Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,<\/p>\n
In our technologically dynamic society, we as educators are confronted with the challenge of preparing our students for jobs that don\u2019t yet exist. While we may not be certain what the job market will look like in five years, we can be certain that the skills our students gain through their liberal arts education will remain valuable five, 10, and even 50 years from now. Skills such as resilience, collaboration, comfort with ambiguity, and creativity equip our students to find both professional and personal fulfillment throughout their lives.<\/p>\n
As the naturalist E.O. Wilson remarked, \u201cThe world henceforth will be run by synthesizers \u2014 people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.\u201d To support our students in becoming the synthesizers of the future, we developed a new recommendation in our strategic plan addendum: \u201cConnect the CC Experience.\u201d This recommendation focuses on helping our students to build connections across diverse communities, disciplines, and academic and co-curricular experiences, and to link their CC education to their future aspirations.<\/p>\n
The types of connections vary widely. Through our Public Interest Fellowship Program, students and recent graduates receive mentoring from Colorado nonprofit leaders and contribute innovative ideas to their partner organizations. This year, 22 summer fellows and 14 yearlong fellows will serve with nonprofits in Denver and Colorado Springs. Another way we\u2019re strengthening our connection to the Colorado Springs community is through PikeRide, a bikeshare program launched by the Downtown Partnership in June.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, we\u2019re encouraging our students to \u201cthink outside the block\u201d by connecting their curricular and co-curricular experiences. Innovation at CC provides a space where work merges with play, empowering students to use creativity, design thinking, risk\/failure\/resilience, and mindfulness as tools for change making.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n For example, Innovation at CC and the State of the Rockies Project are supporting four student interns as they develop a proposal for enhancements to Monument Creek. The innovation program is also collaborating with faculty to offer interdisciplinary courses that engage students\u2019 creativity. One example featured is \u201cThe Moving Line\u201d creative writing course co-taught by calligraphic performance artist Barbara Bash and English Professor Jane Hilberry.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Finally, we hope to prepare our students to leverage their CC experience as they embark on their post-graduate pursuits. The story featuring Parker McVey \u201918<\/b> and Beka <\/b><\/span>Adair \u201916<\/b><\/a> illustrates some of the ways our young alumni are building upon CC connections to launch their careers.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n One of the best resources for supporting our students in this transition is you \u2014 our alumni, parents, and friends. Your insight, expertise, and connections are invaluable in helping students articulate their personal narratives and define their goals for the future.
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