymnastic, Lifetime Physical Education, Motor Learning, Physical Activity and Health in the Classroom, Health and Wellness, and Mountain Biking. As an educator, he feels that it is important to make the material relevant to the students. He does this by connecting the material to practical applications. In most of his classes, students are exposed to lecture, small group work, various technology, discussion and question/answer periods. He tries to keep the learning environment comfortable and conducive to student participation.

Keith Fritz's curriculum vitae

Sean Gallagher, PhD, is a historian of slavery and race in the United States. His forthcoming manuscript focuses on enslaved people owned by state governments during the American Revolution and how their labor and resistance at public works shaped the politics of slavery in the new nation. Gallagher has also published on the ways enslaved runaways contributed to the formation of the "refugee" as a category in international law.

He strives to foster a collaborative environment in his classrooms where students work together to interpret historical documents. Gallagher encourages students to think about History as a method for giving meaning to the past and context to our present.

Curriculum Vitae

At CMU, Ganss supports the CMU/CU Boulder Engineering Partnership Program, including areas of academic advising, curriculum updates, graduation checks, faculty engagement, student recruitment, alumni/industry outreach and connections with departments in Boulder.

As a first-generation college student, growing up in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado shaped Ganss' passion for rural places as well as her outlook on education. Her research interests surround the experiences of students from small towns in higher education environments and she has published many articles on this subject.

Her experiences in higher education span multiple areas of student support services including admissions/recruitment, orientation/first-year experience programming, pre-health advising, honors programs, engineering education, transfer student support and university partnerships.

Ganss also has substantial experience with grant writing, in particular with successful HRSA grants related to the opiod overdose crisis in rural America.

In her free time, Ganss enjoys trail running, hiking, discovering new places in Colorado, crafting, eating delicious food and spending time with family.

Karen Ganss' Curriculum Vitae

Selected Published Work

Ganss, K. M., McNamee, T., & Islam, S. (2022, June 21). Book Review. Higher education access and success of rural students: Ensuring college-going advice is relevant to rural populations. [Review of Rural America’s pathway to college and career: Steps for student success and school improvement, by R. Dalton]. Theory and Practice in Rural Education, 12(1), pp. 133-137. doi: 10.3776/tpre.2022.v12n1p133-137.

McNamee, T., Willis, J., Ganss, K. M., Ardoin, S., & Sansone, V. (2020). Don’t forget about rural higher education students: Addressing digital inequities during COVID-19. Diverse Issues in Higher Education. https://diverseeducation.com/article/176117/.

Ganss, K. M. (2018). Advising rural students to become rural healthcare providers. The Advisor, 38(1), 25-28.

Ganss, K. M. (2016) The college transition for first-year students from rural Oregon communities. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 53(3), 269-280.
doi: 10.1080/19496591.2016.1157487

Ganss, K. M. (2015). [Review of the book Learning the Hard Way: Masculinity, Place, and the Gender Gap in Education, by E. W. Morris]. Rural Sociology, 80(3), 387-389. doi:10.1111/ruso.12074

Ganss, K. M. & Baker, L. (2015). Utilizing critical service-learning to ease college transitions. Currents in Teaching and Learning, 7(1), 131-142.

Ast, K. M. (2014). Small town, not small time: Understanding the experiences of rural students. The
Journal of College Orientation and Transition, 21(2), 66-69.
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6683-5711

Suzie Garner is a Professor of Art and Design here at Colorado Mesa University. She arrived here in 1994 and developed the baccalaureate program in graphic design. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce recognized her teaching accomplishments in 2000 with the Educator of the Year Award. Recently, she has taken students on trips abroad to the France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

As a practicing studio artist, she is an avid sketchbook artist and graphic designer. She was awarded a sabbatical in 2006 and studied in Italy, developing a sketchbook course for the university. In 2017, she completed an Artist Residency in Yellowstone National Park at the Yellowstone Art and Photography Center in the Old Faithful Historical Area.

In order to share her love of the parks and art, she has taught watercolor workshops in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, the Colorado National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Park and in Yellowstone National Park.

Garner's personal artwork has been exhibited throughout Colorado where she lives and nationally in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Wyoming. Her sketchbook work has been published in a variety of publications and when she is not teaching, she pursues her passion for the outdoors and continues to spend summers sketching and hiking in Yellowstone National Park.

Education

MBA, Business Administration: University of Indianapolis
Post MBA graduate certification: Global Supply Chain Management and International Finance: University of Indianapolis- Athens, Greece
BS, English-Bible: Cincinnati Christian University

Biography

Gastineau's family owned an auto dealership, so from an early age he honed his business skills and philosophy working in the family business.

He went on to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds in the collegiate prison system and an inner-city community college.

Gastineau's teaching style focuses on relationship building and a positive engagement between himself, students, the subject matter and Colorado Mesa University. By building trust and instilling confidence Gastineau makes the learning process a lifetime goal from every part of the academic discipline be it instruction or assessment.

Business ethics in the fields of human resources, finance and global trade are also a scholarly interest of Gastineau.

Alicia Geary received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Colorado Mesa University in 2013. She went on to practice as a registered nurse at Montrose Memorial hospital for eight years. She decided to return to school and pursue her MSN-FNP degree from Samuel Merritt University and graduated with this degree in 2020.

Currently, she practices as a virtual, tele-health NP providing primary care. She was initially hired to teach for CMU in 2019 and loved teaching so much that she never left. She works for the Montrose Campus teaching for the LPN program as well as the LPN-BSN program.

In the classroom, she tries to encourage her students to think through the subject matter critically, not only focusing on the next test that is needing to be passed, but more so on the bigger goal of being a caring, supportive nurse.

When not teaching or seeing patients, you can find Geary hanging out with her family. They love being outside golfing, kayaking and riding the side-by-side together.

Education

PhD, Texas Tech University

MA, Texas Tech University

BA, Texas Tech University

Biography

Barbara Geiger, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in English and political science from Texas Tech University and went on to earn both her Master of Arts and PhD in English at Texas Tech University as well. Her courses include British Renaissance Literature, British Romantic Literature, British Literature Survey, World Literature Survey, First-Year and Advanced Composition, Introduction to Technical Communication, Writing Center and Computer Assisted Instruction.

Education

Biography

TJ Gerlach, PhD, received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Utah and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Denver. His work has appeared in The Wisconsin Review, Press, Literal Latte and The Review of Contemporary Fiction, among other places. His academic interests include creative writing, narrative theory, Modernism, Postmodernism and the history of the novel. He teaches composition, literature, and creative writing. He has had stories and reviews published in numerous journals and is the author of Camouflage (Lithic).

Published Works

Camouflage (Lithic)

Ann Gillies, PhD, has over 21 years of teaching experience at the elementary level with students with a variety of disability labels, high and low incidence. She is a strong advocate of inclusive education for all students. She is a nationally board certified teacher and has taught in Ohio, Florida and Colorado.

Dr. Gillies is the faculty advisor for the CMU Council for Exceptional Children Student Chapter and is actively involved with many local non-profit agencies that serve people with and without disabilities. Her interests include Teacher Education for inclusion, listening to the voices of children, international perspectives on disability, experiential learning and teaching to diversity.

Sue K. Goebel has dedicated her life to the art and science of nursing. With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and more than 30 years as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Goebel combines practical expertise with a passion for education. She brings the profession to life in the classroom, inspiring future generations of nurses with her knowledge, compassion and real-world insights. Her enduring love for nursing reflects a mutual relationship of service and growth, as she continues to embody the core values of care and dedication.

Along with her teaching as a tenured faculty member, she currently practices as a nurse practitioner at an integrative medicine center, and as a sexual assault nurse examnuer (SANE) for western Colorado. Her ongoing clinical practice as an NP and a SANE provide a rich source of currency in the BSN program's core competencies of assessment, communication, technical skills and critical thinking classroom; the shared experiences of her clinical practice bring nursing to life in the classroom.

Goebel's nursing has always had at its center an appreciation for holistic nursing being able to combine homeopathic, integrative practices with traditional allopathic medicine. Her special interests include sexuality, caring as a science and working with vulnerable populations. Particularly rewarding to her is being able to touch the future by helping student nurses learn how to learn; to be able to take information and make it their very own knowledge as they prepare to practice as professional nurses.

Her professional memberships include National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Reproductive Health, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Beyond her professional achievements, Goebel treasures the outdoors, enjoys reading and is an avid pickleball player. A lover of all God's creatures, great and small, she finds joy and balance in the natural world and its wonders.

Selected Publications

Chapter 17 Reproductive System and the Perineum in Wilson, S. and Giddens, J. (2022) Health Assessment for Nursing Practice (7th Ed) Elsevier: USA.

Chapter 20 Assessment of the Pregnant Patient in Wilson and Giddens (2022) Health Assessment for Nursing Practice (7th Ed) Elsevier: USA

Chapter 21 Sexuality in Giddens, JF (2022) Concepts for Nursing Practice (3rd Ed) Elsevier: USA.

Service Work

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner - Mesa County and surrounding area

Justin Gollob, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Idaho State University and went on to earn his Master of Arts and PhD in Political Science from Temple University. A professor of political science, Gollob teaches American Government, The Legislative Process, Public and Elite Political Behavior, State and Local Government and The American Presidency. Gollob also serves as the coordinator for the political science program's internship program.

His goals in the classroom are to create both informed consumers of politics and effective producers of political information. On the consumer side, Gollob works to demonstrate the hidden logic of American politics. On the producer side, he works to develop his students' research skills by advising their research and involving them in his own research.

Gollob's research focuses on issues related to state and local government, legislatures, public policy, elections, federalism and public land management.

Renee Good, PhD, teaches courses that include anatomy and physiology, bioethics and introductory biology laboratories. She actively engages her students by providing topic relevance to everyday life, promotes open discussion to further understanding and provides materials to support a variety of learning styles.

Nicole Gouin teaches various courses within the traditional Bachelor of Nursing Program. She comes with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She started her career in the United States Air Force, where she deployed to Afghanistan and worked in the Trauma/Emergency Department and helped both locals and military victims of gunshot wounds, blasts, burns, etc.

Gouin has worked as a supervisor of an OB/GYN clinic, is experienced in the area of inpatient obstetrics and currently works at Family Health West taking care of post-operative patients waking up from anesthesia.

She has taught nursing students at a college level since 2015 and thoroughly enjoys educating future nurses. She has experience in leadership and management, high-risk obstetrics, trauma, surgical services, and diabetes management. Gouin's areas of scholarly interest include nursing burnout, nursing curriculum, addiction, spirituality in nursing care and health and wellness.

Gouin gravitates towards the cognitive-social philosophy of teaching which recognizes not only the importance of knowledge but also that of modeling skills, procedures, and expectations to students. She believes that students and faculty are equal human beings, different in their experience and skill set, and that when an instructor starts educating and teaching from a perspective that they are a “better” and a more valuable human being than their student, they hinder the learning experience and have a false sense of identity and pride. Gouin believes that students must be accountable and responsible for their learning and does not believe in a “top-down” approach where the instructor is solely responsible for the success of the student. Rather she thinks the instructor should facilitate a love of learning and an environment ideal for all types of learners. By providing an ideal environment, educators are able to motivate learners and facilitate quality outcomes for all students. As an educator, Gouin believes it is crucial to be adaptive and flexible in her approach so that her students may be successful.

Gouin also has previous experience launching a brand-new traditional BSN program where she developed the curriculum and various courses within the program.

She has a passion for education, and some of her hobbies include mountain biking, skiing, hiking, camping and spending time with friends and family.

Lucy Graham, PhD, has a special research interest in helping underserved and vulnerable populations improve health outcomes.

Her clinical nursing journey started in the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department and then evolved to public health nursing. Graham directed a federally funded program for people living with HIV in western Colorado for 14 years, precepting CMU BSN students for most of those years.

She joined the CMU faculty in August 2016, teaching community and population health in the undergraduate program and the final capstone project course for the graduate students in the Master of Science in Nursing program. As she moved into more administrative roles, first as the Director of Nursing Education Programs and then as the Director of the Department of Health Sciences, her teaching has focused on nursing research and community and population health clinical. She believes the best learning comes from being engaged and challenged while having fun. Graham uses a variety of methods to stimulate learning, but rarely traditionally lectures from slides. She values interactive discussions and time to reflect on key content and connections.

In her time off, she loves to spend time with her family and pets, trail run, bike, ski, travel, camp, cook, and read historical fiction.

Selected Publications

Graham, L. & Makic, M.F. (2020). Nursing considerations for patients with HIV in critical care settings. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 31(3), 308-317. doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2020969

Davis, A. & Graham, L. (2021). What do you know? Start there. In (Eds.) R. Reitz, L. Sudano, & M. Knudson, Connections in the clinic: Relational narratives in team-based primary care. Springer.

Graham, L.J., & Emerson, K. (in press). An innovative academic-practice partnership using simulation to provide end-of-life education for undergraduate nursing students in rural settings. Nursing Education Perspectives.Graham, L.J. (2015). Integration of the interaction model of client health behavior and transactional model of stress and coping as a tool for understanding retention in HIV care across the lifespan. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 26(2), 100-109.

Graham, L.J., Davis, A.L., Cook, P.F. & Weber, M. (2016). Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in a rural Ryan White Part C HIV clinic. AIDS Care, 28, 508-512. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1110235

Graham, L.J. (2016). Book Review: Yellow Dirt: A Poisoned Land and the Betrayal of the Navajos. Creative Nursing, 22(1), 65-68. doi: 10.1891/1078-4535.22.1.65

Curriculum Vitae

Michalene Grebski, PhD, teaches General Psychology and Human Growth and Development courses. Grebski has a multicultural educational background and believes in a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to education. In her classes, she strives to promote a democratized, risk-taking culture as well as lateral thinking. Her goal is always to unleash innovativeness and creativity in every student by demonstrating that there is always more than one solution to every problem and more than one answer to every question. Grebski's teaching philosophy centers on creating a partnership which will allow students to grow academically and professionally, creating an atmosphere that encourages students to challenge the teacher instead of obeying the teacher. She believes that 21st century education needs to focus on teaching concepts instead of facts; it should focus on the development and nurturing of the most important human attributes like innovativeness, creativity and modern leadership skills.

A firm believer in teamwork, Grebski has always been comfortable being a team player. Her leadership philosophy is to remove the roadblocks for the people with whom she works as well as students, so that everyone can be successful. She would like students to feel that she is accessible to help them to meet their needs not only in the classroom, but also in professional settings.

Grebski's current research interest focuses on creativity and innovativeness from the psychological perspective.

Education

MA, University of Central Missouri
BS, University of Central Missouri 

Biography 

Nicole S. Grider graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Broadcast Media, with an emphasis in creative writing and production, and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a cognate focus of interpersonal communication, from University of Central Missouri. 

In addition to being an Honor Thespian, member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the 2015 Regional Access to Graduate Education Grant Award winner, Grider steps in-front of the classroom with a wealth of professional media communication experience from radio, film, television, theatre and voice-over work.

Grider’s research interests are steeped in observing the holistic connections of human communication, as well as social justice, the persuasive nature of media and observer responses to large-scale displays of fourth-wave feminism.

Previously, Grider served as the faculty advisor for Feminists in Action for Gender Equality, and as a conversation partner for an Intensive English Program. Currently, Grider serves as a co-advisor for The Talk and advisor to current, previous and future students of communication.

Grider’s teaching philosophy is ground in the understanding that, regardless of one’s career path, the ability to effectively communicate with others is the most powerful tool a human may develop. Therefore, she teaches to engage and bolster critical thinking skills, to facilitate authentic communication and to use education to help broaden world views.

During his years as a practicing orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. George Gromke was actively involved in the State Medical Society. He was a speaker at various educational symposiums hosted by the society. Dr. Gromke brings his experience as an orthopaedic surgeon to CMU to teach pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology and embryology.

Dr. Gromke comes to class enthusiastic, organizing each class well and using a variety of teaching methods to present the material. He mainly focuses on helping students in his class learn rather than just dispensing his knowledge to them.

Dr. Gromke believes that effective teaching is comprised of two necessary and related elements: knowledge of the content and ability to communicate it. Knowing the material is not enough to be effective in teaching. Therefore, he takes care to understand the concepts he expects to cover and to make them understandable to the students. He organizes his presentations with students learning in mind and keeps his knowledge up-to-date. Dr. Gromke references clinical scenarios from his residency and time as an orthopedic surgeon to emphasize the relevance of the material to his students.

Outside of teaching he enjoys downhill skiing and fly-fishing.

Kirstin Guptill teaches Human Resource Management in the Davis School of Business. This course is designed to provide an overview of Human Resource principles and applications. Her teaching philosophy is based around communication and conversation. She believes that while we can study concepts and theory, the best way to firmly grasp new knowledge and application is to discuss and develop ideas on past, current and future real world implications to these theories. Guptill has a passion for teaching and sharing new ideas in regards to Human Resources, not only in the classroom but also with her involvement as the Past-Board President of Western Colorado Human Resource Association and as the Education Director for Colorado Society for Human Resource Management.

Guptill currently works full-time as an human resource manager with a Community Healthcare Center in Mesa County, where she spends her time develops and directs the Human Resource functions and department. Additionally, she spends her spare time building and developing learning opportunities for HR and business professionals in the Grand Valley through the Western Colorado Human Resource Association

Education

PhD, Michigan State University
MAcc, Florida State University
BA, University of Connecticut

Biography

Geoffrey Gurka teaches Income Taxation of Individuals, Advanced Tax and Tax Research, Financial Accounting and Intermediate Accounting I & II. As these are challenging subjects, his classroom approach is to combine an introductory or advanced lecture with students participating in solving classroom examples. Nightly homework is assigned to reinforce the concepts discussed in class.

Gurka's scholarly interests focus on the development of successful classroom tools and techniques. Personal interests include hiking, camping, privacy issues and the advancement of Linux in the accounting profession.

Philip Gustafson, PhD, completed his undergraduate work at the State University of New York, Oneonta, and then went on to earn his MS and PhD in mathematics from Washington State University. He is a member of several professional organizations including the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Kappa Mu Epsilon and Sigma Pi Sigma. He was also a founding member and officer for the MAA Special Interest Group in Business, Industry and Government (BIG SIGMAA).

Gustafson teaches a variety of classes at all levels in the mathematics program at CMU, for both majors and non majors. He played a lead role in developing the undergraduate Applied Math concentration and the Graduate Certificate in Applied Math. One course he created unique to CMU is Math 362 Fourier Analysis. In this course, students record, analyze and process sound waves and digital images. Using discrete Fourier and cosine transforms, his students learn about spectral information in voice waves, as well as designing digital filters and implementing effective compression schemes.

He has published several research papers in top international journals in his field and published teaching-related articles and expository articles regarding mathematics in business, industry and government. More recently, Gustafson has written and published two editions of a book entitled Fourier Analysis with Applications to Audio and Image Processing.

Ivan Gygi directs one of the commercial music ensembles at CMU. He strives to prepare his students for the professional world by introducing them to a variety of situations they will encounter as working musicians. Gygi's students learn and develop their ear by listening to the music's masters, learning standard repertoire, and having fun playing music together. 

Gygi has grown and maintained a private studio of 25+ guitar students and also teaches band at Juniper Ridge Community School. In the past, Gygi taught guitar and directed ensembles at the prestigious University of North Texas.

In his performing career, Gygi has played with several Grammy Award-winning artists including saxophonist Jeff Coffin, percussionist Pancho Sanchez, trombonist Wycliff Gordon, the late David Sandborn, and many others.

Published Work 

Jazz Guitar Today: What to Know About Quartal Harmony and the Tritone Substitution

Jazz Guitar Today: Creating Lines With the 6th Diminished Scale

Jazz Guitar Today: Improvising Over the Dominant Cycle in Jazz

Education

PhD, University of Nebraska

Biography

Kurt Haas, PhD, earned his PhD from the University of Nebraska. As a grad student, his areas of emphasis were medieval literature (his dissertation was about rhetoric in the Canterbury Tales), renaissance literature and composition and rhetoric. Haas teaches courses in early British literature and composition.

He believes that the broad purpose of education is to help students understand the way the world shapes them, and allow them to act effectively in their own interests. As such, Haas approaches the classroom as an interactive space where students exchange ideas about interpreting and creating texts as they gain more knowledge about them.

Haas comes originally from a small town of about 700 people in the southeast corner of Iowa. He graduated from high school in 1987, got married in 1993, was blessed with one child in 1998 and another in 2001. He is a baseball fan that enjoys the Kansas City Royals and the Rockies (in both their Grand Junction and Colorado incarnations). He enjoys hiking, camping and travel of all sorts with his family.

Kurt Haas' curriculum vitae

Education

PhD, University of New Mexico

MA, University of New Mexico

BA, Providence College

Biography

Kristen Hague, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Providence College and went on to earn her Master of Arts and PhD in English from the University of New Mexico. Hague teaches English Composition, Introduction to Professional Writing, 18th Century British Literature, Romantic Literature, Victorian Literature, Composition Theory and Practice, Honors Courses and Honors Theses. Her academic interests include 18th century literature, the rise of the novel, composition and composition theory, rhetoric and professional writing.

Austin Hale currently teaches Math 113. Within this course, he enjoys having students do board work to help them discover answers to their questions and to help them visualize the process.

Outside of the classroom, he enjoys snowboarding and getting outside as much as possible.

After receiving an associate degree from Ozark Technical College, Eli Marco Hall received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Missouri State University in 1995, where the design staff consisted of a "crazy Russian illustrator, a typographer from Poland, a poster designer from Poland and a hard-nosed Czechoslovakian." This unique undergraduate experience set the stage for an amazing episode of his life. Hall went on to earn a Master of Arts from Lindenwood University, and recently received his second master's degree in graphic design at Colorado State University because of his belief in an absolute need for quality design.

Hall believes that to be a contemporary graphic designer, one must constantly be engaged in absorbing information - information that cannot be limited by borders, language or religion. Some of his most powerful influences have been watching the 9/11 attacks while enlisted in the USMC, the Great Recession, the Housing Crash and most importantly, the birth of his two children, Andrew Michael and Zoe Gabriella. Design is Hall's lifestyle and he wants all those who take his classes to understand this commitment.

