Faculty at the CMC Summit Campus

Highly qualified and talented faculty enjoy teaching at CMC and living in Summit County and surrounding areas

For contact information, please use the CMC Staff & Faculty Directory

SHARON AGUIAR holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Multicultural, Bilingual and ESL Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Sharon has taught English to speakers of other languages abroad and in Summit School District for eleven years before becoming a full time Associate Professor at CMC.

JOHN ASTHALTER holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences and is in practice with Dr. Ivo Waerlop at Summit Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. He is a PSIA certified Level 3 alpine ski instructor.

ALLEN BACHER, BSBA from George Mason University and an MBA from Lindenwood University, is a former senior level corporate executive with international experience with an industry dominant company. Over 10 years prior adjunct (with MBA level) experience, holds RE and Insurance industry licenses. He has owned and operated four previous companies, has, as well, thirty years’ experience in businesses acquisitions, development, pestitures, mergers, start-ups, and valuations.

JEN BARCHERS holds a B.A. in Kinesiology from Western State College and an M.A. in Global Humanities from the University of Denver. She is working on her PhD at Saybrook University.

MATHEW BENEDICT Matt graduated from the State of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1995. He moved to Breckenridge in 1995 and taught skiing for the winters and did construction for the summers. He was hired at Red, White & blue Fire in 2000 and currently driver/operator, acting captain, NWCG engine boss and EMT-Basic.

DANIEL (SKIP) BERGBAUER holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.S. in Technology Systems Management from the University of Maryland. Skip served in the U.S. Navy for eight years and has twelve years of fire service experience.

JENS BISHOP received his Bachelor’s Degree in writing and communication from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He is a television editor at Summit County Television and teaches logic at CMC.

JOSH BLANCHARD holds a B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas and an M.H. from the University of Colorado at Denver. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Lake Dillon Theater in Dillon, CO.

NANCY BRANCA has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth and holds a degree in Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art. She is an accomplished painter and also teaches at Peak School in Breckenridge. Nancy began teaching at the CMC Timberline Campus in 1998 and transferred to the Breckenridge Campus in 2008.

JEFFREY R. BURNS is an attorney with over 25 years of experience; he holds a B.A. from University of Massachusetts and earned his J.D. from Washington College of Law, The American University. He is a member of Colorado and Continental Divide Bar Associations; Colorado Trial Lawyers Association; American Association of Justice; National Ski Patrol Systems, Inc., former Legal Counsel for Rocky Mountain Division; Colorado Bar Association Family Law Section and Litigation Section, Colorado Collaborative Law Professionals and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. He is also a ski patroller with over 20 years of experience.

COLIN CARMAN holds a PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara in English. He has published extensively and was recently awarded a Huntington Fellowship for his work and writing.

JENNIFER CASSELL holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and currently works in the Colorado State Capitol.

ROBERT CARTELLI holds an M.S. in Strategic Technology Management from Marlboro College in Brattleboro, Vermont. He has a strong e-business background and previous teaching experience at Champlain College where he was responsible for overseeing the development and teaching of e-business courses in the College’s eBusiness and eCommerce program. While at Champlain College, Mr. Cartelli oversaw the use of Coretomic’s Colligo Net program by 200+ students. He is currently a consulting partner with Coretomic, Inc.in S. Burlington, Vermont. He teaches a Management Information System course for MBA students in the Middle East and India for the University of Wales. He recently completed his Ph.D. coursework with Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rob considers himself a lifelong ski bum and skis 200+days per year.

ANNE CHAPMAN holds an M.A. in Education from Appalachian State University and has taught math in the Summit School District. She has been teaching at CMC since 2003.

ERIC CHATT is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine as well as a specialty massage practitioner. His undergraduate training is pre-med biology. He was trained in Naturopathy at Bastyr University in Seattle. Eric has studied the martial art Capoeira for seven years.

KEVIN CLARKE, J.D. has been the Director of Summit Campus Culinary Institute at Keystone since 1999.He holds an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts from Colorado Mountain College and a B.S. and J.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His fifteen year culinary industry work experience includes Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine at Keystone’s Ski Tip Lodge. He is a member of the American Culinary Federation. Kevin works closely with the local high school and coaches the SHS Prostart Culinary Competition Team. He also coaches CMC’s culinary apprentice competition team. In 2004 he was honored as the Summit Education Alliance “Friend of Education.” Other awards include Outstanding CMC Alumni and Summit Campus full-time faculty of the year. Kevin and his wife Claire along with their daughters are active members of the local horse community.

