A program aimed at addressing an increasingly diverse student body is the result of an initiative developed by Eli Michaels ’13, who recently served as the Sociology Department’s paraprofessional. “Block breaks are a big divider on campus,” she said. “A lot of kids go off on trips, but a lot of others can’t, for a variety of reasons. I thought there should be an in-between space between staying in your dorm and skiing in Vail.”

The trips have been a huge success. “It makes me feel like CC’s looking out for the whole community by having sponsored break field trips,” said Rachel Ehlers ’17. The alternative block break excursions are run by the Sociology Department and supported by the Dean of Students Office, President’s Office, and Office of Minority and International Students.

Michaels spoke with Sociology Associate Professor Kathy Giuffre and Dean of Students Mike Edmonds about offering programs during block breaks that would feature fun, local things to do that were low-cost or free. “The discipline of sociology is concerned with issues of community building. We wanted to take some of our academic ideas about community and put them into practice,” Giuffre said of the decision to house the program in the Sociology Department.

“Eli took over completely from that point — organizing everything, coming up with the ideas for places to go and activities to do, taking RSVPs, getting transportation arranged, heading the trips, etc. This is really Eli’s work — she made it all happen,” Giuffre said.

Michaels organized a series of three-day events after Blocks 3, 5, and 7. “The goal is to provide opportunities for the students who are staying on campus during the break, to showcase different parts of Colorado Springs, provide free transportation and lots of food, and to offer diverse, fun, and accessible programs to anyone who signs up,” she said. Each excursion features a cultural, outdoor, and restaurant option. “Not everyone is into camping or hiking,” she said. “Not everyone owns a sleeping bag.” Trips have included visits to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Manitou Incline, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Glen Eyrie, and numerous local restaurants. All costs are covered by the college.