He states, "I am merely a vehicle of knowledge, obtained through life experiences and passed on to the student. It would be foolish not to pursue goals with vigor, the key is to adapt and be flexible while never quitting your personal quest. As far as what the future holds for me I will have to refer to a piece of advice that my father once told me, 'If you want to make God laugh, make plans.' It would be foolish not to pursue goals with vigor, the key is to be able to adapt and be flexible while never quitting your personal quest."

Kathleen Hall, PhD, teaches primarily in the graduate nursing program and oversees the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) program. Her clinical background and research interests are broad. She is a 2019 Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing from the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence. In addition to gerontology, her interests include cultural aspects of care, chronic disease management, cancer survivorship, and health behavior change. Her research experience includes both quantitative and qualitative methods. Hall has published and presented her original research nationally.

Kathleen Hall Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, SUNY, Stony Brook
MS, Brown University
AB, Oberlin College

Biography

Robert has devoted many years to the subjects he teaches. From 1974 to 1980 he was a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the Fisher Island Station in Miami Beach, Florida. He then moved to Denver, Colorado from 1980 to 1985 also with USGS. Next, from 1986 to 1988 he worked as chief for the Branch of Atlantic Marine Geology at USGS Woods Hole in Massachusetts. From 1988 to 1991 he was the center chief for the St. Petersburg Field Office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Then, he was the senior research geologist, also in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1991-2008. From 2008 to present he is a fruit farmer, viticulturist and consulting geologist. 

Field Experience

Committees Assignments to Render Scientific Judgment
Reviewer for research proposals to the American Chemical Society, National Science Foundation, USGS, NURC, NOAA, National Geographic Society (1985-present)
Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Task Force - Science Subcommittee (1994-2008)
Numerous theses and dissertation committees: U. South Florida, U. Miami; U. Colorado; Colorado School of Mines; Brown University (1985-2005)
Acropora Biological Review Team (endangered or threatened status) (2004)
USGS Florida Science Program Planning Team (2002-2004)
Geologic Division (USGS) Strategic Planning Team (1996-2001)
Florida Bay Science Program Committee (1994-1999)
Geologic Division (USGS) Science Advisory Committee (1991-1995)
First SEPM Congress on Sedimentology Technical Program Chair (1995)
Tenure review: U. Michigan; U. Conn.; U. South Florida, U. of Miami

Selected Publications 

Spiske, M., and Halley, R.B., 2014, A coral-rubble ridge as evidence for overwash, Anegada (British Virgin Islands), Advances in Geosciences< 38:9-20

Lisle, J., Reich, C. and Halley, R. B., 2014, Aragonite saturation states and nutrient fluxes in coral reef sediments in Biscayne National Park, FL, USA: Marine Ecology Progress Series 509:71-85

Atwater, B. F., ten Brink, U. S., Buckley, M., Halley, R. B., Jaffe, B. E., López-Venegas, A. M., Reinhardt, E. G., Tuttle, M. P., Watt, S., and Wei, Y., 2012, : Geomorphic and stratigraphic evidence for an unusual tsunami or storm a few centuries ago at Anegada, British Virgin Islands, Nat. Hazards, 63, 51–84.

Muhs, D.R., Simmons, K.R., Schumann, R.R., and Halley, R. B., 2011, Sea-level history of the past two interglacial periods: new evidence from U-series dating of reef corals from south Florida; Quaternary Science Reviews 30:570-590.

Yates, K. K., DuFore, C., Smiley, N. Jackson, C, and Halley, R. B., 2010, Diurnal variation of oxygen and carbonate system parameters in Tampa and Florida Bay: Marine Chemistry 104:110-124

Casey Saenger, Anne L. Cohen, Delia W. Oppo, Robert B. Halley and Jessica E. Carilli, (2009), Surface-temperature trends and variability in the low-latitude North Atlantic since 1552 Nature Geoscience Published online: 21 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/ngeo552

Halley, R. B. and Yates, K. K., (2008), Light, calcification, and carbonate sediment production on the Molokai reef flat, in Field, M. E., and Cochran, S., (eds), USGS Molokai Reef Atlas, USGS Circular, p. 117-120

Druffel, E., Robinson, L., Griffin, S., Halley, R., Southon, J., Adkins, in press (2008), Low reservoir ages for the surface ocean from mid-Holocene Florida corals, Paleoceanography,23:PA220

Miller, M. W., Halley, R. B., and Gleason, A. G., 2008, Reef geology and biology of Navassa Island, in: Riegl, B. and Dodge, R. E., (Eds.), Coral Reefs of the USA, Springer, New York, p. 407-434.

Hine, A. C., Halley, R. B., Locker, S. D., Jerrett, B. D., Jaap, W. C., Mallinson, D. J., Ciembronowicz, K. T., Ogden, N. B., Donahue, B. T., and Naar, D. F., 2008, in: Riegl, B. and Dodge, R. E., (Eds.), Coral Reefs of the USA, Springer, New York, p. 127-174.

Lidz, B. B., Shinn, E. A., Hudson, H. J., Multer, H. G., Halley, R. B., and Robbin, D. M., 2008, Controls on Late Quaternary coral reefs of the Florida Keys, in: Riegl, B. and Dodge, R. E., (Eds.), Coral Reefs of the USA, Springer, New York, p. 9–74.

Reich, C.D., Halley, R.B., Hickey, T.D., Swarzenski, P.W., 2006, Groundwater characterization and assessment of contaminants in marine areas of Biscayne National Park, National Park Service, Water Resources Division, Technical Report/NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2006/356, 157p.

Halley, R. B., and Hudson, J. H., 2007 Fidelity of annual growth in Montastrea faveolata and the recentness of coral bleaching in Florida, in: Aaronson, R. B., ed., Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology, Spinger-Verlag, New York, pp. 161-177.

Acropora Biological Review Team ( Boulon, B., Chiappone, M., Halley, R., Jaap, W., Keller, B.,Kruczynski, B., Miller, M., and Rogers, C.), 2005. Atlantic Acropora Status Review Document. Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office. March 3, 2005, 152 p + App. (available on NOAA website)

Yates, K. K. and Halley, R. B., 2006, CO32- concentration and pCO2 thresholds for calcification and dissolution on the Molokai reef flat, Hawaii, Biogeosciences Discussions, 3:123-154.

Sean Hamilton is an experimental percussionist, composer, and improviser currently based in western Colorado. His work primarily focuses on creating musical structures and opportunities that blend composed elements with improvisation, taking influence from avant-garde and experimental music, free improvisation, electroacoustic music, noise, and sound art. Sean has toured extensively throughout the United States and in Europe, with notable performances including the Interference Series, the Skronk Sessions, Oakland Freedom Jazz Society, the Racer Sessions, MOXSonic, Miami Psych Fest, and the SEAMUS National Conference. Sean has also presented guest lectures and clinics at various universities in the United States and United Kingdom, including Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Arizona State University, New York University, Goldsmiths University of London, the University of Leeds, and City University of London. In addition to his creative practice, Sean is an audio engineer specializing in live sound production, and has produced audio for the St. Petersburg Opera (FL), the Vail Dance Festival, the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, the Vail Jazz Festival, and the Florida Dance Festival. Sean holds a Master of Music degree from the University of South Florida and a BM from Slippery Rock University. He is proud to perform exclusively with Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets and Grover Pro Percussion instruments and accessories.

Amy Hammerich, PhD, DPT, has taught in physical therapy education for 20 years with the past 15 years as faculty at Regis University SOPT, and 5 years as an affiliate faculty at Regis University and University of Colorado.

She is the past president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is board-certified in Orthopaedics and Geriatrics. Additionally she is a Fellow of the Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Association.

Her scholarship, teaching and clinical practice focuses on hip/pelvis and spinal orthopaedic conditions, aging joint issues, and exercise and fall prevention for older adults. Her PhD research focused on outcomes with low back pain in older adults.

She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has multiple fitness certifications. She was awarded the Outstanding PT Award from the Colorado Chapter of the APTA in 2012, Bob Doctor Service Awards in 2012 and 2007, and Marinus Smith Excellence in Teaching Award from University of Colorado in 2005.

Paul Hampton, PhD, completed his Bachelor of Science at Eastern Illinois University in 2001, his Master of Science from the University of Texas at Tyler, and his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2010. Hampton has experience instructing human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and general physiology. His research interests include integrative feeding biology of vertebrates.

Biography

Jennifer Hancock, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Oklahoma State University and went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and her PhD in English from Oklahoma State University. Hancock's academic interests are creative writing practice and theory, contemporary American poetry, Modernism, feminist literature and theory, the Harlem Renaissance and baseball literature. Hancock has been published in journals including The Antioch Review, Spoon River Poetry Review, Third Coast, Puerto del Sol and American Poetry Review.

Selected Publications

Between Hurricanes (Lithic Press, 2015) Book of original poetry.

Eriek S. Hansen, PhD, received both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Utah State University before going on to earn his PhD from the University of Wyoming. His research interests focus on fish and aquatic ecology with research ranging from physiological experiments to large scale riparian restoration projects. He is a researcher at the Forensic Investigation Research Station investigating techniques for estimating time of death in human remains. He is an adviser for the Fish and Wildlife Club and teaches General Human Biology, Fish Biology, Freshwater Ecology, Fisheries Management, and Wildlife Management.

Selected Publications

Hansen, E. S. 2013. Temporal Variations in Riverine Fish Habitat and the Potential Responses of Fish. Doctor of Philosophy dissertation. University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.

Hansen, E. S., and P. Budy. 2011. The potential of passive stream restoration to improve stream and riparian habitat and minimize the impact of disease on fish A short-term assessment. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 30(2)573-588.

Budy, P., G. P. Thiede, P. McHugh, E. S. Hansen, and J. Wood. 2008. Exploring the relative influence of biotic interactions and environmental conditions on the abundance and distribution of exotic brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a high mountain stream. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 17554-566.

Hansen, E. S. 2007. Evaluating the effectiveness of passive stream restoration for improving native fish health and minimizing the impacts of disease. Master's thesis. Utah State University, Logan, Utah.

Andersen, M. E., C. J. Keleher, J. E. Rasmussen, E. S. Hansen, P. D. Thompson, D. W. Speas, M. D. Routledge, and T. N. Hedrick 2007. Status of June sucker in Utah Lake and refuges in M. J. Brouder and J. A. Scheurer, editors. Status, distribution, and conservation of native freshwater fishes of western North America a symposium proceedings. American Fisheries Society Symposium 53, Bethesda, Maryland.

Connor, M., C. Baigent, and E. S. Hansen. 2017. Testing the use of pigs as human proxies in decompositions studies. Journal of Forensic Sciences, DOI-10.1111/1556-4029.13727. Hansen, E. S., C. Baigent, S. I. Reck, and M. Connor. 2018. Bioelectrical impedance as a technique for estimating postmortem interval. Journal of Forensic Sciences 62(4): 1186-1190.

Hansen, E. S., C. Baigent, S. I. Reck, and M. Connor. 2018. Bioelectrical impedance as a technique for estimating postmortem interval. Journal of Forensic Sciences 62(4): 1186-1190.

Hansen, E. S. and F. J. Rahel. 2015. Fish energy use among fluctuating and constant thermal regimes simulating winter conditions in rivers. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 144: 990-997.

At CMU, Shelly Hansen has taught Developmental Mathematics courses (Introductory Algebra, Intermediate Algebra), and currently teach Mathematical Investigations and College Algebra.

In her classrooms, students work through problems during class, asking questions and developing understanding of new concepts. Working independently and in small groups, students share ideas and deepen their understanding through mathematical conversations and reflections.

Outside of teaching, she loves spending time with family and has opened her home to foster kids. She loves living in Colorado and enjoy spending time outside hiking, walking and gardening. She often is tackling some sort of home project too. 

Austin Hanson is a professor at Colorado Mesa University, teaching courses in Sustainable Construction Management. His classes include Graphic Communications, Principles of Construction Management, Materials and Methods, and Sustainability. He emphasizes interactive learning and real-world applications to engage students in his teaching. He utilizes project-based learning, where students tackle practical construction challenges, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By incorporating technology, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and virtual site visits, he ensures students gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment.

Hanson's scholarly interests focus on integrating sustainable practices within construction management. He explores innovative materials and methods that reduce environmental impact while enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. His research includes evaluating sustainable construction techniques and their economic viability to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation.

Beyond academia, Hanson is passionate about outdoor activities and creativity. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and hiking, taking advantage of the beautiful landscapes of Colorado. Additionally, he creates art and videos that blend relaxing visuals with humor, often featuring his adventures. These personal interests enrich his lectures, as he brings a multifaceted perspective to his students, encouraging them to find balance and creativity in their professional and personal lives.

Austin Hanson's Curriculum Vitae 

Education

MLS, University of Arizona
MA, University of New Hampshire
BA, University of California

Biography

Michele Hanson received her Bachelor of Arts in French and English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, graduating with high honors. She completed coursework at l'Université de Toulouse-le Mirail, France, and went on to earn her Master of Library Science from the University of Arizona and her Master of Arts in English-Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire, Durham.

Hanson teaches English Composition and First-Year French. In her English classes she encourages critical thinking by providing a variety of topical readings and fostering discussions. Students have the opportunity to explore their experiences and ideas through informal writing and discussions, and to understand writing as a process of drafting and revising with attention to purpose and audience. Her French classes offer a balance of speaking, reading, and writing practice. The pleasures and benefits of learning a second language are enhanced with videos and basic readings that provide a cultural context.

Michele Hanson's curriculum vitae

Selected Publications

Hanson, Michele. "About My Planets, Which Are Presently Out of Whack." Copper Nickel 5 (2006): 49-60.

"Bambini: Reflections in Venice." A Mother's World: Journeys of the Heart. MaryBeth Bond and Pamela Michael, eds. San Francisco: Travelers' Tales, 1998. Reprinted in Catholic Digest, September 1998.

"Hippy Twist." neutrons/protons. 19 July 2015. Web.

"Joining the Conversation: Collaborative Learning and Bibliographic Instruction." The Reference Librarian 51/52 (1995): 147-60.

"The Library as Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Studies." Teaching English in a Two-Year College 21 (1993).

"Trash Triptych + One." The Dr. TJ Eckleburg Review, 16 Sept. 2014. Web.

Public Readings

Poets & Writers of Colorado Mesa University
Planet Earth Gallery, Grand Junction, CO
"About the Dog," fiction. March 2014
"Hippy Twist," personal essay. March 2013
"I Want That Dog," personal essay. November 2012
"A Hotdog in Paris," fiction. November 2011

Creative Work

Dakini Lounge. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, 2013. Novel

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pharmacology: University of Virginia
PhD, Physiology: University of Virginia
BS, Biology: University of Miami

Biography

Valerie Harper, PhD, specializes in physiology and conducted research on blood pressure regulation. She is a coauthor of several anatomy and physiology laboratory manuals, and a series of computer-simulated physiology experiments. Her publications include the sixth edition of The Laboratory Manual for Human Physiology published in 2016.

Harper has considerable and wide-ranging experience as a scientist. She has worked at Columbia University as a Research Associate Scientist, facilitated clinical trials in private industry, and taught college courses on anatomy and physiology, biology and microbiology.

In her free time, you will find her hiking or skiing in the nearby mountains.

Selected Publications

Allen, Connie and Valerie Harper. 2017. Laboratory Manual for Human Physiology. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Sixth edition published 2017.

Allen, Connie, Valerie Harper, Thomas Lancraft, and Yuri Ivlev. 2014. PowerPhys (computer simulated physiology experiments). John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2014.

Lisa Harris, has more than 30 years experience in academia and government in business administration and computer training/programming. Her career at Los Alamos National Laboratory gave her opportunity to explore various arenas of computing, business and administration.

As an online instructor for both Computer Science and Business Information Systems, Harris teaches online courses such as CSCI 100 - Computers in Our Society; CSCI 106 - Web Design I; CISB 210 - Fundamentals of Information Systems; CISB 309 - Enterprise Systems.

https://org.coloradomesa.edu/~lharris/

Education

PhD, University of Missouri

MS, Central Missouri State

BA, Western State College

Biography

Timothy S. Hatten, PhD, grew up working in his family's International Harvester farm equipment dealership and went on to own a Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac dealership before entering academia as a professor. Hatten turned entrepreneurial passions into his Small Business Management textbook - sold in more than 30 countries. He stays in touch with the entrepreneurial spirit by working closely with the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction. Hatten became a Fulbright Scholar award recipient in 2001, teaching at Reykjavik University in Iceland, and again in 2011, teaching and working with the student incubator at Niels Brock Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.

According to Hatten, "Some of my favorite accomplishments in academia have come from successes my students have attained in marketing competitions for live clients like AT&T, American Petroleum Institute, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda and U.S. Army Special Forces. They have kicked the dog snot out of teams from much larger, hallowed institutions of higher learning."

Hatten has had opportunities to teach aspiring entrepreneurs in the Russian Far East and Scandinavia. He has taken students on extensive tours of business across China and Europe and hopes to expand those horizons even further in the years to come. Hatten describes his teaching style as "applied and engaging." "It is a rare class session that I do not put students in a business decision-making scenario and talk with them through their problem identification, alternative options and ultimate recommendation to solve said problem," he said.

Hatten said he does not approach teaching from a vessel approach in which students are empty glasses waiting for knowledge, but instead uses a guide approach through "Small Business Land" or "Marketing Strategy Land". "Because I have traveled this way many times before I can illustrate highlights and pitfalls they should avoid, but ultimately the journey toward their destination is up to the student," he said.

Tim Hatten on LinkedIn

Jeremy Hawkins, PhD, LAT, ATC, received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with an athletic training emphasis from Brigham Young University (BYU). Hawkins then went on to earn his Master of Science in Sports Medicine with a Public Health minor from Oregon State University before returning to BYU to earn his PhD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Athletic Training Program Director at Colorado Mesa University, Hawkins is a Professor of Kinesiology.

Hawkins has been an athletic training educator for more than a decade. In addition to classroom teaching experience he has also worked clinically at the high school, collegiate (Division I and II) and professional levels, as well as in a physical therapy clinic. Hawkins teaches primarily athletic training courses in the Master of Science in Athletic Training Program.

Since athletic training is such a hands on profession, Hawkins does his best to take the same approach in his courses, ever mindful of what the brain is doing while in class. Hawkins holds a firm belief that education changes lives, and because of that, he loves to be involved in that process. One of Hawkins' favorite ways to engage students in learning outside of the classroom is to take them with him to cover a sporting event or into the lab to conduct research. He said he finds those one-on-one interactions to be very rewarding.

Outside of class, Hawkins conducts research on therapeutic modalities. Hawkins has been known to hit people with a tennis ball to create a bruise (with proper institutional board approval of course) so that he can treat them in different ways. "There is so much that we do not know about the injury process in humans," he said, and that is the area in which most of his research questions are centered.

In addition to studying therapeutic modalities, Hawkins is interested in the educational process for athletic training. The profession of athletic training is ever changing and Hawkins said he is always looking for new ways to keep the Colorado Mesa University Athletic Training students on the forefront of those changes.

Jeremy Hawkins' curriculum vitae

Susan Hemphill teaches Math 105- Elements of Mathematics and Math 305- Discovering Geometry. Both courses are for future educators. These classes engage in group work and student-led explorations, with an emphasis on Inquiry-Based Learning and positive math growth mindsets. Hemphill is very interested in unique and non-routine solutions in problem-solving. She enjoys seeing those "light bulb moments" of understanding.

As a math educator, Hemphill strives to model different teaching methods to engage and connect with her students. She prefers to be a facilitator of learning rather than a lecture, believes in a growth mindset and encourages students to view mistakes as an opportunity to learn.

Hemphill is a retired Texas educator with 31 years of experience. She has been a classroom teacher, department chair, district math program director, Rice University School Math Project Master Teacher, Education Service Center Math specialist, and Implementation Coach for OnRamps Math courses at the University of Texas at Austin. Having recently moved to Grand Junction she enjoys all things nature in the area and is busy working on making her house a home.

Susan Hemphill's Curriculum Vitae

Megan M. Henley, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Irvine and went on to earn her Master of Arts and PhD in sociology from the University of Arizona. An associate professor of sociology, she teaches Sociology of Marriage and Families, General Sociology, Introduction to Sociological Inquiry, Contemporary Sociological Perspectives, Sociology of Health and Illness, Sociology of Sexuality and the Senior Capstone. In all of her courses, she emphasizes the sociology present in everyday life. She integrates real-world examples of sociological phenomena in order to guide students to develop a sociological lens for understanding our ever-changing world.

Henley’s research focuses on issues related to gender, health and reproduction. She has published several articles on maternal healthcare inequalities, bridging the discipline of sociology with public health. She enjoys conducting research that not only illuminates social problems but also provides insight into better paths forward.
In her free time, she can be found hanging out with her friends, family members and cats (who are also family members). She enjoys Pilates, music and travel.

Megan Henley's Curriculum Vitae

Selected Publications

2022 Henley, Megan M. “Walking That Fine Line: Doulas as Overseers of
Evidence-Based Practice.” Sociological Perspectives 00(0):1-20.

2020 Henley, Megan M. “’The Goddess of the Room’: Birth as a Feminist Issue among Doulas and Mothers.” Women’s Studies International Forum
82.

2018 Morton, Christine H., Megan M. Henley, Marla Seacrist, and Louise
Marie Roth. “Bearing Witness: U.S. and Canadian Maternity Support
Workers’ Observations of Disrespectful Care in Childbirth.” Birth 45:263-274.

2017 Naiman-Sessions, Miriam, Megan M. Henley and Louise Marie Roth.
“Bearing the Burden of Care: Emotional Burnout Among Maternity Support Workers.” Health and Health Care Concerns Among Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities, edited by Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld. Research in the Sociology of Health Care 35:99-125.