NANCY COOK brings a life long career as a guitarist and songwriter to CMC. A local acoustic performer with three independently produced albums, she has performed for a living since the early ‘80s. She has a B.A. in Music and Humanities from Florida Atlantic University.

KELLY CORBIN holds a Wilderness EMT-Basic through CMC and has worked as a professional river guide and trainer for 14 years. She is a nationally registered EMT-Basic, holds Intravenous Therapy certification and is a CPR instructor.

JOSEPH DAMONTE is the Executive Chef for the Keystone Conference Center. Mr. Damonte has over twenty years of restaurant experience. He has been teaching in the Culinary Arts program since 2006.

CHRISTINA DAVIS holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Arizona. She has a wide range of experience in the classroom as well as design and freelance work for the business sector.

JEREMY DEEM holds a M.A. in History from Colorado State University and a B.A. in History from Ohio University. He taught for Colorado Outward Bound for 7 years, and has 16 years experience raft guiding, rock climbing, canyoneering as well as extensive multi-day + international guiding experience. He currently teaches History & Outdoor Education courses for CMC.

LYNN DONOVAN holds a B.S. from Colorado State University in Political Science with a music performance minor. She has a background in English & Literature and has worked in the Learning Lab since 2003.

EMILY EDWARDS received a B.A. and M.A. in Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology and then changed careers and received an M.S. in Business Administration - Accounting, all from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She started her career by establishing a clinical research center at CU and is now a Certified Public Accountant with her own tax and accounting firm in Frisco.

SCOTT EGOLF attended Washington State University in the Civil Engineering department. He comes to CMC with over fifteen years of mountain guiding, teaching and outdoor education experience, specializing in mountaineering, rock, and ice climbing. Currently he is the program director and owner of South Park Adventure Guides based out of Breckenridge, Colorado.

MATTHEW FACKLER is the Executive Chef at Relish in Breckenridge. He has been teaching in the Culinary Arts Program since 2005.

COOKE FISHER received a Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction in 1986 from the University of Denver. Cooke’s career has varied from special education teacher, to real estate investor, toyoga entrepreneur and inventor of the yogasizr power pyramid.

HANA FOREST studied at Masaryk University Brno, the Czech Republic. She holds an M.A. in English, a M.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Finance. She has worked with CMC since 2002.

EMILY GALVIN has a BA in Bilingual Elementary Education with an ESL endorsement from the University of Arizona and a Master’s Degree in ECE from the University of Phoenix. She has been teaching ESL, GED, Elementary grades and Spanish since 1987 and is currently teaching First grade in a dual language immersion school for Summit School District.

URSULA GILGULIN holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree from the Pratt Institute. She teaches at many CMC campuses in Art History and Art Appreciation.

MONIQUE HAVERKORN is a Colorado certified ELA teacher. She earned her first TESOL certificate from Oxford House College in London, England. She earned her second Master’s Degree in the TESL graduate program at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in May 2006.

KHRISTIAN HEWITT is the VP and Training Director of Summit County Rescue Group. Khristian is an avid rock and ice climber and loves to teach wilderness and outdoor courses. Khristian holds many certificates ranging from technical rope rigging to incident management.

PHIL HUFF holds a B.A. from Emory and Henry College. He is a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)and Cisco Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI). He has ten years public school teaching experience. Phil is currently involved as a provider of Internet Technology Systems including computer software and hardware vending.

JUDY HUNT holds a Master's degree in Computer Science Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Mass., and a B.A. in Mathematics from Central Methodist College in Missouri. Judy has previously taught at Missouri Baptist College and at the high school level in Missouri.

BARBARA JACKMAN holds a B.S. in Special Education and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin -Eau Claire. Barbara has worked in the early childhood field for twenty years and is currently working as a consultant. Her two major focus areas are early childhood teaching training/mentoring and mental health in early childhood.

