Mallozzi, Shelton honored at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville
By Stefanie Kilts
For two instructors at Colorado Mountain College’s campus in Leadville who continually go “above and beyond” for their peers and students, helping a group of CMC students climb 19,341 feet to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro last month was just another day on the job.
Cooper Mallozzi and Trey Shelton, outdoor education instructors at the college, created and coordinated the East Africa Abroad course for students to experience the landscapes and culture of Kenya and Tanzania. Their hard work and dedication to the program came as no surprise to their peers and were part of the decision to honor the two instructors.
“They wanted to do something big that would have great meaning for their students – and then they put it together and did it,” said Jonathan King, the campus dean of academic affairs in Leadville. “Their dedication in putting this program together is one of the reasons they were nominated for the faculty of the year awards.”
Every year, each of Colorado Mountain College’s seven campuses, as well as the college’s department of online learning, can nominate adjunct and full-time instructors for the faculty of the year award. From those honorees, senior administrators then select a collegewide award recipient in each of the two categories.
Pitching in wherever needed
Mallozzi, assistant professor of outdoor education and outdoor studies program manager, moved to Leadville in 2003 and initially worked at the High Mountain Institute for five years. He taught science, math and wilderness courses to high school juniors and led backcountry expeditions.
When a position opened in the CMC outdoor program, Mallozzi applied and was offered the position.
“I took a leap of faith and got lucky,” he said.
Five years later, Mallozzi juggles a number of roles on the Leadville campus. He teaches a variety of courses including the general college ecology course; mountain, canyon, snow and desert orientation courses; and a telemark skiing leadership block. He also coordinates internships but he said he especially enjoys advising students and helping them identify their areas of strength so they can work on building their confidence and skills.
“I love working with students who are figuring out their path,” he said. “I like to think I can provide a hand in guiding and helping them figure out what they want to do, whether that is to pursue a career or to complete a bachelor’s degree.”
Mallozzi also has a large administrative role in the college’s outdoor program, securing permits and scheduling and staffing courses, as well as working on curriculum development, risk management and marketing.
In addition to his many jobs, he helps with his campus’s Women’s Recruitment Initiative and has been a member of the Leadville City Council since 2011.
“If there is a committee, he’s on it. If there’s a group, he’s in it,” said Erin McCracken, CMC admissions assistant in Leadville. “If we need something, Cooper is the first one there.”
Travel, outdoors close to heart
For Shelton, outdoor studies program coordinator and adjunct faculty, travel and the outdoors have always been a big part of his life. He spent most of his life in Colorado and worked as a guide on the Arkansas River for 10 years.
In 2009, he worked on a joint project overseas funded by the United Nations Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative (SARD), Heifer International and various nonprofits. Shelton and his wife spent four months working on natural resource development and financial literacy in a remote region in Kenya. After completing the project, Shelton received a bachelor’s in geography from Texas State University.
Now in his second year at CMC, as a coordinator for the outdoor program Shelton is in charge of trip logistics, coordinates and maintains equipment, and interacts with students and faculty before, during and after the trips. He also teaches classes, including a GIS introduction course, and whitewater rafting and kayaking courses.
“I really enjoy the students and sharing the outdoor experience,” he said.
Both instructors were surprised and pleased with the awards.
“I’m honored and humbled, especially considering the quality of staff and faculty here,” Mallozzi said. “I would just as soon give the award away to them.”