Colorado Mountain College Provides Affordable College Education Opportunities For Steamboat Springs
Earning a college degree may not be the first thing that comes to mind about things to do in Steamboat Springs. However, this ranching town with an international reputation for snow sports is churning out graduates in subjects from sustainability to culinary arts. Steamboat is one of 11 campuses of Colorado Mountain College serving nine counties. The college offers five Bachelors, 54 Associate and 77 Certificate degrees. Tuition is one of the lowest in the country and the lowest in Colorado. Currently over 1,200 students attend the school.
Steamboat Springs High School Partners with Colorado Mountain College
Over the last few years, dual enrollment classes with Steamboat Springs High School have doubled. In 2020, over 100 high schoolers took CMC classes. Students can attend classes on campus or at SSHS taught by teachers who are accredited by CMC. The partnership allows students to gain college credit and build a transcript that will transfer classes to other Colorado public universities and colleges, at little to no cost.
CMC Adapts Through Online Programming and Smaller Class Sizes During COVID-19
Despite the current pandemic, the college has been able to adapt through online programming and small class sizes. Public access to facilities and community classes were stopped helping the campus avoid a COVID-19 outbreak. Around 100 students are currently living in the dorms at the Steamboat campus. Investment in technology accelerated in 2020. Classroom systems allow delivery from any classroom across the college system, enabling instruction from faculty at other campuses. “Students will always want in-person education, smaller classes, connection with other students and faculty, that is the hallmark of the CMC experience,” said JC Norling, Interim Campus VP/ Dean of the Steamboat campus.Hands-on learning, internships and life skills bring theory to life at CMC. Classrooms are not just rooms in buildings, but the magnificent public lands that surround each campus. “The college will always remain rooted to the community.” Norling said.