2016 Roth, Louise Marie, Megan M. Henley, Marla Seacrist, and Christine H.
Morton. “North American Nurses’ and Doulas’ Views of Each Other.” Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing 45:790-800.

2015 Henley, Megan M. “Alternative and Authoritative Knowledge: The Role of Certification for Defining Expertise Among Doulas.” Social Currents 2(3):260-279.

2015 Henley, Megan M. “Women’s Success in Academic Science:
Challenges to Breaking through the Ivory Ceiling.” Sociology Compass
9(8):668-680.

2012 Roth, Louise Marie, and Megan M. Henley. “Unequal Motherhood:
Racial-Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Cesarean Sections in the United States.” Social Problems 59(2):207-227.

Adrian Herrera-Escobar, DMA, is an assistant professor of music at Colorado Mesa University. During more than 30 years of his career, he had the opportunity to be associated with different jazz and contemporary music programs at universities in Colombia. His duties have included teaching classes such as Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation, small combos, and big band ensembles, Jazz and Popular keyboard, Jazz History, Western Music Theory, Jazz Theory, and Jazz Piano. He has extensive experience working with music staff departments on coordination and assessment of jazz and contemporary music programs.

In the field of performance, he has played with numerous Colombian and international artists such as Ronald Carter, Antonio Hart, Mark Gross, David Bennet, Joel Spencer, Chip Mc Neill, Larry Gray, Tito Carrillo, Jim Pisano, Bobbie Shew, Dave Pietro, among others. He has played at many jazz festivals in Colombia and the United States, including concerts at the Teatro Jorge Eliecer Gaitán in the framework of the Jazz al Parque 2007, 2009 and 2013 festival, Sevilla 2008, Julio Mario Santo Domingo Theater 2011, Fernando Sor School 2011, 2012 and 2013, and Adrian Herrera Quintet live in Chicago (2016). These concerts have been alternating with numerous recording sessions and Jam sessions in the United States and Colombia. He was recently chosen as the winner of the international festival of jazz Voces de Cartagena in its 2019 version in the category of the best group (Adrian Herrera Jazz Quintet) and best Arrangement (El Mejoral).

Herrera-Escobar believes teaching is one of the most amazing forms of art which involve not only the simple process of passing information to your students but also the ability to recognized valuable experiences that can engage you in your own exercise of learning. He recognizes himself as a student, encourages his students to understand and respect for the vast amount of knowledge created by humanity.

Teaching different jazz courses has been an amazing experience and an extraordinary opportunity to put practice his philosophy. He believes that one of the keys to learning jazz vocabulary is motivation. For that purpose, he uses different tools learned in academics environment and personal experiences and brings them to the class for explaining music tools such as communication, subdivision, jazz improvisation and jazz theory.

His students develop a critical mind that allows them to express their point of view and in consequence generate an interesting set of ideas that they can share with their peers. Recognizing differences is also an important part of his philosophy because it allows him to understand different rhythm and process of learning among his students and encourage him to do research about methodologies and teaching styles.

His cultural background in combination with my communicative teaching language approach, sense of humor, use of technologies, and teaching learning access allows students to acquire music skills that permit them to develop
a critical mind. That increases their abilities to solve problems in the jazz language among the vast spectrum of issues related to simple music development.

Adrian Herrera-Escobar's Curriculum Vitae

Jessica Herrick, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology and went on to earn her Master of Science in psychology and her PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Wyoming. A professor of psychology, Herrick teaches Human Growth and Development, Adolescent Psychology, Adult Psychology and History of Psychology. Herrick is Head of the Social and Behavioral Science Department at CMU.

Curriculum Vitae

The CMU Physical Therapy program's charter class will begin in August 2023. Cassidy Herringer, DPT, will teach in the program and coordinate clinical education experiences.

Herringer's teaching style includes hands-on learning and the use of case examples to encourage critical thinking and clinical reasoning.

Herringer has worked in many physical therapy settings including out patient, acute, skilled nursing, acute rehab and home health. She continues to practice clinically at the VA WCHCS.

Education

PhD, Educational Psychology: University of Northern Colorado 
MA, Counseling: University of Northern Colorado
BS, Psychology: University of Wyoming

Biography

As an assistant professor of psychology at Colorado Mesa University, Hess teaches Human Growth and Development, Child Psychology, and Research Methods in Psychology. Her research interest lies in the realm of teacher-student relationships and child development, including how a teacher's understanding of child development and teacher-student interactions in the classroom enhance learning and engagement, particularly for students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds. In addition, she enjoys a balance of teaching, research, and partnerships with local schools to better bridge the gap between practice and research. 

In the classroom, Hess believes in creating an environment that values each learner's perspective, connects course material to personal students' experiences, and includes effective prompts and exchanges for facilitating a deeper level of understanding. She aspires to create a safe and supportive learning environment in which all students are able to experiment, develop, and practice skills that can transfer to other facets of their lives. 

Published work

Cochran, K.F, Reinsvold, L.A, & Hess, C.A. (2016, November). Giving students the power to engage in learning. Research in Science Education, 1-23. doi:10.1007/s11165-016-9555-5

McDevitt, T.M, Hess, C.A., Browning, R. (September, 2014). Recommendations for developmentally appropriate practices by teachers: A content analysis of applications in child development textbook. Journal of Education and Human Development, 3(3), 23-40. doi: 10.15640/jehd.v3n3a3

McDevitt, T.M., Hess, C.A., Leesatayakun, M., Changpakorn, S., Sheehan, E.P., & Kaufeld, K. (December, 2013). A cross-sectional study of career development in thai children in an international school in Bangkok. Journal of Career Development, 6. 531-550. doi: 10.1177/0894845312470025

Biography

Susan Hess is an avid teacher, coach and performer. With doctorate and bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado and a master's degree from Florida State University, she joined the Colorado Mesa University faculty in 2014 after serving on the University of Idaho faculty for 16 years. Her principal teachers include William Winstead (Cincinnati Symphony), Robert Olson, John Wetherill (Indianapolis Symphony) and Ryohei Nakagawa (Tokyo Philharmonic).

Hess maintains an active performing schedule, recently performing with the Grand Junction Symphony, Mesa Winds, Rimrock Winds, Walla Walla Symphony, Mahler Festival, Boulder Bach Festival, Idaho Bach Festival, Spokane Symphony, Northwest Wind Quintet, Walla Walla Winds and Intermontane Bassoon Trio. She has also performed with artists such as Gunther Schuller, Christopher O'Reilly, Thomas Hampson, Jonathan Feldman, Zuill Bailey, Toni Tennille and the Moody Blues. She has performed in past engagements including Colorado Music Festival, Northwest Bach Festival, Vauxhall Baroque Consort (London), Cottonwood Chamber Music Festival, Boise Philharmonic, Delaware Symphony Orchestra and Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia.

Hess is passionate about teaching bassoonists of all ages. In addition to teaching at Colorado Mesa University, she has a thriving private studio, Rimrock Bassoon Studio, in Grand Junction.

Zac Hestand received his BA in Film with a minor in Theater from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, MA in English Studies from the University of Sheffield, and MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Point Park University.

Hestand currently teaches composition and film history courses. He hopes to one day teach screenwriting. He believes in active engagement, learning by doing, and breaking down complex concepts simply in his courses.

Hestand is the creator, writer, and director of The Invaders, a six-episode audio drama, a published horror short story writer, and a former features writer for Film Inquiry Magazine. He has a passion for film history, genre fiction, horror films, 20th century and contemporary American theater, and the art of storytelling.

In his down time, Mr. Hestand enjoys traveling with his wife, cooking, swimming, and reading.

Curriculum Vitae

Kristin Heumann, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a concentration in fitness management from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. She went on to earn both her Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness and her PhD in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness from Arizona State University. Heumann has taught Zumba, Foundations of Kinesiology, Health and Fitness Assessment, Physiology of Exercise, Anatomical Kinesiology, Advanced Strength and Conditioning, Worksite Health Promotion, Physical Activity and Aging and oversees student internships. She currently serves as the Assistant Academic Department Head for the Department of Kinesiology. In this role, she oversees Exercise Science, Fitness & Health Promotion, and Outdoor Recreation Industry Studies programs, the Health & Wellness course, as well as all activity courses. Heumann is the Education Recognition Program Director of the Strength and Conditioning and Personal Training programs for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She is the Colorado State Director and serves on the National Women's Committee for the NSCA.

Prior to teaching, Heumann acted as a personal trainer for a research study being conducted at Arizona State University. She then worked as a lifestyle coordinator in the Worksite Health Promotion setting for Freescale Semiconductor in Tempe, Ariz. She has spent time coaching jump rope and teaching jump rope classes. Heumann then went on to teach at Arizona State University while she was a teaching associate in courses including Aerobics, Weight Training, Instructional Competency Cardiovascular Fitness, and Technology and Physical Activity. She also taught courses at Chandler Gilbert Community College as an adjunct professor. While living in Madrid, Spain, for one semester, she taught courses at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, including a Master's Lecture course for the EUROSPORT Master's program in multimedia sports journalism.

As an educator, Heumann strives to challenge students to think critically to evaluate their core beliefs. She sees the role of educators to push students past knowledge of the subject and into application and significance. She believes that with hands-on experience, students are more engaged and can relate their experiences to their learning. She also continues to introduce information to her courses as it is being published.

Heumann primarily has studied the effects of exercise on bone health in children and young adult women. She has researched physical activity assessments and the effects of deployment on fitness parameters and medical utilization. Most recently, her research has focused on health outcomes throughout allied health career programs, baseball performance outcomes, and the utilization of health and wellness as well as activity courses in higher education. Heumann is also interested in the areas of strength and conditioning, athletic performance, and gender differences in training. For exercise, she likes to try new exercise modalities and loves teaching Zumba. Heumann enjoys spending her free time with her family and supporting the Mavericks.

Professor of Kinesiology Kristin Heumann's curriculum vitae

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Specht, I., Sani, K., Botti-Lodovico, Y., Hughes, M., Heumann, K., Bronson, A., Marshall, J., Baron, E., Parrie, E., Glennon, O., Fry, B., Colubri, A., Sabeti, P.C. (2021). The case for altruism in institutional diagnostic testing. Scientific Reports, 12, 1857.

Murray, S.R., Murray, M.B., & Heumann, K.J. (2021). The status of physical education service programs in Utah's colleges and universities. Journal of Kinesiology and Wellness, 10(1), 86-97.

Heumann, K.J., Murray, S.R. (2020). The status of physical education in Colorado's colleges and universities. Journal of Kinesiology and Wellness, 8, 29-35.

Ferland, P., Pollock, A., Swope, R., Ryan, M., Reeder, M., Heumann, K.J., Comtois, A.S. (2020). The relationship between physical characteristics and maximal strength in men practicing the back squat, the bench press and the deadlift. International Journal of Exercise Science, 13(4), 281-297.

Hawkins, J.R., Heumann, K.J. (2019). Hyperbaric oxygen treatment - helpful or placebo? Medical Research Archives, 7(11), 1-7.

Gonzalez, K., Hawkins, J.R., Smith, G.A., Heumann, K.J., Potochny, N.S. (2018). Assessment of oxygen saturation levels during a mild hyperbaric chamber treatment. Journal of Clinical Investigation and Studies, 1(2), 1-3.

Heumann, K.J., Murray, S.R. (2018). Double the fun with two-person, one rope jump rope. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 31(1), 5-12.

Hawkins, J.R., Reeder, M., Heumann, K.J. (2017). Cryotherapy - A call for further research. Archives of Medical Research, 5(7), 1-6.

Gonzalez, K., Hawkins, J.R., Heumann, K. (2017). The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for postconcussion symptoms. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 26(3), 290-294.

Hawkins, J.R., Heumann, K.J. (2017). The clinical use of a hyperbaric chamber as a modality to aid in recovery. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 39(3), 31-34.

Heumann, K.J., Cimolino, J., Hawkins, J.R., Pettitt, R.W., Murray, S.R. (2016). The acute effect of walking on ultrasound measurements from the Achilles InSight ultrasonometer in college-aged individuals. International Journal of Exercise Science, 9(4), Article 11.

Heumann, K.J., Murray, S.R. (2015). Jump Rope: '"Tricks" of the trade. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 28(5), 3-9.

Heumann, K.J., Swan, P.D. (2014). Qualitative ultrasound comparisons between pre-pubertal normally active girls verses competitive jump rope participants. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 22, 54-58.

Herrmann, S.D., Heumann, K.J., Der Ananian, C.A. Ainsworth, B.A. (2013). Validity and reliability of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 17, 221-235.

Malehorn, K., Hiniker, J., Mackey, T., Heumann, K.J., Murray, S.R., Pettitt, R.W. (2013). Kinesio Tape® applied to the thorax augments ventilatory efficiency during heavy exercise. International Journal of Exercise Science, 6(2), 157-163.

Warr, B.J., Heumann, K.J., Dodd, D.J., Swan, P.D., Alvar, B.A. (October, 2012). Injuries, changes in fitness, and medical demands in deployed National Guard soldiers. Military Medicine, 177(10), 1136-1142.

Warr, B.J., Alvar, B., Dodd, D., Heumann, K., Mitros, M., Keating, C., Swan, P.D. (November, 2011). How do they compare?: an assessment of pre-deployment fitness in the Arizona National Guard. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(11), 2955-2962.

Books

Murray, S.R., Heumann, K.J. (2022). Wellness for Life, (4th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Murray, S.R., Heumann, K.J. (2015). Wellness for Life, (3rd ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

Kristin Heumann's curriculum vitae

As assistant professor for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, Dr. Hibler’s teaching focuses on occupation-based practice, assistive technology, and methodologies for assessing and overcoming dysfunction in adult and geriatric populations. Students in her classes are empowered to "learn by doing" through application of skills.

Her first career was as a history teacher teaching public school grades 6-12 for a few years. She sometimes felt that she wasn't reaching all of her students, and in her search to meet the needs of her student population, she discovered occupational therapy. Once she learned more about the great scope and breadth of this profession, she knew it was the career for her. Dr. Hibler went on to graduate school to obtain her Doctor in Occupational Therapy, and for the past 6 years, has worked as an acute care OT at a Level II Trauma Center. Her areas of expertise are neurological deficits (TBI, SCI, CVA) and critical care (especially management of the mechanically-ventilated patient). She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and Assistive Technology Practitioner.

Additionally, she is the faculty advisor for the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and enjoys this special opportunity to collaborate with students to serve the local community. Her favorite events are Go Baby Go and CarFit.

Outside of teaching, Dr. Hibler enjoys skiing, camping, hiking with her dog and maintaining her clinical practice skills within the acute care hospital setting. She lives in Grand Junction with her family.

Jonathan Hinkle joined the music faculty at Colorado Mesa University in 2012 as the first Director of Athletic bands and Associate Director of Bands, which included the responsibility of starting and directing the university's first marching band, the Maverick Stampede. In only a few seasons, this group grew to include 155 members and is now also housed in their very own rehearsal facility (turf field, storage/meeting room, and observation tower) known as the Stampede Center. In 2016, he also formed the Rowdy Brass Band, a small 21st Century ensemble performing both on and off campus and for professional engagements. Both groups are now in high demand throughout Colorado. In 2021, Hinkle was reappointed as Director of Bands, which includes directing CMU's Wind Symphony, overseeing the Best of the West festival each December, continuing to lead the Rowdy Brass Band, and overseeing the comprehensive band program. The CMU Concert Band, a second wind band, was formed in 2022, and in 2024, the Mesa Brass Band, a second commercial-like group, was also added to the line-up, both from continued program growth. As a result, the music education program and department of music as a whole at CMU has also continued to grow and strengthen. Dr. Hinkle also teaches courses in conducting and a full studio (10-13 members since 2017) of applied trumpet music majors and minors. He maintains an active schedule as a band clinician, adjudicator, and honor band conductor throughout the United States.

Before moving west, he was an active music educator, band director and trumpeter in the Southeastern United States. This experience included five years as a high school band and orchestra director at Sebastian River High School (Sebastian, FL) and Melbourne High School (Melbourne, FL), leading marching bands, concert bands, jazz ensembles and string orchestras to state and national recognition. These included performances at the Bands of America National Concert Band Invitational in Indianapolis, IN, and also the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. He returned to the Florida State University College of Music for the Master of Music Education degree earning a University Fellowship for his work starting and directing the Seminole Swing Machine, the first jazz big-band specifically designed for music education majors. Encouraged to continue his graduate work, he later earned the PhD in music education under the mentorship of Dr. Clifford Madsen. At FSU, Hinkle was responsible for teaching and leading various music courses as a graduate student and later as an adjunct faculty. As both an undergraduate and graduate student, he served as principal and lead trumpet with many of the university's top performing ensembles including the Wind Orchestra under the direction of Richard Clary and Jazz Ensemble I, under the direction of Leon Anderson, giving world premiere performances with both groups on national stages. Hinkle's professional performing experience also includes being a lead trumpeter at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, as the principal trumpeter with Orchestra Mia in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a member of the Colorado Mesa University Faculty Brass Quintet, Faculty Jazz Quintet, and in a variety of freelance appointments.

Colorado Mesa University Maverick Stampede

Follow @CMUBands on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok 

Education

Educational Leadership Degree, University of Northern Colorado 
MA, Western State Colorado University
BS, Eastern Michigan University
BS, Eastern Michigan University

Biography

Denise M. Hoctor received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Bachelor of Science in Emotionally Disturbed Special Education from Eastern Michigan University. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Educationally Handicapped Special Education from Western State Colorado University and her Type D Administrative Leadership degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

She is an instructor of teacher education and coordinator for the online elementary teacher education program.

Hoctor retired from the local school district after 34 years as an educator/principal/instructional leader. She believes that learning occurs when it connects to the individual’s background knowledge, is interesting, meaningful and social in nature.

"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
--Albert Einstein

Curriculum Vitae

After 23 years, Calvin Hofer, DMA, retired from full-time teaching at Colorado Mesa University at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. He currently teaches three online courses for the Department of Music, having recently developed a new course, “The History of Country Music”. He currently serves as the NASM Institutional Representative and remains the director of the Grand Junction Rockestra, which he founded.

He was the director of bands at Colorado Mesa University, where he conducted the CMU Wind Symphony and taught beginning and advanced instrumental conducting as well as brass techniques, music theory, and trumpet.

In 2000, Hofer launched CMU's Best of the West Music Festival, which grew from a one-day event of 40 high school students to a two-day festival with more than 260 participants. This event showcased three bands (and three guest conductors), a guest artist who presented a recital and performed a solo with the CMU Wind Symphony and a composer-in-residence who was commissioned to compose a new band piece. At the festival, Hofer has conducted the world-premiere of works by John Mackey, David Gillingham, Eric Ewazen, Karl Boelter, Jason Nitsch, Julie Giroux, Carolyn Bremer and Jack Stamp. Moreover, CMU's Wind Symphony is a member of consortiums that have commissioned works by Donald Grantham, Julie Giroux, Scott McAllister, Steven Bryant, John de Meij and Michael Gandolfi.

In a 17-year span as the former head of the Department of Music, Hofer steered the CMU Department of Music through two accreditations by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), for which he has presented at their annual conference. Hofer served NASM for six years on the NASM Commission on Accreditation, and currently serves as an evaluator and consultant. During his tenure as department head, the number of music majors tripled, number of full-time faculty doubled, and two new degree programs added. Hofer continues to serve CMU as the NASM Institutional Representative.

Hofer's numerous initiatives also include CMU's Middle School Music Camp, which he founded, and the Grand Junction "Rockestra", a unique semi-professional ensemble (rock band, singers and orchestra) that performs classic rock and roll to enthusiastic indoor and outdoor audiences. Besides providing a unique musical ensemble to the Grand Valley, Rockestra raises much needed scholarship funds for the CMU Department of Music.

Hofer is the former principal trumpet (retired) of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and is currently the trumpet instructor at Rushmore National Music Camp. He has conducted and served as an adjudicator/clinician in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Ontario, Canada. After retiring from full-time teaching, Hofer and his wife Margaret traveled the country full-time, living in their RV for two years. The Hofers have settled in their beloved Black Hills of South Dakota. Hofer performs in the Rapid City Municipal Band, serves on the Board of Directors for the Black Hills Symphony, helps with the local high school band and orchestra programs, and is back on the soccer pitch as a referee.

Curriculum Vitae

Jill Holaday, PhD, teaches a broad range of art history courses, from prehistoric through contemporary. She loves to engage students with lively discussions and in-class activities. Her scholarship centers on a group of postwar German artists that make up Group Zero, and the network of artists with whom they worked. Her other scholarly interests include German visual culture throughout modern and contemporary times, German History and Japanese, Chinese, Indian and 19th Century art. 

She has taught art history full time for three years at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She also likes to travel to New York to see what is currently happening in the art world.

Her classroom is a place where she encourages students to be curious. Once a student becomes curious about the world around them, learning follows. She likes to encourage her students to engage learning materials in ways that they will remember in the long-term, not just short-term memorization of dates and titles of artworks and architecture. She makes herself available outside the classroom to aid students in their journey.

In her free time, she loves to hike around the area and take in the beauty of the Western Slope.

Jill Holaday's Curriculum Vitae

Autumne Hollingsworth, DPT, is the primary faculty for Neuromuscular I, II, and III. She also contributes to Essential Skills and Therapeutic Modalities as a lab assistant. Autumne engages students in the learning process by promoting a space of intellectual vulnerability, where discomfort is expected and salience is promoted.

Before coming to CMU, Hollingsworth was the residency coordinator for the Baylor Scott & White - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Neurological Residency.

With a background in residency education and clinical practice, Hollingsworth emphasizes learning with neuroplasticity and believes that is the core of what drives the brain to change. For students, she works to implement salience and repetition in the classroom. Outside of the classroom intensity and time are encouraged to continue learning independently.

When not at CMU she can be found outside with her kids and husband hiking and hunting down lizards and frogs.

