New CMC president officially starts in December
Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser can’t wait to start work at Colorado Mountain College in December.
She is already attending a planning conference with CMC faculty and administrators, and is lining up numerous campus visits.
Hauser said as early as her first week on the job she will start visiting the college’s 11 learning locations, getting to know students and employees. “Most importantly, I want us to be discerning how we can best serve students with the highest level of excellence and quality programming,” she said.
“It is a privilege to be joining Colorado Mountain College at this point in its history,” she said. “As a longtime fan and observer of CMC and its important mission, I am excited to join the team of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and others to advance the college into its next chapter. My husband and I look forward to becoming part of the CMC family and its many wonderful communities.”
Community, college, state leaders support Hauser
Strong internal support for Hauser during the presidential search helped influence the college’s elected trustees to offer her the position of president of the multi-campus college. Recently state and local leaders, including many who have known her for years, embraced her return to Colorado’s higher education community.
Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, who is also executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, said, “We are fortunate to have the leadership of Dr. Besnette Hauser back in Colorado. She is a proven leader and advocate for higher education and will be a great ally in helping us to ensure access to college across Colorado.”
Dr. Stephen Jordan, president of Metropolitan State University of Denver, said that Hauser’s “wealth of experience in higher education, foundations and public policy will be a true asset in developing partnerships” between CMC and Colorado’s four-year institutions.
Tim Foster, president of Colorado Mesa University, who called Hauser “exceptionally talented,” said that her presence at CMC would positively influence the relationship between the two neighboring colleges.
Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System, which oversees 13 community colleges serving other regions within Colorado, said she has been impressed by Hauser’s “commitment and professionalism.”
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet also noted Hauser’s commitment. “She has dedicated her life to improving the quality of higher education and increasing access to higher learning opportunities for students throughout the state,” he said. “She is uniquely qualified for this position and she will make an exceptional leader for Colorado Mountain College.”
Mountain leaders look forward to presidency
Western Slope leaders are also looking forward to Hauser’s leadership.
“I’m excited for Dr. Hauser to join the team at Colorado Mountain College,” said Chris Romer, president and CEO, Vail Valley Partnership. He noted that her active involvement with various economic development-related boards and knowing Colorado make her a perfect fit for the college in the mountains.
Gary Rodgers, president and general manager, Copper Mountain Resort, said he was “thrilled” to hear of Hauser’s appointment. “I have known Carrie and her husband Jeff for a number of years, through their passion for skiing, the outdoors and mountain lifestyle. I am confident that Dr. Hauser will bring this same passion to CMC. ”
The Colorado Mountain College president is based at CMC’s central administrative offices in Glenwood Springs, and oversees all of the college’s 11 learning locations in north-central Colorado. CMC campuses are located within the college’s six-county district (serving Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin, Routt and Summit counties). In addition, the college’s nine-county service area also comprises Chaffee, Grand and Jackson counties, including the college’s Chaffee County Academic Center in Buena Vista.