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A summer of change at CMC

Tim Hoopingarner

“Turn, Turn, Turn.”

The popular old Byrds tune is actually a paraphrase of passages from the Bible. Both the song and the passages refer to the changing seasons of the year, of one’s life, and of the ages of human existence. Likewise, the Summit Campus of Colorado Mountain College is going through tremendous change now, and a certain rebirth of the campus is at hand.

Colorado Mountain College in Summit County is very cost-efficient, as well as cost-effective. We have only five administrators, including the dean, the full-time student services counselor and three instructional supervisors. After many years of relative stability, four of these five positions will turn over in the next few weeks, as current members of our team move on, and new ones join us. When 80 percent of the administrative staff turns over, there is certainly going to be change in the organization.



The good news is, the departures we are experiencing are all very positive: Dr. Linda Rose, our student services counselor, has been promoted to assistant campus dean at the Leadville Campus of the college.

Pam Arsenault, our division director in Dillon, has accepted the job as campus dean for West Garfield County, with a campus in Rifle.



Bonnie Osborn, our interim division director in Breckenridge, is going to stay with us for several more months but plans to leave for another position after her replacement comes on board.

The dean – me – is, of course, retiring from the college, and plans to pursue other career interests after overlapping for a time with the new dean.

Advising Help

We are devising a number of support systems for student advising this term, as many of our students have come to rely on Rose’s expert advice for the past many years. Her shoes will be hard to fill, and her replacement won’t be on board until after the fall semester begins.

So, for the next two months or so, here is how to access advising at CMC: 1) Our part-time student services counselor, Linda Hessel, will be working extra hours and will be glad to meet with students from 1-5 p.m. in Breckenridge and in Dillon from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, and full days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please call the Dillon site at (970) 468-5989 to set an appointment. Our thanks for her extra effort during this hectic period.

Rachel Pokrandt, one of our most versatile employees, will fill in for Rose in the afternoons in Breckenridge. Call her at (970) 453-6757, ext. 2614 to set an appointment. Rose has also volunteered to have Pokrandt call her at her new job if students need Rose’s expertise. Finally, Rose will be working in Breckenridge July 31 and Aug. 6, 7 and 11, so if you need to see her in preparation for the fall term, please stop by on those days.

“There is a season,” and this is a season for change at CMC. The college has experienced tremendous growth and change over the past years, and the new blood will ensure that the campus will continue to transform into the future. I personally am very proud of the campus we’ve become. I never dreamed I’d stay in any job for 17 years, and I am very grateful to have found a position in which I can contribute and which so closely matches my particular skills, background, and temperament. Although I am having a difficult time letting go, I feel confident that my successor will bring new life and energy to the campus, taking CMC in Summit County to new heights.

The new fall bulletin is out, so pick one up and bring a little change into your life as well. Registration begins Monday, Aug. 4, and classes begin Monday, Aug. 25.

Our very best wishes to the administrators who are moving on to new challenges. Likewise, our very best wishes to the new administrators coming in to create a new campus. This will certainly be a great season for Colorado Mountain College in Summit County.


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