News

History Repeats Itself

Starting this fall, 14 departments were consolidated into seven schools, each with a director, while keeping nursing as the only stand-alone department.

Department chairs retained some program-specific responsibilities, with directors overseeing all the programs and reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs Kent Buchanan, Ph.D. Programs that span across many departments including general education, associate’s degrees, interdisciplinary studies, and first year seminar report to Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Margaret Doell.

“There have already been some payoffs from the restructuring in the development of new major emphases with an interdisciplinary approach that we feel will be beneficial to our students,” Buchanan said.

Adams State is currently developing non-degree credentials, certificates and micro-credentials, that research indicates are critical for traditional and non-traditional students now and in the future. The collaborations between schools will help in the development of these credentials.

Reorganization:

The School of Science, Mathematics, and Technology

• Interim Director Matt Nehring, Ph.D. • Department of Biology, Geosciences; and

Department of Chemistry, Computer Science, and

Mathematics

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences

• Director Colleen Schaffner, Ph.D. • Departments of Psychology; Sociology; History,

Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science, and

Spanish; and English, Communication and Media

The School of Visual and Performing Arts

• Director John Taylor, Ph.D. • Departments of Music, Art, and Theatre

The School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences

• Director Terry Dupler, Ph.D. • Departments of Kinesiology; Outdoor Education & Stewardship and Food Studies programs

The School of Counselor Education

• Director Cheri Meder, Ph.D.

The School of Education

• Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D. • Teacher Education and Higher Education

Administration and Leadership

The School of Business

• Director Liz Thomas-Hensley, Ph.D.

The Department of Nursing

• Director Melissa Milner, Ph.D.

Alamosa High School students ready for CNA exam

Pictured, AHS CNA students include, left to right, first row, Hiral Patel, Mica Raya, Kayla Medina, Kailyn Vigil, Delia Pablo; second row, Mayra Cristobal, Lia Castillo, Ariel Vigil, Skyler Cerny, Antonia Jimenez-Gonzalez; third row, Aracely Pedro Pablo, Ben Jackson, Jacqueline Gonzalez, and Kristi Hillis, MSN, RN, Alamosa District School Nurse. Not pictured, Angelica Chacon, Jada Pinto, Sara Salas, and Lila Velasquez.

Alamosa High School partnered with Adams State University to offer students the opportunity to participate in a Certified Nurse Assistant program during the fall semester. Upon successful completion of their coursework, students will take their board exam and then be able to enter the field of healthcare.

Andy Lavier, Adams State Class of 1997 and Alamosa High School principal, approached Kristi Hillis, MSN, RN, Alamosa District School Nurse, with the idea of starting the program. He wants more career and technical education classes for students. “With the current nursing shortage, we wanted to help get more students in the healthcare field,” Hillis said. “Our hope is that they are able to enter the workforce as a CNA and then continue on into the nursing field if they choose.”

Hillis appreciates the help from Adams State. “We could not have done this without Adams State.” Adams State Nursing Department Chair Melissa Milner, D.N.P., helped Hillis with the state board application. “Melissa and Kim Chacon (assistant professor of nursing) are there for me as a reference when I have questions.” Renae Haslett, Adams State Extended Studies program director, helped get the program set up so that it is a dual enrollment class.

A Week in Celebration of Veterans and their Perspectives

Veterans Day at Adams State was different this year. For the first time, the university’s Veterans Center hosted a weeklong series of events to commemorate the sacrifices soldiers have made.

The week began with a bake sale that helped a local group raising funds for a military memorial. The next day brought students and community members together for a viewing of the movie Zero Dark Thirty. Midway through the week, a panel of veterans discussed their perspectives on the global war on terror. On Veterans Day itself, the Center hosted a barbecue luncheon, and the week ended with an informative lecture on the evolution and future of U.S. military small arms.

Of all the events, the luncheon stood out as a highlight for James Owens, Adams State’s veterans and military affairs coordinator. “The lunch was in the student union building, and we had about 40 guests, a mix of students, veterans, dependents and community members who came out,” he says. “Folks showed up to have a meal and good conversation. It was really nice. We had a table in the back left corner of the room where we showed gratitude for those who were not able to make it—our POWs and MIAs. On the right side, we had all the service flags hanging, with the Stars and Stripes in the center of the room.”

Owens designed the events to align with the center’s overall mission, which is to advocate for Adams State students who are veterans. “I try to bring their voices into the conversations that might impact them,” he says.