Autumne Hollingsworth's Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, Education with specialization in Education Technology and E-learning: Northcentral University
MSN, Nursing: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Biography

As an advanced practice nurse (APRN) and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Critical Care Nursing, including a twenty-five year certification history in Critical Care (CCRN), Janice Holvoet brings more than 30 years of nursing expertise, in both practice and education, to her current position at CMU.

Holvoet completed her master’s degree in nursing through the University of Colorado, where she also obtained her Advanced Practice Degree in Nursing (Masters) as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with a focus on Adult Critical Care. Holvoet received her PhD in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technologies and E-learning from Northcentral University.

Published Work 

Holvoet, J. (2017). E-learning and the meaning of resistance-acceptance: A post-intentional phenomenological study of nursing faculty in pre-licensure education. Northcentral University: ProQuest Dissertations.

Holvoet, J. (2014). Using affective pedagogy in distance learning. In D. Ondrejka, Affective Teaching in Nursing (pp. 113-124). New York, NY: Springer.

Education

Ph.D. University of Montana
B.A. University of Missouri

Instructional Areas

X-ray Diffraction Lab

Research Interests

Hydrocarbon exploration

Clay mineralogy

Landscape evolution in western Colorado

Brian Hosterman, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in physics at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned both his Master of Science and PhD in physics. After graduating, he was hired as a postdoctoral research associate at the New College of Florida in Sarasota, Florida.

Hosterman is an experimental physicist, with a strong background in vibrational spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. He has begun to synthesize and characterize materials with applications towards nuclear and renewable energies.

Hosterman is recruiting CMU physics majors to assist with these projects, which will help the students develop professional laboratory skills that will benefit the students in graduate school or careers after CMU.

Brian's Colorado Mesa Page

Education

MFA, Carnegie-Mellon Professional School of Directing

Michael Chekhov Acting Technique Certification, mentor Joanna Merlin

Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Acting Apprentice

BFA, Otterbein University

Biography

Jeanine Howe is an associate professor of theatre arts. She currently teaches Stage Movement, Beginning Acting, Michael Chekhov Technique, Playwriting, Directing, Contemporary Drama, American Drama, Theatre History and Introduction to Dramatic Literature.

Howe has studied with teachers such as Victor Jory, Jon Jory, Timothy Busfield, Anne Pitoniak, Michael Zelenak, Mel Shapiro, Charlie Willard and Joanna Merlin. A transplant from back east, Howe has directed more than 130 productions including several original works at such theatres as Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Walnut Street Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, American Ibsen Theatre, Philadelphia Area Repertory Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Theater of the Seventh Sister and many universities and theatres nationwide. She has been artistic director for Millbrook Playhouse and associate artistic director for Pittsburgh Playwrights and Pittsburgh Playhouse Traveling Troupe. She has taught at universities across the country including Carnegie-Mellon, Gettysburg, University of Pennsylvania and Temple University.

Howe served as adjudicator for the American College Theatre Festival, Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Thes Con, Colorado Community Theatre Coalition and Rocky Mountain Theatre Association and has been both a panelist and presenter for these organizations. She received the Bud Yorkin Directing Award and was nominated for CMU's Distinguished Faculty Award. Howe has also received playwriting fellowships and commissions and has nine produced plays to her credit.

She works as a professional freelance director, administrator, actress, playwright and coach. Howe also serves on theatrical boards and committees throughout the country.

Howe is a member of the Theatre Communications Guild, New Dramatists, Dramatists Guild, Rocky Mountain Theatre Association, Association for Theatre in Higher Education, American College Theatre Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR representative, Association for Women in the Arts and Panel for Theatre of the Future.

Erika K. Jackson, PhD, is a professor of History at Colorado Mesa University and teaches courses in women's and gender history; the history of sexuality; immigration, race and ethnicity; and other courses focused on Modern U.S. History.

Her newly released book, Scandinavians in Chicago: The Origins of White Privilege in Modern America, explores ideological, gendered concepts of Nordic whiteness and Scandinavian ethnicity employed by native-born Americans in Chicago during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to construct hegemony. She is currently researching her second book focused on girlhood and privilege in the 1990s, which uses media discourse to examine the process by which girls coming of age during the 1990s “practiced” feminism in comforting ways within the parameters of racial and gendered constructs.

Jackson is also the history faculty liaison to both secondary and elementary education and advises education students. Jackson, along with Brenda Wilhelm and Jennifer Hancock, created a new minor in women's and gender studies and serves as an advisor to the program. Additionally, Jackson is club advisor to CMU's Association of Feminists (Fem Club), which engages students in events and activities including club meetings, scholarly events, and which seeks to educate students on the importance of gender equality.

Marlon Jean, PhD, currently teaches GEOL111 and GEOL111L. He will be teaching Mineralogy & Igneous Petrology in the coming semesters. His research utilizes the major element, trace element, and isotopic composition of ultramafic to mafic, volcanic and plutonic rocks, with a main focus on the life cycle of oceanic and continental lithosphere in the US Cordillera. Jean is currently investigating (1) primitive, modally layered gabbroic rocks from the lower plutonic crust formed at a fast-spreading ridge, sampled by IODP at the Hess Deep rift; (2) Martian and Lunar meteorites; (3) Gold deposits from Nevada; and (4) drillcore from Unalaska Island, Alaska. If students, prospective students or others are interested in any of these projects, please feel free to reach out to Jean.

Marlon Jean's Curriculum Vitae

Marlon Jean's Research Gate Profile

Selected Publications

Jean MM, Christiansen EH, Champion DE, Vetter SK, Phillips WM, Schuth S, Shervais JW (2018) Caldera Life-cycles of the Yellowstone Hotspot track: Death and Rebirth of the Heise Caldera. Journal of Petrology, v. 59, no. 8, p. 1643–1670.

Jean MM, Shervais JW (2017) The Distribution of Fluid Mobile and Other Incompatible Trace Elements in Orthopyroxene from Mantle Wedge Peridotites. Chemical Geology, v. 457, p. 118–130.

Jean MM, Taylor LA, Howarth GH, Peslier AH, Fedele L, Bodnar RJ, Guan Y, Doucet LS, Ionov DA, Logvinova A, Sobolev NV, Golovin AV (2016) Olivine inclusions in Siberian diamonds and mantle xenoliths: Contrasting water and trace-element contents. Lithos, v. 265, p. 31–41.

Jean MM, Hanan BB, Shervais JW (2014) Yellowstone hotspot-continental lithosphere interaction. EPSL, v. 389, p. 119–131.

Jean MM, Shervais JW, Champion DE, Vetter SK (2013) Geochemical and paleomagnetic variations in basalts from the Wendell RASA drill core: Evidence for magma recharge and assimilation-fractional crystallization from the central Snake River Plain, Idaho. Geosphere, v. 9, no. 5, p. 1319–1335.

Jean MM, Shervais JW, Choi SH, Mukasa SB (2010) Melt Extraction and Melt Refertilization in Mantle Peridotite of the Coast Range Ophiolite: An LA-ICP-MS Study. Contributions to Mineralogy & Petrology, v. 159, no. 1, p. 113–136.

Eliot Jennings, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in emergency administration and planning and went on to earn his Master of Public Administration and his PhD in Public Administration from the University of North Texas. An associate professor of political science, Jennings teaches American Government; State and Local Government; Public Administration; Public Budgeting; Public Management; Technology and Society, Emergency Management; and Disaster Planning, and Maverick Milestone courses. Jennings teaches both traditional and online courses.

He engages students through a variety of approaches, including discussions, the use of case study analysis and student presentations. Jennings' scholarly interests include research on technologies used in disaster response, emergency operations center design and operations, technological hazards, and hurricane planning. He serves as a member of the Colorado Mesa University Social Research Center.

Jennings' teaching philosophy is based on the belief that great teaching involves more than simply transmitting knowledge. It involves sharing a passion for learning and curiosity with his students, helping inspire them, facilitating the development of their critical thinking abilities and preparing them for careers and life after their course work is completed. He believes this can be accomplished through several basic approaches to teaching. The first is to be passionate about teaching and conveying that passion by being prepared for class, learning new research and trends related to disciplines involved with public administration and enjoying watching students develop. His second approach is help students develop their own critical thinking skills. If he simply teaches students what he knows, their knowledge is limited. By developing their own critical thinking skills, they will be more knowledgeable and better prepared to help solve the issues they will face on the job.

Jennings believes evidence-based knowledge provides a sound foundation for learning. He incorporates research articles as well as traditional textbooks in his classes so that students can develop their ability to critically analyze research, the assumptions of the research and the generalizability of it. He takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching drawing upon the contributions from other disciplines and their application to public administration. Finally, Jennings believes diversity and other perspectives add value to learning. This diversity can come from other disciplines as well as the varied backgrounds and experiences of the students.

Prior to entering academia, Jennings served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service's nuclear power program and as an instructor at the Navy's Nuclear Power Prototype facility in Ballston Spa, New York. He also spent 10 years as the emergency manager for Galveston County, Texas and the City of Galveston. Prior to coming to CMU in 2013, he served as a lecturer in the Emergency Administration and Disaster Planning Program at the University of North Texas. He has also taught courses for the State of Texas Division of Emergency Management as an adjunct instructor.

His personal interests include exploring the great outdoors of western Colorado and eastern Utah, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Curriculum Vitae

Dirk Johnson, DMA, is the director of vocal ensembles and interim instructor of music at Colorado Mesa University, where he conducts the CMU Vocal Arts Ensemble, Vocal Chords, Soprano/Alto Choir and Tenor/Bass Choir, and teaches courses in choral music education, choral literature and conducting. He previously served as the artistic director of the Charleston Civic Chorus, director of Choral Activities and Music Department chair at West Virginia State University, visiting professor at the University of Virginia and director of choirs at Timpanogos High School and Pleasant Grove Junior High near Salt Lake City, Utah.

An active composer and arranger, Johnson has received commissions from collegiate, community and church choirs from around the country and regularly writes for ensembles under his own direction. He was honored as winner of the 2015 John Ness Beck Foundation Award for composition of traditional sacred choral music and has music published by Walton Music. As a professional choral singer, he sang for two seasons with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati and for four years with the Tennessee Chamber Chorus. He frequently performed as tenor soloist with the West Virginia Symphony Chorus and in WVSU faculty recitals. Johnson’s current scholarly research focuses on American folksong traditions and their implications for choral arranging.

In addition to music, Johnson enjoys playing and coaching soccer, acting, camping, hiking, DIY projects, tutoring math and spending time with his wife and children.

Curriculum Vitae

dirkjohnsonmusic.com

Education

PhD, University of Tennessee

MS, Southern Illinois University

BA, Southern Illinois University

Biography

Verner Johnson, PhD, received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science from the Southern Illinois University and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Tennessee. A professor of geology, Johnson teaches Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Survey of Earth Science, Computer Applications in Geology, Geophysics, Geospatial Database and Design, Cooperative Education and Structured Research. His research interests include Geophysics, Computer and GIS Applications in Geology, GIS/GPS and Remote Sensing.

Dylan E. Jones, PhD, was born and raised in northern Minnesota but a passion for mountains and chemistry has kept him out west. He received his BA from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 2014 and joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nevada Reno as a graduate student the same year. During his graduate studies, Jones also researched as a visiting scholar at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Leuven, Belgium, on two occasions.

In 2019, Jones was awarded his PhD following the successful completion of his dissertation entitled "Synthesis & Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Cyclotriazadisulfonamide (CADA) Analogs to Target Signal Peptides." From 2019-2022, Jones was a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Nevada Reno in the lab of Robert O. Ryan, PhD, where he published several papers on the biochemistry underlying impaired mitochondria function in an effort to predict molecular "biomarkers" that may help predict and diagnose various diseases including cardiac disease.

Jones teaches biochemistry lecture and lab, organic chemistry lab and general chemistry lecture. In each of these courses, Jones strives to guide students to develop a chemical intuition that can be applied to the endless chemical reactions they will encounter as chemists. He believes the most effective approach to teaching includes empathy, patience and respect.

Outside of his work at CMU, Jones can typically be found outside enjoying numerous activities such as backpacking, fly fishing, climbing, trail running, hiking and biking.

Selected Published Work

Jones, D. E.; Jennings, E. A.; Ryan, R. O. (2022) Diversion of acetyl CoA to 3- methylglutaconic acid caused by discrete inborn errors of metabolism. Metabolites 12(5), 337.

Jones, D. E.; Romenskaia, I.; Kosma, D. K.; Ryan, R. O. (2022) Role of non-enzymatic chemical reactions in 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. FEBS J. 289(10), 2948-2958.

Jones, D. E.; Klackling, E.; Ryan, R. O. (2021) Inborn errors of metabolism associated with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. Clinica Chimica Acta 522, 96-104.

Jones, D. E.; Ricker, J. D.; Geary, L. M.; Kosma, D. K.; Ryan, R. O. (2021) Isomerization of trans-3-methylglutaconic acid. JIMD Reports 58(11), 61-69.

Young, R.; Jones, D. E.; Diacovich, L.; Witkowski, A.; Ryan, R. O. (2020) trans-3- methylglutaconyl CoA isomerization-dependent protein acylation. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 534, 261-265.

Jones, D. E.; Perez, L.; Ryan, R. O. (2019) 3-Methylglutaric acid in energy metabolism. Clinica Chimica Acta 502, 233-239.

Berger, K.; Pauwels, E.; Parkinson, G.; Landberg, G.; Le, T.; Demillo, V. G.; Lumangtad, L. A.; Jones, D. E.; Islam, M. A.; Olsen, R.; Kapri, T.; Intasiri, A.; Vermeire, K.; Rhost, S.; Bell, T. W. (2021) Reduction of progranulin-induced breast cancer stem cell propagation by sortilin-targeting cyclotriazadisulfonamide (CADA) compounds. J. Med. Chem. 64(17), 12865-12876.

Ali, R.; Anugu, S.; Chawla, R.; Demillo, V. G.; Goulinet-Mateo, F.; Hamal, S.; Jones, D. E.; Lamprecht, K.; Le, T.; Lumangtad, L. A.; Plflug, N. C.; Sama, A.; Scarbrough, E. D.; Bell, T.W. (2019) Tsuji-Trost cyclization of disulfonamides; Synthesis of 12- membered, 11-membered, and pyridine-fused macrocyclic triamines. ACS Omega 4, 1254-1264.

Biography

Jacob Jones, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in psychology and criminal justice from Bluefield College and went on to earn his Master of Science in psychology from Radford University and his PhD in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. An assistant professor of psychology, Jones teaches Abnormal Psychology, Career Development, Sport Psychology, Theories of Personality, Psychological Interviewing and supervises the practicum for counseling psychology majors.

He actively involves students in the learning process by endorsing a 'learning by doing' philosophy. Hands-on activities, guest speakers from the community and service learning opportunities are a regular part of his classes. Jones is also an active adviser for several clubs on campus. He was instrumental in establishing the first National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) On Campus Club at MU, which is the first NAMI On Campus in the state.

Jones is a private practice psychologist in Grand Junction where he provides sport psychology services and ADHD and learning disability assessment. In addition, he works with several sport teams and athletes at CMU as a sport psychology consultant. He has more than 10 years of experience providing mental health services in a variety of environments including hospitals, veterans affairs, community mental health centers, school systems, college counseling centers and university athletic departments.

His main professional interests include sport and performance psychology, mental health, substance abuse and positive psychology. Furthermore, Jones is an avid outdoorsman and on days when he is not teaching or at his private practice seeing patients, you'll likely find him on a local trout river, fly fishing.

Selected Publications

Jones, K., Brewster, M., & Jones, J. (2014). The creation and validation of the LGBT ally identity measure, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

Jones, J. (2014). The relationship among alcohol use and college student athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology.

Jones, J. & Fass, D. (2011). The effect of methamphetamine use on the psychosocial development of adolescents. In R.J. Levesque (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Adolescence. New York, NY Springer Publishing.

Education

PhD, University of Wyoming

MS, Northern Arizona University

BS, Fort Lewis College

Biography

Lawrence 'Larry' S. Jones, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in geology from Fort Lewis College, his Master of Science in geology from Northern Arizona University and went on to earn his PhD in geology from the University of Wyoming. An Instructor of Geology, Jones teaches Geology of Colorado, Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology, Applied Geomorphology, Basin Analysis, Depositional Systems, and Subsurface Methods. His teaching style uses field examples to reinforce and replace the traditional classroom lecture and lab.

Jones has taught and developed field-based courses at multiple schools and was a co-principal investigator in a field-based National Science Foundation-funded student research project at CMU. He said CMU's location allows field-based learning to be a reality for many geology courses that are taught solely in the classroom at other universities.

Jones has a past filled with geological experience. He has been everything from a consulting geologist, to a staff and project geologist, to eventually becoming a geology instructor and professor at both CMU and Rocky Mountain College. His scholarly interests include river channel and floodplain processes, sedimentation related to fires, fluvial sedimentology, fluvial architecture and eolian sedimentology.

Education

MFA, Oklahoma State University

BA, Colorado Mesa University

Biography

Labecca Jones received her Bachelor of Arts from Colorado Mesa University and went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts at Oklahoma State University. She teaches courses in English Composition, Creative Writing and Scientific Writing.

Biography

Nikki Jones, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in art from Emory and Henry College and went on to earn her Master of Science in counseling psychology from Radford University and her PhD in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in multiculturalism from Ball State University. An associate professor of psychology at Colorado Mesa University, Jones teaches General Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Research Methods Lab in Psychology, Psychology of Women, Multicultural Service Learning and Human Sexuality. Her research interests lie in the realm of multiculturalism, including the needs of international students, the mental health and experiences of LGBT adolescents and heterosexual allies of LGBT groups.

In the classroom, Jones uses a variety of teaching methods in her courses, but likes to engage students by using media that is relevant, yet interesting, to illustrate concepts. She often requires research as a component to her upper division courses. This is an additional way for the students to have a more hands-on experience with the course material.

Selected Publications

Jones, K., Brewster, M. E., Jones, J. A. (2014). The creation and validation of the ally identity measure. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1(2), 181-195. doi: 10.1037/sgd0000033

Education

MBA, George Washington University
BA, University of Colorado

Biography

Georgann Jouflas received a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado. This program included intensive study of culture and business practices in Asia, the Middle East, Europe.  In 1983, she received a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC. The area of emphasis for the program was Management, Planning, and Control covering the financial and practical side of running a business.

While obtaining her MBA, Ms. Jouflas worked in the government liaison office for a major oil conglomerate reporting on congressional and agency hearings. Upon graduating, Ms Jouflas worked for a Los Angeles software company. This company grew from “garage start-up” to the second largest value-added IBM reseller in Los Angeles.  In this entrepreneurial venture, Ms. Jouflas was a Product Manager, developing a vertical market software product.  She was responsible product feature implementation, beta test sites, technical support, and sales. Ms. Jouflas learned the practical side of entrepreneurship while growing up.  She actively participated in the operation in her family’s sheep ranching operation and real estate management business. 

In 1990, Ms Jouflas returned to western Colorado and was the owner operator of a restaurant/bakery and a restaurant/nightclub. During this time, she also was CEO of a small food manufacturing company whose products were carried by several major food distributors in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver.

After selling her businesses in 1996, Ms Jouflas worked for the Western Colorado Business Development Center (The Business Incubator). In this role, she helped develop a Kitchen Incubator program that assists entrepreneurs in food manufacturing in all aspects of business development.  Working with the Small Business Development Center Ms. Jouflas was the Lead instructor for the Leading Edge Program, a 12-week course helping small business owners with all aspects of running a business and writing a business plan.  She is also developing the Competitive Edge program, a one-year program for small businesses assisting owners in strategic planning and networking.   She also consults with other small business owners helping them implement accounting software systems in their business.   

Ms. Jouflas has also been a business instructor at Colorado Mesa University since 1991.  Consulting and research work include:

• Listening to Business program: this program completes an in-depth interview of 100 business leaders every two years and reports the resulting perceptions identifying upcoming trends affecting the local economy;  
• Planning Oversight Committee of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce: interviews are conducted monthly with entities going through the local planning processes.  Confidential results from these interviews were used to assist local planning departments in making their processes more effective and efficient. 
• The Point, a student run business. In 2013, Ms. Jouflas worked with CMU students to open The Point a student-run coffee shop and bar.  She currently is the advisor for this interdisciplinary project helping students learn applied skills to manage a business.
• Program Manager for the Coleman Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellows program at CMU working with over 10 fellows from various disciplines to infuse entrepreneurship in the courses.

Education

MA, Oregon State University, Corvallis

BS, Utah Valley University

Biography

Jeremy Jurgens received his Bachelor of Science in English from Utah Valley University and went on to earn his Master of Arts in English from Oregon State University-Corvallis. Jurgens teaches English Composition, wherein students learn to express themselves - eloquently, and with fervor - in accordance with their own passions, dispositions and beliefs. He also teaches Introduction to Literature, where he focuses on the students gaining an understanding of the major mediums (including dramatic works, short stories, novels, comics and poetry) and genres of literature, while also strengthening compositional dexterity and proficiency.

"The best ways to foster deeper thinking and to get past the 'I'm a bad writer' myth and are to focus on personal interests (in terms of subject matter) and to strip away the mystique surrounding the writing process," he said. "By understanding that all writing is a process of exploration, drafting, revising, and repeating, students can allow themselves to make mistakes, and then learn from them and move on."

Jurgens encourages students to see him as a writing coach, someone who believes in them and encourages them and helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses. Lab days are a regular fixture in his course schedules, as he is on-hand to read drafts, assist with outlines and facilitate peer review. No two sections of any of Jurgens' courses look exactly the same. His ideal classroom is one in which everyone is prepared and ready to work, and in which everyone thinks on their feet, together and individually.

Jurgens prefers a more conversational, hands-on approach to learning. Very little time in his classroom involves traditional lecturing. "I believe that the classroom should function as a collaborative, energetic place, where we're not afraid to try new things, take sharp left turns, or have complex discussions," Jurgens said. "This means that group-work is essential (as it is in life in general), and everyone needs to contribute. Because I believe strongly in sustainability, I run a (mostly) paperless classroom, wherein all major assignments are submitted online, leaving printing and stapling hassles in the past, where they belong."