BÉNÉDICTE JEANSON-MANWARING holds an M.S. in Mathematics from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in Business. She has eighteen years community college experience in teaching mathematics, facilitating challenge/rope courses, and academic advising.

KRISTAN JOHNSON has a Master’s Degree from UC Berkeley in Educating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students and a Fellowship in Early Childhood Leadership. She has completed initial doctoral work in Educational Equity and serves as Instructional Chair on the CMC Summit Campus.

GARY KETZENBARGER holds an M.A. in Theatre and is a PhD candidate in Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Denver. He has been teaching a variety of courses including English Composition, Public Speaking, Comparative Religions, and several Theatre courses at CMC since 1995. He has practiced and taught Tai Chi for over thirteen years.

KATE KIESLER graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in Illustration and subsequently illustrated over twenty books for children before pursuing painting full time. Inspired largely by the landscape, Kate spends most days painting in the mountainous environment of Summit County.

JEAN KRAMLICH holds an M.S. in Counselor Education and a B.S. in Human Services from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Jean has worked in higher education/student development since 1988 and is currently the Student Development Counselor at CMC-Breckenridge.

G. SIEGFRIED (Sig) KUTTER holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Rochester. He has taught for more than twenty years at the University of Virginia, Evergreen State College, and for the Colorado Online School Consortium. He has also held positions at NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and in private industry. Dr. Kutter has done research in stellar evolution, has authored two college textbooks, and has written numerous science articles for a NASA website.

KAREN LAPIDES holds a B.S. in Human Psychology/Kinesiology from C.U. Boulder. Karen is a Wilderness EMT and paramedic for the Breckenridge Ski Patrol and Estes Park Medical Center. She has over 15 years experience as a mountaineering instructor and course director for the Colorado Outward Bound School. An EMS adjunct faculty at CMC, Summit Campus, she enjoys ski mountaineering, trail running, and rock climbing in her spare time.

HOLLY LEWIS holds a Master of Science degree from University of Colorado in Computational Science and Engineering. She was raised in Summit County and currently resides in Denver. She was employed with NASA in Houston, Texas and has worked with satellites and educational research.

MORGAN LIDDICK holds an M.A. in History from California State University and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Washington. He has been a Public Information specialist with over twenty five years of U.S. and international experience.

DAN LIPSHER holds a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Texas and a Master's degree in History from the University of Chicago. His classes focus on making history relevant to 21st-century life, showing how people and events in the past affect the way we view the world today. He has been an adjunct instructor at CMC since 2007.

MATT LIT is an award-winning professional photographer specializing in People & Dogs. His fine art photography is recognized internationally in exhibitions and competitions, including the International Black & White Spider Awards, the Center for Fine Art Photography, the Colorado Council on the Arts, Denver International Airport, and many other galleries. His wedding photojournalism and dog photography also receive awards.

LAURENCE MACKIE holds a B.A. from John Carroll University, two Masters degrees in Anthropology and in Sociology from Case Western Reserve, and an M.B.A. from John Carroll, plus ABD toward a Ph.D. in Anthropology.

KIERSTEN ROBERTS MACREERY holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Michigan State University. She has been teaching ESL at CMC since 2001.

TRACI MATLOCK holds a Master of Business Administration from Idaho State University. She has a BS in Apparel Merchandising from Utah State University. Traci is currently employed by Summit County Government in the Finance Department.

KIM MCDONALD earned his A.A.S. degree in Fire Science Technology from Red Rocks Community College. Captain McDonald is a Deputy Fire Marshall at Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue and is a certified fire and explosion investigator.

KRISTY McCLAIN holds an M.A. in English Literature from Iowa State University. She is currently a full-time instructor at Summit High School. Kristy began teaching at CMC in 2007.

MISTY McMILLIAN holds an M.A. in Communication Consultancy and a B.A. in Speech Communication from Oklahoma State University. She has worked as a workshop facilitator and instructor in Speech Communication.

RACHEL MEISLER holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and Fine Arts from Loyola College in Maryland and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry from the University of Arizona.

DREW MIKITA N.C.C. holds an M.Ed. in Rehabilitation and Community Counseling. He opened a private practice in Summit County in the fall of 2007. Drew began teaching at CMC in January 2008.