Along those lines, the panel discussion was particularly relevant. “The whole point of the panel was to give service members’ perspectives of the war, what it was like to be there, to meet and talk with locals, and our perspective on how everything ended,” he says. “One community member told me it gave her something to think about. To me, that was a big success. I didn’t want us to repeat common political tropes in the presentation. I wanted people to get the human aspect of the war.” by Andy Brown

Ramirez named first recipient of the Brody Geiser memorial scholarship

Jeff Geiser, Ph.D. made a surprise return to Rex Stadium on November 3 to award a scholarship to Adams State defensive lineman and Alamosa native Angelo Ramirez.

Geiser served as the head football coach at Adams State University for thirteen seasons (1984-1996), taking his team to back-to-back playoff berths. Earning his doctorate during his coaching tenure at Adams State, Geiser subsequently served as the department chair of exercise, physiology, and leisure science and as Adams State’s athletic director before serving as athletic director at Eastern New Mexico University. Following the tragic death of his son, Brody, in 2020, Jeff and his wife, Nancy, established a memorial scholarship to support a student athlete from the San Luis Valley. On November 3, 2021, the Geisers formally awarded the scholarship to Angelo Ramirez, currently a defensive lineman for the Adams State Grizzlies and a wildlife biology major. Ramirez was a standout player for Alamosa High School’s Mean Moose, earning all-conference, all-valley, and all-state honors in 2017, and is now a stalwart starter for the Grizzlies’ defense.

“I’m hoping something good can come out of a tragedy,” said Geiser, recalling that Brody literally followed him on the sidelines of Rex Stadium, handling the cord for his father’s head set and serving as a ball boy for the football team. Coach Geiser reminded the Grizzly players to “have fun” as they pursue athletic success on the gridiron. Nominated by Head Coach Jarrell Harrison to receive the award, Ramirez represents the values inherent in the scholarship of teamwork and dedication.

Jeff Geiser, Pd.D. with scholarship recipient Angelo Ramirez.

“Finish What You Started” Program to Help Valley Students Get Their Degrees

Students who enrolled in college but dropped out before they could earn their degrees have a new opportunity to return, and the state of Colorado will help pay for it.

The “Finish What You Started” initiative is administered by the Department of Education’s Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI). Adams State received $678,546 to help students in the San Luis Valley complete their postsecondary degrees.

“Data shows many students enroll and never start, or never finish their first semester. Another group of students start school but drop out after one or two years,” says Chayne Boutillette, director of COSI programs at Adams State. “They came to school and for some reason, whether it was related to family issues or money issues, or something else entirely, they could not stay.”

For example, Boutillette recalls a student who enrolled several years ago but immediately dropped out after a member of her household lost their job. That student felt she had no choice but to return to work to ensure the family had an income. If she were to return through this program, the state would provide funds to support her and students in similar situations.

“For someone like her, the money might go towards child care or to pay past bills related to schooling. The program would help with that kind of support, as well as traditional tuition, fees, and books,” says Boutillette. “The state gives a lot of leeway in how we support students who return. If they’re committed to coming back, we’re committed to supporting them.”

That support extends beyond financial help. The Finish What You Started program also ensures that returning students have a point of contact as they navigate their college experience. “I’m here to walk them through any barriers that come up, whether it’s financial, or they have trouble getting a transcript, or if they feel like they have to go back to work. They bring those issues to me, and we come up with a plan, so it’s less likely they drop out,” says Boutillette. “It matters, because our data shows that having a support person on campus increases persistence and completion.”

by Andy Brown

Chance Strand is the first recipient of the Robby Henriksen Memorial Scholarship, established by Henriksen’s parents, Judy and Tom.

Robby, Class of 2008, was an organismal biology major. He passed away unexpectedly in 2020.

Did you know that a gift of long-term appreciated securities is a quick and easy way to maximize your giving?

Why Consider This Gift?

• It is quick and easy. You simply instruct your broker to transfer a number of shares from your account to Adams State University’s account. Please contact our office for information on how to make a stock transfer. • Your gift qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction and you avoid paying capital gains tax. • Even if you do not itemize, you benefit by avoiding the capital gains tax you would have paid had you sold the appreciated stock. • You can make a bigger gift at a lower cost.

For more information on this and other taxwise gift giving options, please contact Karen Wibrew at kwibrew@adams.edu or 719-587-7165.

It is wise to consult with your tax professionals if you are contemplating a charitable gift. This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Make your gift go twice as far!

Did you know many employers match donations made by employees, employees’ spouses, and retirees? A matching gift can double or triple your donation to

Adams State University. Check with your human resources department to learn if your company has a matching AStatergift program.

Proud sponsor of Adams100