Jurgens' English 112 students do a large component of their coursework outside of the classroom, as they work closely with local non-profits preparing proposals, newsletters and engage with other work that directly affects the community.

Before arriving at CMU, Jurgens taught at Oregon State University for three years. His work included significant time in ESL classrooms, working with international students from all over the world. For the next two years, he taught at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas, where he enjoyed working with a large number of non-traditional and dual-credit students.

When he isn't teaching, Jurgens spends most of his time raising his two daughters and exploring Colorado's beautiful outdoors. If he has any extra energy or time left, he is probably watching a film or reading a new book.

Jeremy Jurgens' curriculum vitae

Education

DEd, Walden University

MA, Western Michigan University

BS, Grand Valley State University

Biography

Brad Kahrs, DEd, received his Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Grand Valley State University and went on to earn a Master of Arts in mathematics education from Western Michigan University and a Doctorate of Education from Walden University. Kahrs teaches Elements of Mathematics for elementary teachers as well as some general education mathematics courses. He enjoys working with students and developing positive relationships that enable him to instigate change and growth.

Kahrs' scholarly interests are in mathematics education, and specifically how to prepare the individuals that enter the teaching profession for the challenges that await them in curriculum, method and motivation. Kahrs has vast experience in k-12 classrooms as a teacher and coach (athletic and academic), has served as mentor to dozens of pre-service and in-service teachers and has published two works relative to mentoring beginning teachers. He is interested in teacher and school leadership.

Darin Kamstra, DMA, is a professor of music at Colorado Mesa University, director of Jazz Studies and Percussion and head of the Department of Music. Kamstra teaches Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Lessons, Percussion Pedagogy, Electronic Music, and Advanced Music Technology. He believes in fostering students with diverse abilities so that they can adapt to a wide variety of musical opportunities in the future.

Kamstra currently serves as principal timpanist/percussionist of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, performs on drum set with the Grand Junction Rockestra and CMU Faculty Jazz Quintet, and appears frequently as a percussion and jazz clinician and recitalist regionally and nationally. He served as principal timpanist of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with professional orchestras, jazz groups and music theater companies throughout Colorado, Illinois and the Pacific Northwest. He directed the Colorado Mesa University Percussion Ensemble for invitational performances at the 2024 Edeta Arts Percussion Festival in Valencia, Spain, where he was also a featured clinician.

Also an active composer and arranger, Kamstra's works are published by Tapspace, ejazzlines, and Grand Mesa Music Publishers. These works have been featured at regional, national and international conventions and at universities across the United States. Many of these compositions can be viewed on YouTube. He is a contributor to the Percussive Arts Society Online Research Journal and a regional education artist for Pearl/Adams Percussion. When not working on music, Kamstra enjoys getting outdoors, especially mountain biking and skiing.

Selected Publications

"Rockin' Pauken for Solo Timpani," Tapspace Publications

"Bateria for Solo Timpani," Tapspace Publications

"Eagle Samba for Big Band," Walrus Music Publishing

"Soundscapes 4-6 for Percussion Quintet," Grand Mesa Music Publishers

"Hippopotamus Blues for Big Band," Walrus Music Publishing

"Soundscapes 1-3 for Percussion Sextet," Grand Mesa Music Publishers

"Dreidel Samba for Big Band," Walrus Music Publishing

"Five Style Miniatures for Percussion Ensemble," Grand Mesa Music Publishers

"Percussion Faculty Positions at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education Advertised from 1992-2001 Qualifications and Duties." Percussive Arts Society Online Research Journal.

Happy Katzer graduated from Mesa State College with an Associate of Applied Sciences in Radiologic Sciences. She continued her education at Southern New Hampshire University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She also earned her master's degree in Radiologic Sciences at Southern Illinois University.

Katzer has worked as a radiologic technologist for 20 years. She teaches Introduction to Patient Care Lab and Lecture, Leadership and Management, Principles of Radiographic Exposure Lab and Clinical Experience courses. Her favorite part of being a Radiologic Technologist is patient care. Here at Colorado Mesa University, most of the courses that she teaches are focused on how to provide quality patient care. These classes help mold individual students into professionals that any hospital would love to add to their team. Katzer grew up in Grand Junction and has deep roots within the community. She stays busy playing softball and participating in any of the many outdoor activities the grand valley offers.

Kevin Kelley, PhD, is a gregarious teacher who strives to connect the tenets of psychology with our personal and public lives. This includes a firm foundation of facts and research along with critical thinking essays and classroom discussions. He's interested in industrial assessment and its predictive capacities. 

Kelley enjoys listening to music, cycling and cooking in his free time.

Deborah Kennard, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and went on to earn both her Master of Science and PhD in botany from the University of Florida in Gainesville. An associate professor of environmental science and technology, Kennard teaches Introduction to Environmental Science, Global Sustainability, Ecosystem Management, Fire Ecology, Forest Ecology, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Science and Outdoor Recreation, and the capstone course.

Kennard most enjoys teaching outdoor lab courses that engage students in the scientific method while they learn about local resource issues. She researches how old-growth pinyon-juniper woodlands are influenced by fire, bark beetles and invasive plants. She also has researched plant community changes caused by widespread tamarisk mortality due to the tamarisk leaf beetle, a bio-control agent released in 2006. Before joining the faculty at CMU, Kennard conducted research on neotropical forests.

To learn more about Kennard’s research and publications, please visit:
Google Scholar Profile | Deborah Kennard, PhD

Education

MS, Clarkson University

BS, Clarkson University

Biography

Suzanne Kenney is an instructor of chemistry at Colorado Mesa University. She teaches General Chemistry, Principles of Chemistry, Chemistry and Society and Introduction to Environmental Chemistry. She likes to incorporate active learning group work into her lectures, giving students a chance to work together and explain concepts to each other. She enjoys hearing the excitement in their voices when they "get it," she said. Group activities provide an opportunity for her students to improve their communication and team skills, both of which are vital for all future careers.

Many of her students come from backgrounds with limited problem solving experience. Another goal of her introductory chemistry classes is to teach students how to solve word problems using dimensional analysis. By the end of the semester, they should feel more confident solving a multi-step problem. She tries to incorporate real life examples as often as possible and also enjoys doing demonstrations in her classes.

Outside of the classroom, Kenney's hobbies include hiking, biking, camping and dancing.

B. Scott Kessler, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri and went on to earn his Master of Science and PhD from that institution as well. An associate professor of mechanical engineering in the Colorado Mesa University and University of Colorado-Boulder Partnership Program, Kessler teaches First-Year Engineering, Introduction to Engineering, Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication, Materials Science and Mechanics of Solids and more.

Scott Kessler's website

Biography

Mojtaba Khanzadeh, PhD, earned his doctorate in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University and also received his second MSc degree in Statistics from Mississippi State University.

Khanzadeh’s research focuses on the effective utilization of high-dimensional, image-based data streams to monitor and predict the performance of complex metal printing processes. From a methodological viewpoint, his expertise focuses on the development of new tensor-based, feature extraction methodology for big data (at the scale of terabytes) generated from complex engineering systems; and use the developed method for the purpose of prediction, diagnosis, and optimization. The methodologies that he has developed are not limited to Additive Manufacturing applications, rather they have direct applicability to many other types of application domains including, healthcare applications, cybersecurity, power generation systems, financial engineering, smart grids and other data-rich systems. 

Education 

PhD, Physics: University of Paderborn, Germany 
MA, Physics: University of Paderborn, Germany 
BS, Physics and Mathematics: Pacific Union College, CA USA

Biography

Youngmin Kim, PhD, teaches introductory- and sophomore-level physics and laboratory, as well as upper level advanced courses in Optics and Quantum Technology.

Having received education and professional training from three different countries, Kim's educational aim is to optimize the balance between classroom knowledge and practical skills in the laboratory, as he is an experimental physicist. His scholarly interests involve investigating new materials and phenomena in Quantum optical technology, and the interaction between light and matter in general.

Selected Publications

J. Cho, Y. M. Kim, et al., “Strongly coherent single photon emission from site-controlled InGaN quantum dots embedded in GaN nano-pyramids”, ACS Photonics, 2018, 5 (2), pp 439–444

YW. Oh, SH. Baek, Y. M. Kim, et al., “Field-free switching of perpendicular magnetization through spin-orbit torque in antiferromagnet/ferromagnet/oxide structures”, Nature Nanotechnology 11, 878–884 (2016)

D. Sleiter, K. Sanaka, Y. M. Kim et al., “Optical Pumping of a Single Electron Spin Bound to a Fluorine Donor in a ZnSe Nanostructure” Nano Letters, 2013, 13 (1), pp 116–120

Y. M. Kim et al., “Semiconductor qubits based on fluorine implanted ZnMgSe/ZnSe quantum-well nanostructures”, Physics Review B 85, 085302 (2012)

Education

PhD, Statistics: Baylor University
MS, Mathematics: Texas A&M University of Central Texas
MS, Education: Baylor University
BA, Mathematics: Austin College 

Biography

Clay King, PhD, teaches all levels of statistics courses and has a background of teaching mathematics from developmental algebra through calculus. He enjoys keeping the classroom light-hearted and fun, and students often comment that his passion for the subject matter adds to their enjoyment of the class. He seeks to incorporate the use of statistical software into every class he teaches, allowing students to gain valuable skills for their careers while exploring concepts at a much deeper level.

King has conducted research in quantile regression and sample-size determination. His current research interests involve regression applications with particular focus on probability and logistic regression.

When not working, King spends his time with his wife and five children. He is also an avid skier and hiker.

Education 

PhD, Rhetoric and Composition: University of Utah
MA, English: University of Oregon
BS, English: Westminster College

Biography 

At CMU, Tiffany Kinney, PhD, teaches rhetoric and composition courses which include: Professional and Technical Writing, English Composition, Science Writing, Composition Theory and Rhetorical History.

As part of her research trajectory, she engages in research that focuses on paying closer attention to marginalized rhetorics by examining local histories and how they challenge dominant structures and narratives. Another part of her research trajectory involves working with other stakeholders from across disciplines and institutions to conduct research on how best to teach writing in the sciences. More specifically, this research has taken the form of developing digital curriculum designed to help science writing students in learning to write for their discipline.

When she is not teaching or researching, she can be found hiking around the Colorado National Monument or the Grand Mesa with her partner and their two dogs, Willow and Indie.

Teaching Philosophy 

No matter the class, Kinney designs the course material to teach students that discourse is not neutral in that it is inscribed with power relations that influence what is included, by whom, for which purpose and in which form. By making students aware of these dynamics, she finds that they develop communicative patterns that are more rhetorically sophisticated and inclusive.

More specifically, she wants her first-year students, to be trained as critical thinkers and capable writers, who have a developing facility with research methods. As part of their training, she helps them understand genre conventions for documents that are frequently required in an academic setting, such as: a summary, a rhetorical analysis and a research paper. While in her advanced courses, she teaches students to not only recognize genre conventions but to develop expertise modulating discursive content from one mode to another by applying rhetoric as a heuristic across the media spectrum: essays become speeches, speeches become poster presentations, poster presentations become podcasts, podcasts become digital exhibits.

Curriculum vitae 

Published Work 

Articles
Kinney, Tiffany; Sumiko Martinez and Julie Snyder-Yuly. “Cultivating Graduate Writing Groups as Communities of Practice: A Toolkit.” Praxis: A Writing Center Journal, 16.3. (2019): 16-24.

Kinney, Tiffany. “Cinch for Instacurves: Exploring the Discursive Assemblage of Waist Trainers in New Media,” The Interdisciplinary Journal of Body Weight and Society, 6.2 (2016): 1-18.

Book Chapters
Kinney, Tiffany. “Tracing the Conversation: 20th Century Mormon Feminist Thought.” Feminist Connections: Rhetorical Strategies from Suffragists to the Cyberfeminists, edited by Katie Fredlund, Kerri Hauman and Jessica Ouellette, University of Alabama Press, 2020, pp. 181-196.

Kinney, Tiffany; Rachel Bloom, Tasha Dubriwny, Robin Jensen, Megan McFarlane, Carrie Murawski and Jennifer Stockwell. “Reevaluating Our Commitments: Intersectionality, Interdisciplinarity and the Future of Feminist Rhetoric.” In Jenny Rice and Chelsea Graham’s Rhetorics Change. Forthcoming 2017. 24 manuscript pages.

Book Reviews
Kinney, Tiffany. In the Archives of Composition: Writing and Rhetoric in High Schools and Normal Schools, by Henrietta Rix Wood and Lori Ostergaard, Peitho: Journal of the Coalition of Feminist Scholars in Rhetoric and Composition, 19.2 (2017): 350 356.

Kinney, Tiffany. Women’s Irony: Rewriting Women’s Feminist Rhetorical Histories, by Tarez Samra Graban. Rhetorica: A Journal of the History of Rhetoric. 35.3 (2017). 368-370.

Education

DMA, Choral Conduction: University of Wisconsin- Madison
MM, Choral Conducting: University of Northern Colorado
BME, Piano: University of Northern Colorado 

Biography

Adam Kluck, DMA, oversees the choral program and conducts Tenor/Bass Choir, Vocal Chords, Soprano/Alto Choir, and Vocal Arts Ensemble. Additionally, he teaches Advanced Choral Conducting, Teaching Special Ensembles, Choral Methods and Choral Literature. His philosophy in the choral rehearsal is centered around trust, vulnerability and using music to explore the human experience.

Dr. Kluck currently serves on the Colorado ACDA State Board as Youth and Student Activities Chair, and serves on the Colorado ACDA Anti-Racism Task Force.

Dr. Kluck's dissertation was on James MacMillan's Strathclyde Motets, and his current research interests include the choral music of Dmitri Bortniansky, Robert Carver and James MacMillan. He is also engaged in research centered on the academic education of singers and the current state of regional chorus employment opportunities for singers and conductors.

He has experience conducting at all levels of ensembles and was invited as one of five conductors worldwide to participate in a week-long intensive conducting symposium with two professional choirs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2015.

As for his teaching style, he is always looking for texts that are relevant to us today, and the best composers at setting those texts. Exploring and sharing music with each other is a way for us to engage in face-to-face, meaningful human interaction that we just do not experience anywhere else. Most of all, he values the pursuit of excellence in music for its own sake.

Published Work

James MacMillan's Strathclyde Motets - article published in Anacrusis, the official publication of Choral Canada. 

James MacMillan's Strathclyde Motets - poster presentation at the National ACDA Convention, March 2017

Margaret Knapp teaches Acting, Directing, Script Analysis and Theater History at Colorado Mesa University.

She is a member of Actor's Equity and earned her MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Amy Kornkven, PhD, teaches many courses including General Human Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology I; and Diversity of Organisms and Ecosystem Management.

Published Work

Molecular systematics of Artemisia section Tridentatae (Asteraceae). 1997. PhD University of Oklahoma.

Kornkven, Amy B.; Watson, Linda E.; Estes, James R. 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of Artemisia section Tridentatae (Asteraceae) based on sequences from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. American Journal of Botany. 85(2): 1787-1795. [42433]

Kornkven, Amy B.; Watson, Linda E.; Estes, James R. 1999. Molecular phylogeny of Artemisia section Tridentatae (Asteraceae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction site variation. Systematic Botany. 24(1): 69-84. [42432]

Morphometric and Genetic Variation in Eriocaulon koernickianum Van Heurck & Muller-Argoviensis (Eriocaulaceae): a Disjunct Species of the Southeastern United States Linda E. Watson, Amy B. Kornkven, Carter R. Miller, James R. Allison, Newell B. McCarty, and Matthew M. Unwin (pg. 416-426)

Conservation Biology of a Rare Plant Species, Eriocaulon kornkickianum (Eriocaulaceae) Linda E. Watson, Gordon E. Uno, Newell A. McCarty, Amy B. Kornkven. American Journal of Botany – AMER J BOT 01/1994; 81(8).

Watson, Linda E., T. M. Evans, Matthew M. Unwin, and Amy B. Kornkven. 2001. Origin and Diversification of Tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae), based on molecular phylogenies of ndhF and ITS. Annual Meeting of the Botanical Society of America/American Society of Plant Taxonomists. Albuquerque, New Mexico. August 2001.

Tiffany Kragnes, PhD, teaches courses related to the courts and criminal justice, including American Court Systems, Constitutional Law and Introduction to Criminal Justice. She utilizes her professional legal experience to provide students opportunities for hands-on learning about the courts and criminal law. Her scholarly interests focus on the efficiency of the judicial system, including specialty drug courts.

Kragnes has practiced law for over 20 years, primarily in the criminal justice system as both a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor.

Tiffany Kragnes CV

Pamela Krch, PhD, currently teaches HIST 131 and HIST 132, pre- and post-Civil War United States History; HIST 405, Introduction to Public History; History of the American West; and Environmental History of the United States. Her interests are twentieth-century United States, including the American West; Borderlands; Native American with an emphasis on twentieth century and Navajo history; and Public History.

Krch has taught at Colorado Mesa University since 2018. Previously, she taught post-Civil War United States History at the University of Texas at El Paso. In addition, she has worked in the field of Public History. Her many Public History experiences include working as a contract researcher; researching a neighborhood branding project; exploring archival work; designing museum exhibits; and conducting, transcribing and summarizing oral histories.

She believes strongly in teaching that emphasizes shared authority and interactive learning. She strives to the best of her ability to serve as a role model and guide for students who are negotiating the sometimes challenging world of college education.

Krch is currently revising an article, "Sybil Yazzie and the Silent Stories of Navajo Women Painters," for publication. She is also working on revising her dissertation for possible publication.

Biography 

Described by the New York Times as an "accomplished and intrepid young player," Brian Krinke has performed extensively as a recitalist throughout the country and in Central America. As a chamber musician he has collaborated with Orli Shaham, Simone Dinnerstein, Lukas Foss and with members of the Pro Arte, Daedalus and Maia Quartets, among others. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia and the Boca Raton Symphonic Pops.

A seasoned orchestral musician, Krinke has served as assistant concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic and as associate concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Guest appearances also include performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the American Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York. He currently performs as concertmaster of the Grand Junction Symphony.

A new music specialist, Krinke has premiered and recorded many violin works, in addition to working with composers such as Milton Babbitt, Andrew Imbrie and George Crumb.

He holds degrees from the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with renowned Carl Flesch students Szymon Goldberg and Felix Galimir, as well as former Juilliard Quartet member Joel Smirnoff. Krinke may be heard on the Naxos label performing chamber music by Jacobi and has recorded several violin works by Caroline Steinberg.

View Brian Krinke's website.

Kelly Bevill received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado and went on to earn her Master of Science from Cornell University. She spent four years in California as an engineer conducting activities which include land acquisition, remediation and foundation design/construction. Bevill's work also includes time in construction working on bridge D-B, residential development and a seismic upgrade dam project in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She hopes to expand and enrich both theory and proof of concept/hands-on learning in CMU's program.

Education

PhD Candidate (ABD), Film and Media Studies, University of Kansas
MA, Film and Media Studies, University of Kansas
MFA, Creative Writing, University of Texas at El Paso
BA, Theatre and Film Studies/English, University of Kansas

Biography 

Eric Lackey teaches composition and creative writing courses. In his teaching, Eric seeks to involve students in readings, activities, discussions, and writing assignments which help them take their writing into their own hands. A mix of media has been known to appear in Eric's classes as tools to engage students and encourage original thinking. His scholarly interests include film studies, creative writing (including screenwriting), and composition.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Barry Laga teaches Composition, Introduction to Film Studies, Literary Theory and a wide range of courses in American Literature and Cultural Studies.

Laga's courses focus on what Robert Scholes calls a "canon of methods." "I like the 'toolbox metaphor'," Laga said. "My students fill their intellectual toolbox with strategies that help them write, interpret, create, and critique. I'm less interested in what my students 'know' than what they can 'do' with what I teach them. I like to think that my classes empower students in that my methods provide more ways to read and write."

While seemingly eclectic, Laga's scholarly interests take a cultural studies approach, and he has published essays and presented papers at conferences on a range of topics and texts, from Gerald Vizenor's "Heirs of Columbus", Art Spiegelman's "Maus" and the Coen Brothers' "Barton Fink" to religious art, Holocaust monuments, cosmopolitanism and experimental literature.

Selected Publications

Using Key Passages to Understand Theory, Literature, and Criticism. Routledge, 2018.

“Aestheticizing Loss: Jonathan Safran Foer’s Tree of Codes,” Modern Language Studies. [Forthcoming]

“In Lieu of History: Mormon Monuments and the Shaping of History.” Dialogue 43.4 (2010): 131-153.

“Making the Absent Visible: The Real, Ideal, and the Abstract in Religious Art.” Dialogue 40.2 (2007): 47-77.

“Maus, Holocaust, and History: Redrawing the Frame.” Arizona Quarterly 57.1 (2001): 61-90.

“Decapitated Spectators: Posthistory, Barton Fink, and Cinematic Pleasure.” Postmodernism in the Cinema. Ed. Cristina Degli-Esposti. Providence: Berghahan Books. 1998. 181-201.

“A Postmodern Quest for More Discourse: Gerald Vizenor’s Heirs of Columbus.” American Indian Quarterly 18.1 (Winter 1994): 71-86.

“Cultivating Identities: Reflections on Mormon Root Metaphors.” Sunstone. March/2004. 32-39.

“Weaving a Novel Nation: Metaphors of Belonging.”
Fulbright at Fifty. Ed. Rudiger Kunow. University of Potsdam. 2002.

“Swapping Memories” (nonfiction narrative) Weber: The Contemporary West (Fall 2015) 32.2: 48-52.

Review of Deconstruction: An American Institution. Criticism: A Quarterly for Literature and the Arts, [Forthcoming]

Review of The Jewish Graphic Novel. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies. 29.2 (2011): 169-71.

Review of Comics as Philosophy. MELUS 32.3 (2007): 308-309. 

Review of Kimberly M. Blaeser’s Gerald Vizenor: Writing in the Oral Tradition. Mid-America Folklore. 25.1 (1997): 40-41.