GEORGINA MILLER holds a B.S. in Veterinary Science and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. She is Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Georgina has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics at F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science. She also taught in the Foundation for Advancement of Education in the Sciences Graduate School.

JAKE MILLER holds a B.S. in Earth Science with a minor in Outdoor Education along with a secondary teaching licensure from the University of Northern Colorado. He has spent several years developing and leading outdoor leadership programs with various organizations and has recently started writing a book about special topics of backcountry travel.

SUSAN MOCATTA holds a Master's degree in Bilingual Multicultural Education (NAU), a Bachelor's degree in French and Anthropology (NAU) and is completing a Master's degree in Spanish Literature (UNI in Santiago de Compostela, Spain). She has taught Spanish, French, ESL and bilingual education from preschool to college.

PATRICIA MOORE holds a Doctor of Ministry from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, a M. Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. in Recreation with a second major in Driver and Traffic Safety Education from Appalachian State University. She has been leading worship at the Breckenridge Ski Area since 1991. Pat has been teaching guitar at the Summit Campus since 2002.

JOYCE DEVLIN MOSHER holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Literature and Criticism, an M.A. in Language and Communication from Regis University and a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Penn State. Joyce has been teaching at the Summit Campus for over thirty years. Joyce recently completed her doctoral thesis on college writing and reading theory and practice.

CESAR MUNOZ holds a B.A. in Art from Dartmouth College, and has studied screenwriting at the University of California. He has a secondary teaching certificate for foreign language from Southern Utah University and has taught Spanish for CMC since 2000.

JAY NELSON is a long-time Summit County resident who grew up in Blue River. Jay is currently the Fire Marshal for Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District in Breckenridge. When not working, Jay enjoys skiing, hiking, rafting, and four-wheeling.

JUDY NORTON has taught dance for nearly 20 years. Her eclectic background comes from training with members of the David Taylor Dance Theater, Ririe Woodbury Dance Theater, Joffery Ballet, Pilobolus and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

TEENA OFSOWITZ has a B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has taught pre-school & kindergarten for four years at Playhouse Kindergarten in San Antonio, a private institution.

PAUL OLSON holds an MS in Business from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and a BS in Business from Carroll College. He operated Dells Boat Tours and the Wisconsin Ducks in Wisconsin Dells, WI for 22 years.

MARIE ORLIN holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Assessment and a B.S. in Elementary Education. She owns a web design and graphic art business. She has operated a consulting business in Summit County since 1998. Classes taught at CMC including the Adobe CS series (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and Fireworks), MS Office, web design and others beginning in 2003.

BILL PAINTER holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Colorado State University and an M.S. and B.S. in Zoology from Clemson University. He has taught at both Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa, and at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins.

MARK PALZ earned his MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from Bennington College. He continues to write and teaches fly fishing and composition with CMC.

STACY PETTY holds a BA in English with a focus in education and reading and an MS in Education with a focus in Elementary Reading and Literacy.  Stacy has worked in the Early Childhood field for 14 years as an instructor, mentor and coach.  Her current areas of focus are teaching, training and mentoring in the Early Childhood field.

LAURA PLESS holds an M.A. in Liberal Arts and Education from Regis University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a teaching certificate for K-12 from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, and is certified as a Developmental Education Specialist from the Kellogg Institute. Laura is the Associate Professor of Developmental Studies and has taught for Colorado Mountain College since 1991.

JUSTIN POLLACK holds an N.D. from Bastyr University, was a resident and adjunct clinical faculty at NCNM in Portland, OR and holds a B.A. from the Evergreen State College. Dr. Pollack is co-owner/director of the Mountain-River Naturopathic Clinic in Frisco.

JASON READ holds a B.A. degree from Coastal Carolina University. Jason is an instructor of English as a Second Language and has previously taught English in South Korea. He has worked for CMC since 2001.

RYAN ROBERTS earned his Associates Degree, Fire Science Technology at Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, CO, a Bachelors of Science in Fire Service Administration at Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon and a Masters of Public Administration MPA at Walden University, Baltimore, Maryland. He has resided in Colorado for eight years, currently living in Breckenridge with his wife and both love the outdoors. He has been involved in the fire service for nearly 10 years.

