CMUnow Podcast

As a first-generation student who reached the pinnacle of higher education, James Perez, PhD, has done it all. From playing in a band, to working in radio, to graduating with a Master’s in Linguistics and doctorate in communication, Perez constantly challenges himself and finds ways to continue to learn about the world of language.

As a professor of mass communication, Elaine Venter, PhD, is researching and teaching about an industry that is subject to change on a daily basis. From Elon Musk buying Twitter to Web3 and building community through video games. She discusses how technology accentuates and integrates with real life as well as the opportunities and pitfalls these virtual worlds hold for all of us.

With the recent increase of the national conversation focusing on the topic of criminal justice reform, Professor of Criminal Justice Katie Dreiling, PhD, speaks about the importance of policy change and increased funding and support.

Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall facilitates a conversation about people and politics, both past and present, with Katie Packer Beeson and Rich Beeson. Katie is a political consultant who has managed numerous campaigns at every level, including state legislature, Governor, U.S. Senate and Presidential. Rich’s campaign experience is just as extensive. He served as the Political Dire...

As people all across the country struggle with mental health, Michelle Sunkel, PhD, is training the next generation of healthcare professionals as to how to bridge the gap between the lack of resources and the absence of funding. As an expert in the field of social work and the director of the Master of Social Work program at Colorado mesa University, Sunkel breaks down how as a society we can bet...

On this special edition podcast, Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and Director of Guys and Dolls Benjamin Reigel and CMU senior, Ian Rowzee, sat down to give listeners an exclusive look into their upcoming performance. Rowzee, who plays Nathan Detroit in the musical comedy, spoke about the classic and how his love for theatre grew after getting involved in choir. Listen...

Agriculture does more for society than just making sure there’s food on the table. Western Colorado Community College’s Bryan Reed, who has worked in the organic and sustainable food industry in Colorado since 1993, explains why sustainable farming matters and how we’re taking lessons from the past to move us into the future.

In August 1994, Colorado Mesa University Professor of Art Suzie Garner left West Texas A&M after graduate school, arrived at CMU for a one year appointment and never left. In this episode, Garner takes us on a journey from one watercolor workshop in Yellowstone National Park to an adventure all her own.

Associate Professor of Art Araan Schmidt started melting iron when he was just 8 years old. He has since spent the last decade sharing his love of transforming stubborn materials and precious metals like brass, aluminum and iron with Colorado Mesa University undergraduate students. Contemporary and traditional artists continue to inspire Schmidt to keep pushing the boundaries of sculpture, arguabl...

WCCC Lecturer of Early Childhood Education Stephanie Stelljes wanted to teach ever since she was a young girl. Fast forward some 20 plus years later and Stelljes has done just that. At Western Colorado Community College (WCCC), she’s instilling a love of learning that trickles down from the next generation of child educators to the Grand Valley’s youngest students. The curriculum includes guidance...

Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of Mathematics Ana Berrizbeitia, PhD, teaches a subject many love to hate. Yet, Berrizbeitia sees math as a giant playground, an art form and a way to communicate complex ideas.

From aerospace engineer on the NASA Space Shuttle Landing Team to the Colorado Mesa University campus, Associate Professor of Statistics Rick Ott, PhD, has an array of experiences that have helped shaped how students learn statistics in todays ever-evolving world.

Tropical Ecology has been a focal point for Thomas Walla, PhD, since his first trip to Ecuador in 1991. Since that time he has sought to bring the wonders of tropical diversity to the classroom and his research program. Walla's research includes measuring the diversity of interactions along the eastern Andes to the Amazon. Most recently, he’s joined a team participating in the XPRIZE Carbon Remova...

Associate Professor of Biology Johanna Varner, PhD, is inspiring the next generation of female scientists through her love of pikas, a small, mountain-dwelling mammal, and their response to climate change. Varner’s work as a pika biologist landed her likeness in the world’s largest collection of statues of women to exist in one place. In this podcast, she talks about what it’s like to have her sta...

A misnomer of accounting is that you have to be good at math. Turns out, it’s more about dissecting and communicating information. In this podcast, CMU Professor of Accounting Suzanne Owens-Ott breaks down what a life of an accountant looks like, including the good, the bad and the ugly.

CMU Assistant Professor of Management Carlos Baldo, PhD, tells us about his life both in the private and public sector and walks us through how he’s preparing the students of today for tomorrow.

Ann Gillies, PhD, spent 15 years in the special education field before transitioning into teacher education. Gillies is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and is now teaching the next generation of teachers who will make a difference in the lives of students with exceptionalities.

As a young adult, Nick Bardo bounced around the globe teaching, from the Republic of Kiribati to China and many places in between. The United States Peace Corps showed him that no matter where in the world he was, home was in a classroom.

Western Colorado gets a new summer police academy! Starting May 9, the Western Colorado Law Enforcement Academy will be officially in session. The academy was created in partnership with the Montrose Police Department, Colorado Mesa University Montrose Campus and the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office.

Jodi Noga teaches nursing students how to care for patients and their families in life and in death. From the emergency room to hospice, after 26 years in the field, Noga has seen it all. Now, she’s passing on the knowledge that whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, a nurse can make all the difference.

President Marshall sat down with diversity, inclusion and equity expert Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod, theatre arts department head Mo LaMee and students Isabel and Lauren to discuss the power of the arts how they bring people together like few things do.

Originally from western Ukraine, radiologic technologist Olga Grisak has seen it all. As a program coordinator and faculty member at Colorado Mesa University, Grisak teaches her students not only the technical and patient skills needed to do the job, but also how to be the ears and eyes for the radiologist.

Costume design plays a unique role in storytelling. By switching up pieces of clothing, the audience can see a change over the course of the story: a rise or fall of fortune, a shift in personality, even how a character fits inside a world. Colorado Mesa University’s Jill Van Brussel helps tell stories but also has an inspiring one all her own. This conversation take twists and turns you didn’t se...

Music theatre is all about telling a compelling story to create a shared experience. Colorado Mesa University’s Director of Musical Theater Jeremy Franklin explains what it is about the arts that bring us all together.

WCCC Fire Science Program Lead Technical Instructor and Grand Junction Fire Department Battalion Chief Chris McCoy has 27 years of fire service experience and a heart for helping people. Battling fires while weighing the risk vs. reward is part of the job and one that he doesn’t take lightly. On this CMUnow Podcast, find out if bravery is inherent or learned and why some run in when others run out...