Review of Gerald Vizenor’s Manifest Manners. American Indian Quarterly 20.1 (Winter 1996): 119-121.

Review of Gerald Vizenor’s Shadow Distance. American Indian Quarterly 20.1 (Winter 1996): 121-123.

Maurice (Mo) LaMee is the head of the Department of Theatre Arts at Colorado Mesa University and an associate professor of acting/directing at CMU since 2012. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Loretto Heights College and went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the National Theatre Conservatory. He teaches beginning through advanced acting classes, directing as well as several other related theatre courses.

He was director of Aspen Words (2013 to 2016), a literary program of the Aspen Institute, which hosts a major literary festival - Aspen Summer Words, as well as author talks, readings, residencies, workshops and an educational outreach program for middle and high school students.

Prior to Aspen and CMU, he was the executive and artistic director of the Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) from 2000 to 2012. During his tenure at CRT, the theatre received a multitude of national and regional accolades, including Outstanding Achievement in Theatre from the National Theatre Conference (previous winners include: The Public, ART, and Steppenwolf) as well as The Denver Post’s Reader’s Choice for Best Season by a Colorado theatre company for six consecutive years. LaMee produced more than 100 plays during his 12 years with the theatre, a third of which were original.

In 2011, LaMee was named Colorado’s “Theatre Person of the Year” by The Denver Post. In 2010, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation awarded him a Livingston Fellowship for his contribution to the Colorado nonprofit sector. More recently, he’s been involved at the Aspen Fringe Festival, including directing the world premiere production of Sharr White’s Stupid Kid in 2016, Penelope Skinner’s Linda in 2017, and original work by Sharr White and Tony Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens in 2021.

Biography

Sarah Lanci received her Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from Michigan State University and went on to receive her Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Lanci worked as a part and process engineer at an investment casting facility, PCC Structurals, in Portland, Oregon, for seven years before relocating to Grand Junction in 2014.

An assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the Colorado Mesa University and University of Colorado-Boulder Partnership Program, Lanci teaches First-Year Engineering Projects, Manufacturing Processes and Systems, Engineering Economics and Ethics, Materials Science lecture and laboratory, Writing for Senior Design Projects and more. Her classes involve hands-on projects to engage students in team work and encourage them to think critically. She incorporates activities focused on improving technical communication in all of her classes to better prepare students for jobs in engineering.

Lanci's research interests focus on engineering education, specifically how makerspaces are used and incorporated into undergraduate engineering curriculums and how they impact student learning and motivation.

Outside of work, Lanci enjoys taking advantage of the nearby mountain biking and hiking trails, rivers and ski areas.

Publications

Lanci, S., Nadelson, L. S., Bouwma-Gearhart, J., Villanueva, I., Youmans, K., & Lenz, A. (2018). Developing a measure of engineering students’ makerspace learning, perceptions and interactions. Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT

I. Villanueva, L. Nadelson, J. Bouwma-Gearhart, K. Youmans, S. Lanci, & A. Lenz. Exploring students’ and instructors’ perceptions of engineering: case studies of professionally-focused and career exploration courses. 2018 American Society of Engineering Education, LEES Division, Salt Lake City, UT.

Maclean, S.H., Pavlina, E.J., VanTyne, C.J., Bending Properties of Boron Sheet Steel Processed with Variable Cooling Rates, In Proc of 9th ICTP Conf, 2008

Richard Lane began practicing law in 2008 after several years in the IT field, and has represented clients on three continents including technology companies and import/export entities. He worked as a research assistant regarding international cultural property and repatriation as a law student including time spent studying in Argentina and in Ireland. 

He volunteers locally to instruct courses on grandparents rights and complex family relations in addition to teaching business law at CMU.

Lane is the managing partner of a 17 person law firm based in Grand Junction with offices in Denver and Houston as well. He has 12 years of active legal practice in almost every level of court. 

In his courses, Lane employs a minimalist teaching style - assigned reading, lecture, in-class tests and questions to ensure students have learned the material.

Richard Lane CV

J. Cameron Law is an award-winning educator, cellist, composer and conductor. He recently retired after 29 years as Director of Orchestras at Grand Junction High School and West Middle School. He is the principal cellist of the Grand Junction Symphony, was the cellist for the Trio de las Americas and performed for several seasons at the Crested Butte Summer Music Festival.

Law is in high demand as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator, and has conducted all-state orchestras in Colorado and New Mexico as well as honor orchestras, festivals and music camps throughout the country. His orchestras at Grand Junction High School performed six times at the Colorado Music Educators Association annual conference.

He has been the state president of the Colorado American String Teachers Association and was the camp director of the CASTA Middle School String Camp for 20 years. He has served on several advisory boards and, in 2002, was named the Colorado ASTA String Teacher of the Year. In 2021, he was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. He is currently the string editor for Grand Mesa Music, and his compositions have appeared on several state lists and have been performed at both the Midwest Conference and at National ASTA conventions.

Law spends his summers as the program director for the Road Scholar Program at the Aspen Music Festival. He and his wife, Kathy, enjoy all the outdoor activities western Colorado has to offer.

Creative Work

Daeun Grace Lee, PhD, teaches a variety of courses at CMU, including Interpersonal Communication, Speechmaking, and Essential Speech.

Having lived in over 5 different continents and 10 different countries, Lee identifies as a third culture kid and an ex-sojourner. Her passion for and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are informed by decades immersed in a variety of new and different cultures. Based on her rich lived experience, she is able to see the world and understand others through a variety of lenses. In the classroom, she understands that every student learns differently, and as such, incorporates a wide range of teaching methods to cater to diverse needs. Whether through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, or multimedia presentations, Lee demonstrates what it means to carry the appreciative and curious posture of a life-long learner. She also plans to add to the variety of communication courses offered at CMU, such as Communication and Technology, Communication in Close Relationships, and Special Topics in Communication.

Lee's scholarly interests are rooted in the study of communication competence, particularly in the realm of interpersonal relationships, health & well-being, and gratitude. She has published numerous articles and contributed to academic research through her passion for these areas of study. This expertise informs her teaching, making her courses not only insightful but also practical.

Outside the classroom, Lee enjoys hobbies that foster communication, such as participating in a community choir, co-advising CMU's communication studies club The TALK, and having "catch-up" sessions with her friends from all over the world.

Her specialized knowledge in communication competence is a valuable asset to the courses she teaches. She applies her theoretical grasp of communication processes not only to her research but also to her personal interactions. In essence, her research doesn't solely revolve around competent communication; she actively endeavors to embody and put into practice what she studies. She is a validating, caring, and enthusiastic educator who continues to strive to improve her teaching.

Her research primarily delves into the realms of interpersonal communication with a particular emphasis on its effects on well-being. Her doctoral dissertation centers on investigating the most efficient methods for expressing gratitude to others. Her research adopts a message-centric approach, aiming to pinpoint the precise communication skills that enhance the adept conveyance of gratitude.

Daeun Lee's Curriculum Vitae

Yen-Sheng Lee, PhD, specializes in finance and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Yen-Sheng's research interests include corporate finance and behavioral finance.

Before joining Colorado Mesa University, Yen-Sheng had taught economics, corporate finance, investments, international finance and risk management at Bellevue University for 10 years.

Selected Published Work

Chang, C., and Lee, Y. “Predicting the Success Rate of Reward-Based Crowdfunding Campaigns: Evidence from Machine Learning.” International Journal of Information and Management Sciences, vol. 34, no. 3, 2023, pp. 179-191., https://doi.org/10.6186/IJIMS.202309_34(3).0001.

Lee, Y. “Representative Bias and Pairs Trade: Evidence from S&P 500 and Russell 2000 Indexes.” SAGE Open, vol. 12, no. 3, 2022, p. 215824402211203., https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440221120361

Lee, Y., Vo, A. and Chapman, T. “Examining the Maturity of Bitcoin Price through a Catastrophic Event: The Case of Structural Break Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Finance Research Letters, vol. 49, 2022, p. 103165., 

Vo, A., Chapman, T. and Lee, Y. “Examining Bitcoin and Economic Determinants: An Evolutionary Perspective.” Journal of Computer Information Systems, vol. 62, no. 3, 2021, pp. 572–586., 

Chang, C., Lee, Y. and Tien, H. “Does Venture Capital Affect Crowdfunding Performance?” Economic Review: Journal of Economics and Business, vol. 19, no. 2, 2021, pp. 53–64.

Lee, Y. and Tseng, Y. “Do Firm Characteristics Affect Price Discovery? Evidence from Chinese Cross-Listed Stocks.” Economic Review: Journal of Economics and Business, vol. 19, no. 2, 2021, pp. 3–14.

Lee, Y. “The Determinants of Cross-Sectional Liquidity in the IPO Aftermarket.” Applied Financial Economics, vol. 22, no. 14, 2012, pp. 1161–1173.

He, W., Lee, Y. and Wei, P. “Do Option Traders on Value and Growth Stocks React Differently to New Information?” Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, vol. 34, no. 3, 2009, pp. 371–381.

Mike Legate earned his bachelor degree in technical design and production at the University of Montana and then went on to receive his master's in sound design from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska. He teaches sound and lighting design, stage management, theatre appreciation and other production and design classes.

Besides working in technical direction for nine years, Legate has designed sound for Crossroads Repertory Theatre at Indiana State University and Mesa Repertory Theatre at CMU. His production repertoire include working with the National Players, John Tesh, Philip Phillips, Amy Grant, Hal Holbrook, David Phelps and many other performers and production companies. An educator and sound designer primarily, Legate's design repertoire includes that of lighting design, computer animation, scenic CAD and even audiobook production.

Álvaro Leiva (he, him, his, etc.), originally from Santiago of Chile, earned his Doctorate and Undergraduate degree in the State of Florida. For more than twenty years, he has been teaching Spanish in private and public liberal arts universities such as Albion College, The University of Michigan, Grand Valley State University and Berry College where he has taught a wide range of Spanish language courses for undergraduate students from a diverse scope of disciplines and socioeconomic backgrounds.

When he is not teaching, he likes to read and write poetry and take photographs in black and white. He is proud to be a first-generation student, and he stands with the Mexican poet, Juan Inés de la Cruz, who said this four hundred years ago: “I don't study to know more, but to ignore less.” In terms of Spanish Language and Culture, Álvaro is interested in writing and lecture over new trends of language teaching and new platform internet-based instruction for beginning, intermediate and literature courses in Spanish. His interests are also aimed to conduct research on language and culture exchange with migrate workers, local Hispanic organizations (newspapers, radio, public events) in rural and urban areas in the USA.

Álvaro Leiva's Curriculum Vitae

Education

MS, Organizational Leadership: Colorado State University  
BS, Business Management: Colorado State University 
AAS, Culinary Arts: Colorado Mesa University

Awards of Completion

Research & Decision Making in Organizational Leadership: Colorado State University
Strategic Global Organizational Leadership: Colorado State University 
Managing Business Fundamentals in the Global Market Place: Colorado State University
Applied Strategic Management: Colorado State University  
Foundations of International Management: Colorado State University

Colorado Certified Technical Educators License, Marketing & Business 

Biography 

Tyler Liff has a professional background in management, leadership and managing businesses for more than 10 years. Liff has worked in local small businesses, corporate businesses and institutional businesses during his career. Since entering the world of academia, Liff has several years of lecturer professor experience and technical instructor experience teaching both traditional and online classes.

Liff has taught a wide variety of classes including: principles of marketing, principles of management, introduction to business, social media for business, introduction to customer service, managing office technology I and II, workplace behavior and problem solving in the business environment. His research primarily focuses on motivation and how it can affect management, organizational behavior and leadership.

One of Liff’s primary focuses when teaching is ensuring that the material is relatable to the real-world, so the students understand the concepts and how they connect to the business world. The best word to describe Liff’s teaching style is “interactive.” Students in his classes can expect to be engaged and participating from day one.

Education

PhD, University of New Mexico

MS, State University of New York

BS, University of New Mexico

Biography

Richard 'Rick' Livaccari, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New Mexico and went on to earn his Master of Science from the State University of New York-Albany and his PhD from the University of New Mexico. A professor of geology, Livaccari teaches Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Remote Sensing, Crystallography and Mineralogy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Summer Field Camp. His research interests include structural geology of the Colorado National Monument and the surrounding Uncompahgre Plateau, tectonics of the Laramide Orogeny and igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Uncompahgre Plateau. Rick is a strong believer in teaching geology in the field to supplement and compliment classroom instruction. He developed a 100-level Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology course that has become very popular. He also takes his upper division Structural Geology, Mineralogy and Petrology students on multiple Saturday field trips to study the local geology. During the summer, he teaches three weeks of the six-week long upper division Summer Field Camp course where he brings students on a river trip on the Colorado River and to the Moab, Utah area.

Kindra Loyd has more than 20 years experience in the nursing field, including direct patient care, nursing management and nursing education.

As a clinical instructor, she places high value in experiential learning. She teaches Family/Maternal/Child clinical nursing, providing guidance and support as students learn to care for some of the most fragile of patient populations. She loves to engage students as they provide care to women and children at some of the most scary and triumphant times in their lives.

In providing nursing education as a clinical instructor, most of the learning she provides occurs outside of the classroom. Clinical experiences present ideal opportunities to apply what is learned in the classroom to actual patients/care scenarios. Loyd works side-by-side with students in the acute patient care setting, as well as promotes learning opportunities in outpatient care provision and preventative health education for the pediatric and obstetric populations.

As a neonatal nurse of more than 20 years, she appreciates the communication, knowledge, critical thinking, compassion and patient-centered care that is crucial to providing high quality and safe care to patients.

When not caring for patients or educating future nurses, she enjoys many outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking, skiing and camping.

Kindra Loyd's Curriculum Vitae

Audrey Lumley-Sapanski, PhD, joined CMU in August 2023 from the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab. There she studied the risks of human trafficking and exploitation faced by migrants both along the Central Mediterranean Route and in the United Kingdom. Lumley-Sapanski primarily focuses on the differential effects of governance structures and policies on the individual lives of migrants. Her research is guided by three broad, overarching questions:

1) Where in their migratory journeys do migrants face ‘points of inflection’ or risks to exploitation and why?
2) How do securitization policies and governance strategies impact the safety of migrants during migration?
3) How does the differential allocation of rights and privileges based on migratory status within a society create risks of exploitation and marginalization?

This research focus stems from a background in direct service as a practitioner at a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago. Lumley-Sapanski's work is both academic and policy-facing and has been funded by the International Organization for Migration, the International Labor Organization, the modern Slavery Policy and Evaluation Centre, and the United Kingdom’s Research Innovation fund, amongst others.

Lumley-Sapanski was a New York City Teaching Fellow in Social Studies and received her master's through that program. She taught high school social studies, economics and governance and in the summers she led students on study abroad trips to Mexico and South Africa through the program Experiment in International Living. These experiences were formative for Lumley-Sapanski and through them, she learned how to apply creative and participatory approaches in the classroom. Subsequently, she has taught methods and core coursework at the graduate and undergraduate levels in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. This includes coursework in human geography, urban studies, and research methods.

At CMU Lumley-Sapanski is excited to be teaching human geography, world regional geography, GIS for social scientists, and introduction to cartography. She looks forward to collaborating with students interested in spatial inequalities, migration and/or trafficking topics.

Audrey Lumley-Sapanski's Curriculum Vitae

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

● Dotsey, S., Lumley-Sapanski, A., and Ambrosini, M. (2023) COVID-19 & precarious lifeworlds of (in)visible migrants’ care workforce. IJERPH 20(12): 6108.
● Lumley-Sapanski, A., Schwarz, K. and Valverde-Cano, A. Babiker, MA, Crowther, M., Death, E., Ditcham, K., Eltayeb, AR, Jones, MEK, Miley, S., & Mir, MP (2023) Exacerbating Pre‑Existing Vulnerabilities: an Analysis of the Effects of the COVID‑19 Pandemic on Human Trafficking in Sudan. Human Rights Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-023-00683-7
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. and Dotsey, S. (2022). ‘Paradoxical migrant allyship: the adoption of a disciplinary model of ‘compulsory integration’ for asylum seekers in Italy.’ Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. DOI: 10.1080/1369183X.2022.2042221
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. (2022). “It will kill your dreams, your goals, your everything”—Humanitarian migrants, governance through containment and the Italian accommodation system. Political Geography, 94, 102573.
● Lumley-Sapanski, A., Schwarz, K., Valverde Cano, A. (2021). The Khartoum Process and human trafficking. Forced Migration Review, 68: pp. 46-48.
● Dotsey, S. and Lumley-Sapanski, A. (2021). Temporality, refugees, and housing: the effects of temporary assistance on refugee housing outcomes in Italy. Cities, (111), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.103100
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. (2020). Explaining contemporary patterns of residential mobility: Insights from resettled refugees in Chicago. Geoforum (116), p. 1-11.
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. (2019). The Survival Job Trap: Explaining Refugee Employment Outcomes in Chicago and the Contributing Factors. Journal of Refugee Studies, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/fez092
● Lumley-Sapanski, A., & Callahan, N. J. (2019). Mutual Benefit: How Vocational Training Programs Utilize Employer Engagement and Refugee Strengths to Facilitate Integration. Social Sciences, 8(5), 145.
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. and Fowler, C. S. (2017). “Planning Dissonance” and the Bases for Stably Diverse Neighborhoods: The Case of South Seattle. City & Community, 16: 86–115.

Chapters in Edited Volumes

● Lumley-Sapanski, A & Schwarz, K. (2022). ‘Increased vulnerability to human trafficking of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in the IGAD-North Africa region.’ In The COVID-19 impacts of COVID-19 on migration and migrants from a gender perspective, Chap. 10. International Organization for Migration. Available https://publications.iom.int/books/impacts-covid-19-migration-and-migrants-gender-perspective
● Valverde Cano, A., Schwarz, K., & Lumley Sapanski, A. (2022) Análisis de los factores de vulnerabilidad en los países de origen de las (presuntas) victimas de esclavitud moderna en Reino Unido. Retos del Estado de Derecho en materia de inmigración y terrorismo. (Eds) Ignacio Álvarez Arcá, Elena Avilés Hernández; Marta Fernández Cabrera (dir.), Carmen Rocío Fernández Díaz (dir.), págs. 429-456
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. (2018). “Refugee Resettlement’s Divergent Outcomes: The Role of the Social Network in Housing Type and Location.” In The Crux of Refugee Resettlement: Rebuilding Social Networks. Nelson, A., Willems, R. and Roedlach, A. (Eds.).

Policy Briefings

● Garbers, K, Lumley-Sapanski, A and Duggan G. (2022) Where will I live? Understanding how hosting could fit within current accommodation options for survivors of modern slavery. https://www.hopeathome.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-will-I-live-Report-V3-Final.pdf
● Garbers, K., Lumley-Sapanski, A and Brown, R. (2023) ‘Why do people host, why does hosting work and what can make hosting better?’ An Evaluation of the Homes for Ukraine Hosting Scheme.
● Lumley-Sapanski, A. et al (2021). ‘The Impacts of COVID-19 on Human Trafficking in Sudan: A case study of a pandemic in transition’ available at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/resources/reports-and-briefings/2021/may/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-human-trafficking-in-sudan.pdf
● Lumley-Sapanski, A., Schwarz, K. and Valverde Cano, A. (March 2021). ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Modern Slavery in Sudan: Emerging Findings briefing,’ available https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/resources/reports-and-briefings/2021/march/emerging-findings-sudan.pdf

Submissions to international courts, authoritative bodies, and other inquiries

● Lumley-Sapanski, A, Garbers, K, Brotherton, V. and Schwarz, K (2023) Trafficking in persons and protection of refugees, stateless persons and internally displaced persons (IDPs), submission to the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights
● Katarina Schwarz et al., ‘The Role of Organised Criminal Groups with Regard to Contemporary Forms of Slavery’, submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences (16 April 2021). https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Slavery/SRSlavery/Pages/cfi-role-organised-criminal-groups-slavery.aspx
● Lumley-Sapanski, A., Seymour, E., and Schwarz, K. ‘The Nexus between Forced Displacement and Contemporary Forms of Slavery’, submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences (15 March 2021). https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Slavery/SRSlavery/Pages/ReportHRC48.aspx

Lisa Mace, PhD, has taught A&P for more than 12 years after researching heart disease at Vanderbilt University. Her graduate work was completed at CU Boulder. She is passionate about helping her students understand the human body and the fundamentals of why we function as we do.

She has extensive experience at the NIH/National Center for Research Resources/Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research including as a principal investigator. In that role, she gained experience in translational/clinical research, investigator training, research optimization, regulatory compliance, patient safety, pilot studies aned innovation in research methodology.

Mace conducts her classes using an Active Learning Format with very little formal lecture. In her experience (in the relevant literature), students learn more when they are actively engaged in the classroom than they do in a passive lecture environment. 

Lisa Mace's Curriculum Vitae

Warren MacEvoy, PhD, completed his undergraduate work at Colorado Mesa University and then went on to earn Master of Science and PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Arizona in 1994. MacEvoy later completed post-doctoral work in Applied Mathematics at New York University in 1996. He specializes in high performance computing (Tesla GPU, multicore, massively parallel computers), computer security, artificial intelligence/robotics/industrial automation/autonomouse and remote systems and sensing.

He analyzes systems with mathematical and computer models muon collectors, nonlinear phenomena in high-energy lasers, nonlinear interactions in shallow water waves, electro-osmosis and electrophoresis, groundwater modeling, autonomous vehicle navigation and computer vision. MacEvoy also develops and reviews security software AES, Tesla-GPU-accelerated encryption, PRNG's, and RNGs. He has received honors and awards including an NSF Industrial Postdoc, and fellowships from WESAS, NEEDS and WSC.

MacEvoy has experience in software engineering, web and mobile development and operating systems. He has assisted with student projects in many areas including embedded and robotic systems and computer security. He is a Colorado Space Grant affiliate for space-related projects, and faculty consultant for the Maverick Innovation Center. MacEvoy also serves as Rocky Mountain Regional Director for the International Collegiate Programming Contest.