MARIANO RODRIGUEZ is originally from Argentina and lived in Spain for 10 years. He earned his BA in Language and Literacy in Spain and is working toward his Master’s in Spanish Language. He also works in the dual immersion program at Dillon Valley elementary and the Summit Middle School and teaches private Spanish language classes.

ABIGAIL RUBY holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Iowa and a Masters in Humanities and Social Thought from New York University. She has worked extensively with interdisciplinary issues of gender and sport. She has also taught Composition classes at Pikes Peak Community College.

ALICE SANTMAN holds a B.A. in Art from the University of Pacific in Stockton, California. She has fourteen years experience in architecture and CAD technologies and is currently a Project Manager for Baker, Hogan, and Houx Architecture & Planning.

ANDREW SCHOENEMAN holds an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Regis University with emphases in Philosophy, Intellectual History, and Literature.

DAVID SCOTT is the Executive Chef at the Outpost Dining Facilities in Keystone. He has been teaching in the Culinary Arts Program since 2003.

SEAN SIMON is a certified fire instructor currently serving as a captain with Leadville Lake County Fire Rescue. He has been a high county resident for 17 years and enjoys sunning, snorkeling and turtles.

STACY SMITH earned a Master’s in Community Counseling and runs a private counseling business. She is pursuing her PhD in Psychology.   MARY PAT SWARTSLEY holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, a minor in working with the handicapped learner and a Master’s in Applied Communication from D.U., Denver. She has over 30 years of experience in E.M.S. and education. Her background includes involvement with ski patrol, search and rescue, a career firefighter and paramedic with the City of Colorado Springs and has held a variety of training positions.

BRIAN TAYLOR holds a B.S. in Outdoor Education from Northland College, Ashland, WI. Brian is a wilderness EMT and paramedic for local agencies. He has over ten years experience as a wilderness guide and outdoor educator. Brian also volunteers with Summit County Rescue Group as a team leader, technical rescue specialist, and is on the avalanche response team. Brian is the EMS Coordinator and Faculty Chair at CMC-Summit.

PETER TAYLOR holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland and a B.A. from George Washington University. Peter’s expertise is in economic forecasting and public policy analysis based on over twenty years experience working as an economist for the U.S. Congress and for the Executive Office of the President. He has been a visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Shippensburg University, and Colorado College.

MORGAN THOMPSON is proud to say that she is a Breckenridge, Colorado Native! She graduated with a BA in Human Development and Early Childhood Education in 2005 from The Metropolitan State College of Denver. She went on to finish a MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Early Childhood Education in 2009. Aside from teaching at the CMC, Breckenridge Campus, she has been the Assistant Director at The Little Red Schoolhouse for 6 years.

LISA VENZ has a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and an M.A. in Education from the University of Maryland. She has taught and developed Spanish curriculum at Summit School District for nine years. Sheen joys teaching Spanish and its culture to students and continues to tutor in Spanish at all levels.

STEVE VLASS – Executive Chef at Keystone Ranch.

SUSAN VLASS – Executive Pastry Chef at Copper Mountain.

IVO WAERLOP holds a D.C. from New York Chiropractic College, Neurology Diplomat from Logan Chiropractic College, and a B.S. from SUNY. Ivo maintains a private practice in Silverthorne and lectures throughout the U.S. and Canada.

LEANNE M.WIRTA holds an M.A. in Art (drawing and painting emphasis) from California State University at Chico, did postgraduate work in painting at California State University at San Diego, and holds a B.A. in Studio Art (drawing and painting emphasis) from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Leanne has taught as an adjunct faculty member for CMC for more than ten years.

MICHELLE WOODS-PENNISI holds a B.F.A. with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She furthered her education by attending Utah State University and participating in multiple residencies.

JOANNE YANTZ holds a Masters in the Art of Teaching (MAT) from Marygrove College in Detroit, a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Her public school teaching experience includes a position as Writing Content Specialist in Hillsboro Township Public Schools.

LT. COL. NICHOLAS ZEISLER holds a BS in Mathematics from Colorado State University, and MS from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University.  He is an Assistant Professor at the US Air Force Academy, where he’s been teaching calculus and statistics since 2006, and adjunct faculty at CMC since 2010.  He is the alumni advisor for Sigma Pi Fraternity’s chapter at CU-Boulder, and is very active in program development for the international organization.

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