More and more students at University Centers

Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:18 PM CDT
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It’s hard to believe that only two years ago the volunteer community group that initiated the non-profit University Centers of the San Miguel was still deciding if it would be possible to begin to offer a few college classes locally for the fall 2005 semester. Since then, the UCSM has become a well-established community institution with popular year round courses such as Spanish and computer applications always filling quickly. An increasing number of students is now starting or continuing college level in classrooms located in several San Miguel Watershed communities and taught by a talented local core of highly qualified faculty. UCSM’s new registrar and history instructor, Christie Harrison, says, “It is exciting to meet so many people with enthusiasm for continuing their education and training. It makes my job really fun and rewarding.”

The newest course to be offered by UCSM is called Stories from Stones; Geology of the San Juans. Local geologist and climber, Austin Zinsser, M.S., is the instructor for this six-week field trip based course, which will take students to local sites of special geologic interest and history beginning July 9. This is the only course this summer that offers a college credit option according to director Sarah Silver, but for those interested in environmental study, UCSM’s Fall 2007 schedule includes a three-credit Introduction to Environmental Science course as well as other academic courses.

UCSM, which is designed as a rural non-profit college access program, rather than a college in its own right, partners with accredited institutions such as Mesa State College, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and Prescott College to offer its college level courses.

For those wanting to stay in the Telluride area but still work toward a college degree, the University Centers now has a “Pathways to a Degree” program in place. There are a variety of options for college study available depending on what each student needs. UCSM’s professional counseling staff works with people of all ages who want to fulfill their ambitions for a degree and follow their career interests. For further information on courses and programs, the UCSM office number is 369-5255 or tap into the website at www.ucsanmiguel.org.

UCSM’s access to higher education programs are underwritten in part by grants from the Town of Telluride CCAASE, Mountain Village Owners Association, San Miguel County, Town of Mountain Village, Telluride Foundation and private and business contributions.