Warren MacEvoy's curriculum vitae

Mae MacIntire, PhD, teaches courses in Psychology, including Human Growth and Development, Learning and Behavior, Sport Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Psyc of Interviewing. She works with students from a Humanistic perspective, seeking to help them find their inner drive to learn and grow. MacIntire enjoys helping students find ways to connect the material to their own majors or solve problems in the world outside the classroom. She enjoys mentoring students on their way to becoming mental health or other social service providers. As a licensed psychologist with additional training in Sport Psychology, Gerontology, and Career Counseling, MacIntire's research interests vary across the clinical, counseling, career, and sport domains. Some of her recent research interests include 1) burnout and work-life balance among social service, mental health, medical, and athletics staff, 2) access and utilization of mental health services, 3) the psychological side of physical health, 4) the impact of mental health on work, sport and academics.

MacIntire taught her first college courses in 2004, which taught her 2 critical things: 1) Learning is a collaborative endeavor, not a one-way show. 2) Humility and kindness go a long way in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, she is a licensed psychologist, where her primary foci are on psychological assessment, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for treatment, helping athletes address concerns in both sport and life, and fostering her supervisees on their journey to becoming mental health providers.

She believes her teaching style may be best described as passionate and humanistic. She approaches students with respect and optimism in hopes that it helps to build the foundation they need to believe in themselves. MacIntire looks forward to learning from her students and to seeing their feedback as both courageous and a gift, as she endeavors to reach them in the most effective and helpful way. She gets her students to take their learning beyond the classroom by asking them to pose solutions to real problems at their workplaces, in their communities, or just generally in our world by using psychological principles and ideas. She encourages her students to think critically and she embraces their courage when they question the status quo. MacIntire teaches them how to source data on their own and how to think critically about how the research was conducted.

MacIntire also works as a licensed psychologist, engages in local, state and national efforts to improve access to mental health services, and volunteers with local events regularly.

Mae MacIntire's Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, Counseling Psychology: University of North Texas
MS, Athletic Counseling: Springfield College in Massachusetts 
BA, Psychology: The University of Cincinnati

Biography

Mae MacIntire, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and sport psychologist, and has been taught college courses since 2004. In her practice as a psychologist, MacIntire specializes in assessment and evaluation of psychological conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.). She primarily offers behavioral treatments and interventions, and has consulted with social service agencies and law enforcement.

Maclntire primarily teaches general psychology and human growth and development. For Maclntire, teaching isn't just about providing information; it's about mentoring and connecting with her students. She holds her students to a high standard and is committed to helping them exceed their expectations. Maclntire loves helping students realize their true potential. Her research interests are sport psychology, gratitude, mentoring, aging and mental health. 

Every year, she volunteers with the Special Olympics in Grand Junction and volunteers with Child and Migrant Services at their yearly fundraiser at the Palisade Wine Festival. MacIntire has also spoken at the Latimer House's Domestic Violence Academy twice in the past 3 years.

Mae Maclntire Curriculum Vitae

Dag Oivind Madsen, PhD, specializes in management and strategy. Before joining Colorado Mesa University, Madsen taught courses in strategy, management control systems, organizational behavior, and research methods at the University of South-Eastern Norway. He has also taught at several other Norwegian universities.

His research interests revolve around two main areas. The first area concerns how organizations design and use management control systems to implement their strategic objectives. The second area concerns the diffusion and evolution of management tools and techniques, such as the Balanced Scorecard, SWOT analysis, and Blue Ocean Strategy. He has published widely on management-related topics in international peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Madsen enjoys spending time with his family and two kids. Madsen also likes to travel internationally, especially to his native land of Norway. A surprising fact about Madsen is that he at one time was able to bench press more than 390 pounds.

Selected Publications

Johanson, D., Lepp, S., Abbas, A. & Madsen, D. Ø. 2023. The viral trajectory of a management idea: A longitudinal case study of the Balanced Scorecard in a Norwegian bank. Cogent Business & Management, 10(2), 2208704.

Wood, D. A., Achhpilia, M. P., …, Madsen, D.Ø. 2023, …, & Zoet, E. The ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence Chatbot: How Well Does It Answer Accounting Assessment Questions? Issues in Accounting Education, 1–28.

Sohail, S. S., Farhat, F., Himeur, Y., Nadeem, M., Madsen, D. Ø., Singh, Y., Atalla, S. & Mansoor, W. 2023. Decoding ChatGPT: A taxonomy of existing research, current challenges, and possible future directions. Journal of King Saud University – Computer and Information Sciences, 35(8), 101675

Sohail, S. S., Madsen, D. Ø., Himeur, Y. & Ashraf, M. 2023. Using ChatGPT to navigate ambivalent and contradictory research findings on artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 6.

Farhat, F., Sohail, S. S. & Madsen, D. Ø. 2023. How trustworthy is ChatGPT? The case of bibliometric analyses. Cogent Engineering, Volume 10, Issue 1, 2222988.

For a full overview, see Madsen’s Google Scholar profile: 

Caitlin E. Mahon is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Colorado Mesa University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport with her Bachelor of Science degree, and Honors College degree, in Dance, Environmental Science, and Political Science in 2014 and earned her Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance in 2017. She worked in the World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Science Department in 2013 and did conservation science work on the coasts of New Zealand. Previously, Mahon taught at Nazareth University from 2020 to 2023.

Mahon has performed for various acclaimed choreographers and companies, including Telly Fowler (Le Verdad Dance Company— Hip Hop), Dr. Zelma Badu Younge (Azaguno—Contemporary African Fusion), James Hansen (James Hansen Dance/Assemblage— Modern), Tammy Carrasco (WILD BEAST DANCE—Contemporary), Maurice Fraga (Ekilibre Dance Company—Post-Modern), Rose Beauchamp (Influx Dance- Contemporary), Clyde Afanju Morgan (SANKOFA— West African), Michelle Pritchard Dance (Modern), Frazee Feet Dance (Contemporary Ballet), and the Bill Evans (Bill Evans Dance Company— Tap).

She was awarded the UW Milwaukee Faculty Development Award (2019) & the Distinguished Professor Research Award (2017) for her choreographic & theoretical research on re-defining modes of peaceful embodiment, through the lens of Krumping. This research was influenced by her appointment as co-artistic director – alongside Master Khalid Saleem — of the SANKOFA: African Dance & Drum Ensemble (2015). Caitlin has implemented and created Hip Hop (theory & embodiment) programs at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Syracuse University, and Nazareth University. Along with teaching, Caitlin is the Artistic Director of MAYHEM//dance which premiered at NYC’s Mark Morris Dance Center in 2017.

Courses taught by Mahon include Hip Hop (theory & embodiment), Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Dance and Culture, History and Philosophy of Dance, West African Dance Elements, Choreography I, and tap.

Mahon believes in facilitating the discovery of students’ bodies and lives in new manners. She aims to guide students in a safe and open environment where the art form of dance can be studied, investigated, and explored while simultaneously demonstrating how dance is interdisciplinary and intersects with our multifaceted world.

Mahon's awareness of not possessing all the answers is invaluable to her teaching. This transparency grants students permission in her classes to celebrate their manner of thinking even if it counters her own. Collaborative pedagogy and individual thought enrich students’ educational experiences and continue to enrich her own because her students continue to teach her so much.

She fosters an environment of mutual respect between students and the teacher. While valuing the individual in the classroom, she never desires for her students to become complacent; therefore, she places immense value on rigor: physical rigor in modern, West African, and hip hop classes, thoughtful rigor in dance history classes, as well as creative rigor in dance composition classes. She invites students to push themselves in their ways to become more realized versions of their beings.

Choreography influences theoretical research and theoretical research influences choreography. Her research as a choreographer is directly influenced by her interest in demonstrations and protests, from the past to the present, and how they are an extension of dance through their use of choreography. She aims to present how more traditional forms of dance choreography can be an extension of protest, abstract images, and powerful symbols.

Published Work, Creative Work, Service Work:

2023

• SMEARED… — Dances at MuCCC — Rochester, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company
• Meerkats and Puffins — WNY Benefit for Domestic Violence (Gracious Dance) — Rochester, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company
• Meerkats and Puffins — Vision of Sound NYS Tour— Syracuse, NY, Geneva, NY & Clinton, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company

2022

• stay in yOUR lane— Key Bank Rochester Fringe Festival — Rochester, NY — Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company
• Magnanimous Statues — Movement and Dance Festival— Rochester, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company
• Magnanimous Statues — Somatic Dance Conference— Geneva, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company
• Still Lives Here — HWS Faculty Dance Concert— Geneva, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon and Kelly Johnson
• Magnanimous Statues — Vision of Sound — Rochester, NY & Syracuse, NY— Choreographed by Caitlin E. Mahon, MAYHEM//dance Company

2020

• Collide//escape Kaleidoscope — Nazareth College — Rochester, NY
• Opaque Vantage Point— Women’s Work Festival— Detroit, MI
• OCCUPATION— Fall Dances UW-Milwaukee (Afro-Jazz)
• Opaque Vantage Point— Women’s Work Festival— Detroit, MI— MAYHEM//dance Company (Afro-Fusion/ Contemporary Jazz)

2019

• HIVE— BADA Showcase— Center for Performance Research New York, NY
• HIVE— WOVEN— Nazareth College Rochester, NY

2018

• ReSound— Rochester Fringe Festival— MuCCC Rochester, NY (Afro-Fusion)
• Aim, Juxtaposed. Over— Rochester Fringe Festival— MuCCC Rochester, NY in collaboration with Marissa Aucoin, MFA
• Conditions (Except) — Rochester Fringe Festival— MuCCC Rochester, NY (Afro-Fusion)
• Kinetic Tessellations— Rochester Fringe Festival— MuCCC Rochester, NY
• Conditions— HWS Faculty Concert— Gearan Center for the Performing Arts Center Geneva, NY (Afro-Fusion)
• Kinetic Tessellations— HWS Faculty Concert— Gearan Center for the Performing Arts Center Geneva, NY
• Kinetic Tessellations— Niagara County Community College Niagara, NY

2017

• (with)Stand/Stand(with) – Rochester Fringe Festival— MuCCC Rochester, NY
• I Pledge All(eg)iance (Excerpt)—REVISTED XI—Mark Morris Brooklyn, NY - MAYHEM//dance company
• Fire Escape— Graduation Dance Concert —solo commissioned by BFA Senior Lauren Gilmore
• I Pledge All(eg)iance
• Trudging
• Marching
• (with)Standing
• Rising
• (MFA Thesis Work)— Presented at Visual Studies Workshop Rochester, NY— navigating the spectrum of what peaceful embodiment can be

Riley Mangan is an assistant professor of occupational therapy, specializing in physical rehabilitation. Her clinical experience includes acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and outpatient, and leadership experience as Director of Rehabilitation at a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Mangan’s scholarly interests include critical care, liver disease, and cognition. She continues to practice at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

Dr. Riley Mangan's Curriculum Vitae 

Biography

Nikki Mantyla never wanted to leave school, so she didn't! She loves the expansive, energizing atmosphere of college campuses where conversations revolve around exciting ideas.

Mantyla mainly teaches first-year composition classes, encouraging students to explore their writing process as they investigate a variety of interesting topics. Sometimes she also gets to teach creative writing, mythology, grammar or literature to spice things up. In any of her courses, she is passionate about creating a classroom community where everyone learns from each other through discussions and activities. Her teaching motto is "Mix it up. Keep it real. Make it fun."

Mantyla's academic interests include pedagogy & course design, novel writing, rhetorical grammar, and punctuation mechanics. She also has a geeky curiosity for deep dives of all kinds (psych, linguistics, archetypes, you name it).

Outside of academia, she loves DIY home renovation and camping in the woods. In her spare time, she's taken up French and cello to expand her language and music mastery. She appreciates how trying new things stretches her mind/heart/body and reinforces the humility of being a beginner.

Teaching Philosophy

Mantyla sees teaching as an art form. It requires blending knowledge transfer with human connection, quantitative assignments with qualitative perspective, technical instruction with emotional awareness, requirements with leniency, structure with creativity, mind with heart. She sees education as an opportunity for transformation by sharing experiences and stretching expertise together. And she sees it, of course, as an evolutionary step toward students' futures, in which they will need certain writing skills that she can help them improve.

Mantyla also believes that the best learning happens through experimentation. She wants them to "muck about in sentences," as famous author Annie Dillard once described the art of writing, so that they get to discover for themselves the many methods of giving life to the words on the page.

Published Work

Mantyla helped create the OER textbook "Open English @ SLCC" by writing several of the essays as well as editing, transferring and formatting her colleague's essays into the online work for Salt Lake Community College. Her articles there include "Why Six Core Concepts? So You Can Write ANYTHING," "Memorability: Six Keys for Success," "Punctuation, Memes & Choice," and "Movies Explain the World (of Writing)."

She is currently working on a similar OER project called "Composition at CMU" to pull together the best available writing articles and enhance them for optimal student engagement.

Nikki Mantyla's Curriculum Vitae

K. Bridget Marshall earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Utah in 2012. Prior to obtaining her doctoral degree, she practiced as a master’s prepared pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) certified in primary care for almost 16 years. Her clinical experience has been in public health, private practice and on an Indian reservation where she was a primary care provider in the women’s and children’s clinic. Marshall brings many years of clinical experience to the teaching arena. She was responsible for developing the pediatric component of the master’s to DNP curriculum for family nurse practitioners. In addition to primary care, She has special interests in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, and increasing services to children and families in rural and underserved areas. She participates on the Graduate Curriculum Committee and in interprofessional education (IPE) at CMU. In addition to service and teaching, Marshall oversees the Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE's) and Telehealth opportunities for graduate nursing students. For recent presentations, selected works and examples of scholarship, please see her C.V.

Marshall's teaching philosophy is to use multiple modalities to engage students' different learning styles. She employs case studies for real-life examples when appropriate. Marshall believes that learning is a shared environment that begins with each student’s own experiences in combination with didactic content for the goal of student growth.

K. Bridget Marshall's Curriculum Vitae

Heather Martinez has 10+ years experience working within a global manufacturing firm in various sales and operations roles. She is an entrepreneur and has been instructing at CMU for the past two years.

Martinez is passionate about all facets of business, and is focused on building outstanding business skills for CMU's students' success.

In CMU's Davis School of Business, Martinez instructs courses such as Intro to Business and Business Ethics, both online and on campus. Her courses encourage student participation and turning lectures into conversations to help solidify a center of knowledge within each student. She believes in the ethos of lifelong learning and strives to incorporate various subjects and examples in her instructions.

Heather Martinez Curriculum Vitae

Biography

Stephanie Matlock received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado-Boulder and her Master of Science from Montana State University in 1993. Her specialty is in vertebrate ecology. She teaches classes in primate biology, human osteology, wildlife management and desert ecology. Matlock is a co-advisor for the CMU Fish and Wildlife Club. Her research interests include human skeletal remains, habitat usage and the ecology of deer mice.

Tracy Matthews, MS MLS(ASCP)CM, received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and a Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota. 

Matthews is a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) with more than 20 years of experience. She began her employment at Colorado Mesa University in 2011 developing the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) and Phlebotomy programs. Currently, she is the program coordinator and primary instructor for both programs. 

She maintains her MLS credentials through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and is an active professional member of the Colorado chapter of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Melissa Mattner was born and raised in southwest lower Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Management from Spring Arbor University, her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University and her Doctorate of Health Science from the University of Indianapolis.

She fell in love with the Western Slope while completing a travel contract in 2012 and was finally able to fulfill her dream of becoming a Colorado resident, moving here in 2017. With 13 years of occupational therapy experience, she also brings a passion for addressing feeding and developmental issues in 0-3 years olds. She continues to be a part of EI Colorado, working in eligibility evaluation.

LinkedIn 

Curriculum Vitae

Nicole Mattocks, PhD, currently teaches Advanced Practice with Individuals and Families as well as Research and Program Evaluation in the MSW program. Her love for teaching began in her first academic position over 10 years ago at the University of North Carolina Wilmington; since then she has continued to teach at various undergraduate and graduate social work programs across the country, always honing her teaching skills and tailoring her approach to the communities which her students will serve. Mattocks maintains an active research agenda, with a focus on evaluating and developing innovative approaches to mental health treatment. Her more recent scholarship examines the intersection between the natural environment and human health, with a focus on nature-assisted therapies and strategies for integrating nature into social work practice and education.

Mattocks has been teaching and practicing in the field of social work for over 15 years. She has taught courses on research and program evaluation, community organizing, direct practice with individuals and groups, social welfare policy, and diversity and social justice, at the undergraduate and graduate levels across numerous social work programs. Her practice experience began as a community organizer in under-resourced neighborhoods of Baltimore City and eastern North Carolina. Now she works part-time in a telehealth-based private practice as a psychotherapist for individuals and couples. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and Motivational Interviewing and specializes in trauma treatment, depression, and anxiety.

Mattocks uses a combination of authenticity and experiential education principles to create a supportive, engaging, and constructive learning environment for her students. Additionally, her teaching experience has demonstrated the value of using a variety of teaching methods to meet the learning needs of all learning styles in the classroom. And whenever it’s possible, she likes to take the class outside!

Mattocks’s recent scholarly work has focused on highlighting the ethical imperative to integrate topics of environmental justice and climate change into social work education and practice. She is also collaborating with colleagues at the University of Maryland School of Social Work on a multi-year international study investigating the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of fisherfolk in Zambia, Africa. Additionally, Mattocks continues to collaborate with her Postdoctoral Mentor at the University of Maryland on a series of federally-funded research studies evaluating the effectiveness of a novel telemedicine intervention for improving medication adherence among severe and persistent mentally ill (SPMI) populations.

Nicole Mattocks' Curriculum Vitae

Education 

MS, Secondary Education- Science: University of Colorado
MS, Geology: Texas Christian University
BA, Geology, Miami University 

Biography 

Joseph Mauch is currently teaching Career Math - MATH 107 and Topics in Math - MATC 096. He taught 31 years at the high school level, rotating between teaching science, math and special education. His teaching philosophy may be summed up by caring, sharing and daring - he truly cares about and respects his students as adults.

In his classroom, everyone shares learning together, as more heads are better than one, Mauch challenges his students to get beyond their perceived mathematical preconceptions.

Amy Maurer (neé Settle), PhD, is originally from Loveland, Colorado, and attended Colorado Mesa University for her undergraduate degree in chemistry. Following graduation, Maurer completed a summer internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, which led her to attend the nearby Colorado School of Mines for graduate school to study applied chemistry.

During graduate school, Maurer performed the majority of her thesis research at NREL, investigating catalytic upgrading of biomass-derived platform chemicals for commodity applications. Maurer received her doctorate for her thesis entitled "Catalytic Upgrading of Muconates for Renewable Chemical Applications."

Upon earning her PhD, Maurer completed a postdoctoral research position at NREL. Subsequently, she entered the industry as an analytical chemist at Johns Manville Technical Center in Littleton, Colorado.

In spring of 2021, after nearly two years of working at Johns Manville, Maurer realized that she wanted to return to academia, and she left her industry position to become an assistant professor of chemistry at Colorado Mesa University.

Maurer’s teaching philosophy is focused on a student-centered learning environment and she encourages ongoing communication with and feedback from her students.

Kathryn J. McClain, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of American Literature in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication at Colorado Mesa University. Currently, she teaches American literature courses, composition courses, and Maverick Milestone courses on literature, sociology and gender studies. Overall, her courses allow students to immerse themselves in the narratives around them to engage with their present reality. Students are therefore encouraged to use their knowledge about literature, scholarship, rhetorical writings, and adaptations to create their own research-based creative projects.

Her primary areas of research include 19th-20th century American literature, adaptation studies, masculinities studies, and contemporary popular culture. Her dissertation research focused on contemporary adaptations of early 20th century American protest literature; she was most recently published in Adaptation, and her current project considers representations of authorized grief and adapted violence in 21st century adaptations of American literature.

McClain is also a founding editor for the website Adaptation Today. Her work for the website primarily focuses on peer-reviewed pedagogical resources for fellow teachers interested in adaptations within the college classroom setting. Such materials include syllabi, assignments, lesson plans, and contributions to the website’s blog “What I Learned Teaching Adaptation Today."

Kathryn J. McClain’s CV

Richelle McCollum teaches clinical hours for NURS 429L, NURS 431L, NURS 449L and NURS 470L. She believes that all hands-on experiences are crucial in order for nursing students to obtain the highest quality of education throughout their program. She encourages students to ask questions consistently, as nurses are always learning and will gain new knowledge even after they are caring for patients independently.

McCollum has been a nurse for four years and has enjoyed continuing her education and obtaining new knowledge about the nursing field as well as focusing on the best ways to educate new, upcoming nurses in order to prepare them adequately before they graduate. She has taught as a clinical instructor for one semester and is excited to continue teaching upcoming generations of nurses.

Clinical instruction is extremely hands-on, and McCollum encourages all students to see as many sides of nursing as they possibly can throughout their clinical hours. That is the best time to experience different specialties and understand how extremely diverse nursing can be.

Praised for his “superb” and “very expressive playing,” Jeffrey McCray, DMA, is the newly-appointed instructor of bassoon at Colorado Mesa University. He has served in similar positions at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University-Pueblo and Chadron State College in Nebraska. He is also principal bassoon of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, principal bassoon of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and he is a member of the bassoon section of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He has performed extensively as a guest with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Omaha Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra.

McCray previously held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Baylor University, Western Michigan University, Albion College and the University of Michigan-Flint. His primary bassoon teachers were Robert Barris, Bernard Garfield and Michael Kroth and he holds degrees from Northwestern University, Temple University and Michigan State University.

