{"id":16688,"date":"2017-03-24T20:26:13","date_gmt":"2017-03-24T20:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vailvalleypartnership.com\/?p=16688"},"modified":"2017-03-24T20:26:13","modified_gmt":"2017-03-24T20:26:13","slug":"much-community-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vailvalleypartnership.com\/2017\/03\/much-community-college\/","title":{"rendered":"Much more than a community college"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celebrate Colorado Mountain College<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In 1964, newly appointed Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce Director David Delaplane found a file folder labeled \u201cEducation Committee\u201d with a few names listed inside. \u201cThere really ought to be a college here,\u201d he said to himself. That began months of campaigning in multiple counties to bring the idea of a tax-funded college district to a vote. The Leadville Chamber of Commerce directors also appointed a committee to look into the formation of a Junior College.<\/p>\n

This work led to a ballot measure to create a community college and on November 2, 1965, the voters of five counties approved the formation of the college district by more than a two-to-one margin. The large size of the district was based on the requirements of the State of Colorado. The junior college plan was unanimously\u00a0approved by the State Board of\u00a0Education.<\/p>\n

In an article recapping from 1965:<\/p>\n

“During November occurred the most far-reaching event in the field of education that anyone could have prophesized for Lake County – the favorable vote which sets in motion the establishment of a junior college district.”
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Colorado Mountain College (CMC) held its first classes in the fall of 1967 at the East Campus in Leadville and the West Campus in Glenwood Springs. The first class schedule featured an architect’s rendering of the “interim” campus building. One “interim” building remained on campus for more than 40 years.\u00a0In-district tuition in the fall of 1967 was $6.75 per credit hour.<\/p>\n

Fast forwarding to today, in-state and in-district tuition is still the lowest in the state, and Colorado Mountain College serves\u00a012,000 square miles in throughout the Colorado mountain region. Their service area includes distinct communities made up of international resorts, ranches, wilderness areas and former mining towns. Each year, over 20,000 students take classes at 11 locations and online.<\/p>\n

CMC offers programs from ESL and GED to bachelor\u2019s degrees. They partner with local school districts through the Mountain Futures Fund, securing private and public funding to ensure that every local high school student can have the opportunity for a college education. CMC also has a robust dual enrollment program in partnership with local school districts. They have grown from a community college to a public two and four-year institution, and we\u2019re fortunate to have them in the region and to have the Edwards Campus located in the middle of our valley.<\/p>\n

Consider: the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has recognized CMC as in the top 13% of two-year colleges in the U.S. for exceptional student performance and outcomes. The college was also ranked #17 in the nation by CNN\/Money for student success among more than 800 two-year colleges. CMC was rated #1 among Colorado\u2019s two-year colleges for graduation plus transfer rates, and impressive given their geographic size and scope, CMC Colorado Mountain College offers the third most affordable bachelor\u2019s degrees in the nation.<\/p>\n

I was fortunate to participate, along with other community members, in the CMC strategic planning process a few years ago. This led to a new strategic plan; as outlined on their website, CMC offers a dynamic and innovative teaching and learning experience serving a diverse population in a student-centered, inclusive, and personalized learning environment. Through a comprehensive array of programs and courses of study, CMC provides high-quality education that is affordable and accessible, helping all students meet their individual educational goals. CMC measures its success through student success.<\/p>\n

The specific aims of CMC are to:<\/p>\n