Empowering local communities through service
Colorado Mesa University Director of Student Success and Engagement Melissa Calhoon was recently appointed to the Colorado Commission on Community Service Board by Colorado Governor Jared Polis at the start of the 2022-23 academic school year. This appointment is a significant recognition of her accomplishments and success in her role at CMU and her contributions to the community.
Calhoon has had a diverse career path, which has included working with nonprofit organizations focused on environmental education, youth mentoring, and formal and informal education. Her administrative and community service experience has made her a great fit for the role.
Calhoon's journey to being appointed to the board began when she participated in the Colorado Governor’s Fellowship Program in 2022. The fellowship is a bipartisan leadership program endorsed by Governor Polis and former Colorado Governors John Hickenlooper, Bill Ritter and Bill Owens, that seeks to identify purposeful leaders within the state of Colorado and grow future leaders who can address complex challenges in the state. The fellowship challenged Calhoon to find her public service journey and the commission seemed like a natural fit and next step.
As someone who has been passionate about giving back to the community since childhood, being appointed to the board was a significant honor and humbling experience for Calhoon. The commission's mission to empower community-based organizations to meet locally-identified needs through service and volunteerism resonated deeply with her personal values.
“Community service and community involvement has been an aspect of my life since I was a child. It is nice to be able to give back to the state of Colorado while helping advance community service initiatives throughout the state," said Calhoon.
Aside from being a member of the Colorado Commission on Community Service Board, Calhoon is also a two-time AmeriCorps member and a past AmeriCorps Program Director. Her experience with AmeriCorps has helped shape her commitment to community service and has prepared her for the work she does today.
Calhoon's appointment to the board by Governor Polis is a testament to her hard work, dedication and passion for community service. Her appointment not only recognizes her success at CMU, but it highlights the importance of community involvement and service in making a positive impact in the lives of others. Calhoon's story serves as an inspiration to others who seek to make a difference in their communities and beyond.