McCray is an active performer and clinician, having performed or presented at numerous conferences of music professionals such as the International Double Reed Society, College Music Society, International Clarinet Association, International Horn Society, Nebraska Music Educators Association and Colorado Music Educators Association. He has taught waterlessness and performed recitals at many prestigious schools of music, including Baylor University, Colorado State University, Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam), Michigan State University, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of North Texas, University of Northern Colorado, University of Oklahoma and the Instituto Nacional de Música in Costa Rica.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

PhD, Occupational Science: University of Southern California
MA, Bioethics and Health Policy: Loyola University Chicago
MA, Occupational Therapy: University of Southern California
BA, Education: Arizona State University 

Biography

Dr. McDonald arrived at CMU in the fall of 2018 and is leading the development of the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program. Prior to the program launch, you may find her teaching courses in Human Growth & Development, Wellness, Animal-Assisted Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education and the first of its kind Milestone Course: Play & Leisure Across the Lifespan.

Dr. McDonald has experience implementing team-based learning (TBLC). This student-centric, evidence-based approach to classroom teaching improves student participation and learning across an array of topics. The past two years she has received funding from the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative to incorporate everyday ethics' topics into a variety of values-driven and ethics-focused learning activities.

Dr. McDonald is the past-chairperson of AOTA's Ethics Commission. She has presented at state, national and international professional conferences on topics related to healthcare research as well as practice-based issues in occupational therapy.

Her research interests include tele-health, population health, play and leisure as well as evidence-based teaching strategies in higher education.

When she is not immersed in developing the OTD program, Dr. McDonald spends time enjoying her family and the beauty of the Western Slope.

Special Certifications/Credentials

Credentialed Academic Leader (ALC)
American Occupational Therapy Association
Rockville, Maryland

Harvard Global Clinical Scholar Research Training Certificate
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts

Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist
State of Colorado
Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist
State of California

Advanced Swallowing Certification (SWC)

Sensory Integration & Praxis Test (SIPT) Certification

Education

ME, University of Colorado Boulder
BS, Colorado Mesa University
AS, Colorado Mesa University

Biography

Max McFarland is a native of western Colorado. He started his professional career in 1992 after graduating from college in the environmental remediation industry with a focus on safety, quality assurance and construction management. In 1998 he switched to the manufacturing industry where he was a quality engineer and later the quality manager at 3D Systems. In this industry he used statistical techniques to monitor and improve the manufacturing processes and the quality of the products. He has worked on a wide variety of products from making thermoplastic inks for 3D printers to UV Lasers.

In 2009 he started teaching math, statistical and engineering classes. Because of his background he is able to provide real-world situations where these topics apply in the daily activities in the technical fields.

Education

MEd, Organizational Leadership: Colorado State University
BA, Communication: Colorado State University

Biography 

The courses McGee teaches are business communication and human resource management. In addition to teaching at CMU, she works at HopeWest Hospice & Palliative Care in the Development Department. During the years, McGee has had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles in both the business and nonprofit sector. McGee feels that this has provided her with much experience and value to add to her lectures.  

McGee grew up in Grand Junction she has a deep love for the surrounding community. For college, McGee attended Colorado State University, she received her undergraduate in communications and her masters in organizational leadership. McGee has a strong passion for leadership development and feels that everyone is a leader; we just all lead a bit differently.

McGee has two kids named Declan and Vivian and she loves being a mom. In addition, she enjoys camping, hiking, being active and a good cup of coffee.

Denise McKenney, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and went on to earn her doctoral degree from North Carolina State University, Raleigh. Her specialty is in microbial genetics. Some of the classes McKenney teaches are Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Her research interests include microbial diversity in soils.

Christopher McKim, DMA, baritone, currently serves as the Director of Vocal Studies at Colorado Mesa University. He was previously the head of the voice area at the University of Puget Sound, and has been a member of the vocal faculty at Metropolitan State College in Denver.

In Grand Junction, he has performed with the Western Colorado Chorale, High Desert Opera, The Theatre Project, and has music directed at Grand Junction High School.

McKim has performed and trained extensively in music theatre, performing in more than 30 different professional productions of musical theatre and opera. Since musical theatre continues to develop stylistically, McKim considers himself a continuing student of musicals: learning, performing and teaching as new shows are written. He has recently received pedagogical training in contemporary music styles such as jazz, country, rock and pop.

An experienced interpreter of opera and operetta, McKim has performed in France with the Lyrique en Mer festival at Belle-Ile, as well as opera companies in Colorado, Arizona, Kansas and Maine. He has performed operatic stage works ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart as well as many contemporary works including premiers of two American operatic roles: Billy Blythe (Bill Clinton) in the opera Billy Blythe by Bonnie Montgomery and Florentino Ralston in Sara McKinnon by Mark Medoff and Randall Shinn. He is particularly proud to be an active part of Grand Junctions creative community and has created lead roles in two original Operas based on Grand Junction History (One Bike & Eclipse). He also performs extensively in the genre of operetta, and holds a great fondness for the shows by Gilbert & Sullivan – particularly The Mikado, Patience, and The Gondoliers.

McKim finds teaching to be richly rewarding. As a teacher, he works to engage students in a process of self discovery and learning. He holds his students to very high standards in the studio, on the stage and in the classroom, and continually challenges them while offering support. He believes it is his task to find effective ways to communicate concepts that are often complex or intangible to his students. He approaches this challenge with a thorough understanding of the voice as an instrument and combines that with his knowledge of appropriate music styles.

View Chris McKim's curriculum vitae

Dylan McKnight is a first generation PhD graduate whose teaching interests include all things mathematics, applied or otherwise. He employs active learning methods to help students build their knowledge. For research, he enjoys investigating complex systems of partial differential equations primarily related to fluids and plate structures, and is happy to mentor interested undergraduate students. Outside the office, he enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, and biking.

Dylan McKnight's Curriculum Vitae

Sara McKnight, PhD is an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at CMU and teaches introductory and service-level courses, such as Mathematical Investigation (MATH 110) and College Algebra (MATH 113). In the classroom, she thinks that students learn best when they engage with the material, so she utilizes an active learning framework. This allows her to interact with students on a more personal level and help each individual address any difficulties during class time. The approach also lets her adapt her preparation and presentation to best help the students in the classroom throughout the semester.

Dr. McKnight's research interests are in applied partial differential equations and numerical analysis. In particular, her recent dissertation focused on a fluid-structure interaction problem that has applications to blood flow and the design of a bioartificial pancreas. She is continuing to work with collaborators on this model.

Outside of academics, Dr. McKnight enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, and running. She also enjoys going on bike rides and playing games with her husband.

Sara McKnight's Curriculum Vitae 

Education

PhD, Purdue University
MS, Georgia Institute of Technology
Master Professionnel, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (ENSAM), Metz, France
BS, Walla Walla University

Biography

Nathan McNeill's research interests are primarily in the area of engineering education. Specifically, how the educational environment and various resources (cognitive, epistemic and physical resources such as textual materials) support student learning. He is also interested in thermal energy systems.

Selected Publications

Cox, M. F., Cawthorne, J., McNeill, N. J., Cekic, O., Frye, M., & Stacer, M. (2011).
Assessing the Pedagogical Impact of the VaNTH Engineering Research Center on
Faculty and Postdoctoral Professionals. International Journal for the Scholarship of
Teaching and Learning, 5(2), 1-19.

Cox, M. F., Hahn, J., McNeill, N., Cekic, O., Zhu, J., & London, J. (2011). Enhancing the
Quality of Engineering Graduate Teaching Assistants through Multidimensional
Feedback. Advances in Engineering Education, 2(3), 1-20.

Kyle McQuade, PhD, completed his undergraduate education at Millikin University in 1996 where he majored in chemistry and biology, and earned his doctoral degree in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2003. His specialty is in the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. McQuade teaches classes in immunology and cellular biology. He has conducted research on the roles of post-translational modifications in protein function.

Carrie McVean, DVM, obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and then worked in small animal and emergency medicine practices in Oregon. In 1993 she began teaching courses at Mesa State College. She teaches courses at CMU which include: General Human Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Pathophysiology, Ethology and the Nature and Philosophy of Science.

Carrie enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking and birding.

Jeff Meese earned a bachelor's of science in industrial technology from Colorado State University and a master's in information systems from the University of Maryland. He served in the Air Force for four years as active duty in computer maintenance. 

Meese has more than 23 years of industry experience working for a few ERP software companies, including JD Edwards, Peoplesoft and Oracle. 

When he is not teaching, Meese enjoys playing fantasy football, fly fishing and hiking. 

Education

PhD, Bioengineering: Colorado State University
BS, Biomedical Engineering: Milwaukee School of Engineering

Biography 

Michelle Mellenthin, PhD, teaches a variety of classes at CMU, including Intro to Circuits, Computational Problem Solving, Circuits as Systems, Electrical Design Lab, Digital Logic and Solidworks.

Mellenthin has more than 10 years of experience creating and testing medical device prototypes and programming in a variety of languages. Her experience in the biomedical field allows her to address the unique challenges of working with small and hard-to-measure signals. She particularly enjoys working with students to design measurement systems.

Stephen Merino, PhD, received a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University and a Master of Science from the University of Michigan, both in neuroscience. While at Michigan, Merino found himself increasingly drawn toward sociological questions about society and human behavior, particularly those centering on race and religion. He made the disciplinary leap at Penn State University, where he received a Master of Arts and PhD in sociology.

As an associate professor of sociology, Merino teaches General Sociology, Social Problems, Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Inequality, Sociology of Religion, Self and Society, Research Methods and Environmental Sociology. He serves as the faculty representative for CMU's chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the sociology honor society. He also hosts monthly movie nights for students in sociology courses.

Broadly speaking, in his research, he studies how religion and race shape people’s experiences with and reactions to their social environments. Much of his work has examined religious influences on social attitudes and responses to religious and racial diversity. He has also researched and written on religion and LGBTQ issues. One of his recent publications examines religious influences on gun control attitudes in the United States. His most recent publication investigates the role of religious participation in fostering contact across meaningful social divides, like race and social class.

Merino grew up in the Denver area before undergraduate and graduate studies took him away from his home state, along with four years of teaching in south Texas after finishing his PhD. A lifelong Broncos and Rockies fan, rugby referee, sci-fi and fantasy nerd, D&D fanatic, backpacker and lover of the outdoors, he is thrilled to be back in Colorado and teaching at CMU.

As a teacher, Merino seeks to provide students with the concepts, tools and confidence to view the social world and their experiences in it from a sociological perspective. His classroom approach is guided by the belief that through dialogue our ideas are challenged, expanded and refined. He strives to design coursework and assignments that challenge students, stress sociological methods and make course content relevant to their lives. Moreover, he seeks to help students be stronger writers, more well-rounded citizens, and active, critical consumers of sociological research. When the course ends, he wants students to take with them a portable, scientific, yet empathetic approach to understanding social issues

Stephen Merino, Curriculum Vitae

Selected Publications

Merino, Stephen M. 2019. “Religious Involvement and Bridging Social Ties: The Role of Congregational Participation.” Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry 1:291-308.

Merino, Stephen M. 2018. “God and Guns: Examining Religious Influences on Gun Control Attitudes in the United States.” Religions 9:189.

Merino, Stephen M. 2014. “Social Support and the Religious Dimensions of Close Ties.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 53:595-612.

Merino, Stephen M. 2013. “Religious Social Networks and Volunteering: Examining Recruitment via Close Ties.” Review of Religious Research 55:509-527.

Merino, Stephen M. 2013. “Contact with Gays and Lesbians and Same-Sex Marriage Support: The Moderating Role of Social Context.” Social Science Research 42:1156-1166.

Merino, Stephen M. 2012. “Irreligious Socialization? The Adult Religious Preferences of Individuals Raised with No Religion.” Secularism and Nonreligion 1:1-16.

Education

ME, University of Colorado Boulder
BSEE, New Mexico State University

Biography 

Steven Metheny has been teaching computer science, business and mathematics classes at Colorado Mesa University since 1991.

He completed his bachelor’s and master's degrees in electrical engineering. He is currently the Vice President of Power Supply and Management Services at the Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA).

Metheny applies both his academic and professional experience to his teaching. A professional engineer, he has extensive experience in electric cooperatives, municipal electric utilities, public power agencies, and investor-owned electric utilities. He is a LEED AP credential engineer and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Professional Engineers of Colorado, and Association of Energy Engineers.

Actively involved in the Montrose community, he is a past president of the Montrose Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is an advocate for strengthening the science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum of the local school district.

Metheny's interests include outdoor recreation in the nearby mountains, computer technology, sports and spending time with his family.

Daniel Meyer continues to practice on the Western Slope since 2006 currently practicing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, working previously in primary care and pain management. Meyer has been with the CMU PA program since 2018.

Meyer's teaching philosophy includes a holistic approach. He teaches his PA students to consider the patient’s comprehensive, integrated wellness. He believes treatment should involve the intellectual, physical and emotional health of each unique individual. He believes students respond best to positive reinforcement and invests in each student, which helps facilitate corrective feedback.

In addition to being a professor, Meyer values his time with his family. He has four children that keep him on the move while supporting their activities. Meyer is involved with serving at his local church. Meyer loves staying active with the great mountain biking in this area and enjoys the bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities available here on the Western Slope.

Daniel Meyer Curriculum Vitae 

Education

PhD, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
BS, Eastern Illinois University

Biography

Chad Middleton, PhD, received his Bachelor of Science in physics with a minor in mathematics from Eastern Illinois University and went on to earn his PhD in physics from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. A professor of physics at Colorado Mesa University, Middleton teaches Fundamental Mechanics, Electromagnetism and Optics, Intermediate Dynamics, General Relativity and Senior Research, among others.

Middleton is actively involved in theoretical research in the area of Einstein's theory of general relativity, particularly in cosmology in higher-dimensional space times. In addition, he has worked on a variety of research projects involving CMU undergraduate students on topics including the physics of kayaking, the dynamics of a bubble rising through a fluid, the high road/low road demonstration, on circular orbits of a marble on a warped spandex fabric, and on elliptical-like orbits on a warped spandex fabric.

Chad's Colorado Mesa Web Page

Curriculum Vitae

Selected Publications

"Anisotropic evolution of D-dimensional FRW spacetime", C. Middleton, B.A. Brouse, S.D. Jackson, Eur. Phys. J. C (2019) 79: 982, arXiv:1902.00130

"Elliptical-like orbits on a warped spandex fabric: A theoretical/experimental undergraduate research project", C. Middleton and D. Weller, Am. J. Phys.84 (4), April 2016, gr-qc/1601.03996

"The 2D surfaces that generate Newtonian and general relativistic orbits with small eccentricities", Am. J. Phys.83 (7), July 2015, gr-qc/1506.03342

"Circular orbits on a warped spandex fabric", C. Middleton and M. Langston, Am. J. Phys.82 (4), April 2014, physics.class-ph/1312.3893

"Anisotropic evolution of 5D Friedmann-Robertson-Walker spacetime", C. Middleton and E. Stanley, Phys. Rev. D 84, 085013 (2011), gr-qc/1107.1828

"The High Road/Low Road Demonstration or Birds on a Wire", Jacob Cady and Chad A. Middleton, J. of Undergraduate Research in Physics, 22, (Dec. 2009)

"Kayaking Physics: The Tipping Angle", Daniel R. Rottinghaus and Chad A. Middleton, J. of Undergraduate Research in Physics, 22, (Aug. 2009)

"Solutions of Higher Dimensional Gauss-Bonnet FRW Cosmology", K. Andrew, B. Bolen, and C. Middleton, Gen. Rel. and Grav., Vol. 39, Num. 12 (2007) pps. 2061-2071; gr-qc/0708.0373

Greg Mikolai received his Bachelor of Art in Television Production from the College of Saint Thomas. He spent many years working in the video production industry with some years spent working as a technical writer.

In 1999, Mikolai began working for Rocky Mountain PBS, KRMJ-TV in Grand Junction as a producer, and earned six Colorado Broadcaster Association awards and two Emmys. Mikolai became an instructor/video producer for Colorado Mesa University in the fall of 2011 and teaches the video production courses for the mass communication program, as well as working on video projects for the university and KRMJ-TV.

Eric Miles, PhD, is an alumnus of Colorado Mesa University, graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in math. He completed a master's degree and doctorate in math at Colorado State University.

Miles teaches a variety of math classes, making them participatory by giving problems to work during class either individually or in groups. He'll give straight-forward applications of the material just discussed, but also likes to give strange examples where something seems to go wrong, which gives the class something to talk about.

He's interested in how geometry and form plays with the very structured world of algebra. His research is mainly theoretical, but applied and computational problems interest him as well.

Visit Eric Miles' website

Jenny Showalter-Miller is a dance educator and choreographer whose work has been performed in Sweden, France and various locations nationwide.

She has served as a full-time or adjunct faculty member at nine universities and been a guest artist for more than 15 college and high school programs.

She is artistic co-director of Treeline Dance Works (IL and NYC) and Paramount Dance Project (IL).

Showalter-Miller is a certified evans teacher (2011) and danced with the Bill Evans Dance Company for many years. Her love for dance pairs with her love of fitness and wellness specializing in training and injury prevention.

She holds an MFA in Dance from The College at Brockport and a BS in Exercise Science from Western Illinois University. She is a certified pilates instructor, personal trainer, registered somatic movement therapist, childbirth educator and birth doula.

Les Miller is a certified philosophical practitioner. He teaches most of the philosophy courses at Colorado Mesa University, including Critical Thinking, Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, Introduction to Logic, Examined Life, Roots of Western Thought, Major Thinker, Major Works and Major Issues. In addition, he works as the reviews editor for Philosophical Practice, the journal of the American Philosophical Practitioners' Association.

He thrives on helping students and clients learn to flourish and live consciously through mindfulness and lizard brain taming. Much of this work involves metacognition and so focuses on improving students' ability to think, which then gives them a better perspective on their own thought, and shows them how philosophical approaches can help them improve their thinking and daily lives directly. When the students themselves, via their beliefs and thought processes, become the subject of a course, they come to see how philosophy can be relevant to them, which causes them to be more engaged and responsive.

Working as a philosophical practitioner with friends and clients has directly influenced how Miller structures his courses to be much more student-centered and relevant to students' lives by bringing into the classroom proven solutions to cognitive issues. The inclusion of mindfulness into many courses allows him to send his courses and material outside the classroom and into the lives of his students wherever they may go.

Miller believes that the whole point of education is the cultivation of the intellect; students should both learn to think and come to desire the ability to think clearly, after which they actually will think about themselves, their beliefs, their values, their goals. Thus, education is to be strictly distinguished from job training. His job is not to train workers, but instead to help students become more open, thoughtful, aware, and competent people - which benefits everyone, not just their future employers.

When students see that they get immediate benefit from locating and then dropping maladaptive beliefs and changing faulty thought processes, they naturally become more engaged, interested, and invested in their education. Some students feel frustration in Miller's courses because he insists that the student is responsible for her own learning, so does not provide "ready-made" answers, and instead forces the student to do the hard work of thinking through difficult and complex issues herself. That is, after all, the whole point of learning to think clearly.

Some of Miller's scholarly interests include:

• Post-Heideggerian structural ontology
• The ethics of intellectual property
• Metaphor in philosophy
• Philosophical Counseling/Philosophical Practice
• Mindfulness
• Motivational Interviewing as pedagogy

Selected Work

Publications

Book chapter: "Philosophical Practice in the Classroom, or How I Kill Zombies for a Living," in Current Issues in Philosophical Pedagogy (forthcoming from the Philosophy Documentation Center).

Critical review: McCown, Donald, Diane Reibel, and Marc S. Micozzi, Teaching Mindfulness: A Practical Guide for Clinicians and Educators, New York: Springer, 2010, in Philosophical Practice vol. 10.2 (July 2015) 1612 - 1615.

Critical review: McMullin, Irene. Time and the Shared World: Heidegger on Social Relations, Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 2013, in Philosophical Practice vol. 9.2 (July 2014) 1402 - 1405.

Critical review: Stolorow, Robert D., World, Affectivity, Trauma: Heidegger and Post-Cartesian Psychoanalysis, New York: Routledge, 2011, in Philosophical Practice, 8.1 (March 2013) 1169 - 1172.

Critical review: Irven, Donovan, Two Days of Dying, Philadelphia: Streisguth, 2011, in Philosophical Practice, 7.2 (November, 2012).

Conference Presentations/Papers

"Philosophical Practice: What it is, How it Works, and How to Incorporate it into your Philosophical Classroom," for the AAPT 20th Biennial International Conference on Teaching Philosophy, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Collegeville, MN, July-August, 2014.

"Lizard Brain Taming: Reducing Student Resistance and Improving Engagement through Metacognition," AAPT 19th Biennial International Conference on Teaching Philosophy, St. Edward's University, Austin, TX, July, 2012.

"Self and Identity" Mesa County Public Library District, February 2011.

"Applied Philosophy: An Effective Introduction to Philosophy for Non-Majors," AAPT 18th Biennial International Conference on Teaching Philosophy, Coastal Carolina University, Conway/Myrtle Beach, SC, July-August, 2010.

"Motivational Interviewing as a Pedagogical Method in the Philosophy Classroom," AAPT 17th Biennial International Conference on Teaching Philosophy, University of Guelph, August, 2008.

Creative Performances

"Life, Love, and Death," Second Front Performance Group streamed live to Present Music - Life, Love, and Death event at Turner Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI. With Arla Ó Lionáird, Ireland's great Sean nós singer. 11 April 2014.

"In One Year and Out the Other" a virtual fluxus experiment based on Ken Friedman's 1975 script. December 2013, January 2014.

"Fluxus is dead (?)" -a mixed reality event. Second Front performance for Future Fluxus with Second Front and Larry Miller at Donau Fest, May 7, 2011, Krems, Austria.

"The MoFo's of Invention" Second Front performance for Odyssey Contemporary Art and Performance, Oct. 13, 2010. The performance was for Milan's Innovation Festival, and broadcast live for that event in Milan, Italy.

"Therapy," a Second Front Performance at the Electrosmog International Festival for Sustainable Immobility on March 20,2010.

Biography

Troy Miller is Program Director of Construction Management, as well as an assistant professor specializing in construction management.

Daniel Millward is the Physician Assistant Studies Program Director and faculty member. Professor Millward graduated PA school in 2009 and spent ten years working as a PA in family practice on the Navajo Reservation.