The Colorado College Board of Trustees met on campus for our annual winter meeting, February 19-21, 2026. As always, being on campus offers perspectives that can only be gained through presence—observing, listening, and participating in the daily life of the College. For many of us who are also alumni, it is a meaningful reminder of the extraordinary experience we are privileged to steward.
Several Trustees attended classes on Wednesday—an intentional practice in recent years. Returning to the classroom grounds our work in the heart of the CC experience and sets the tone for our meetings. A number of Trustees also joined Cabinet members for breakfast in Rastall on our first morning, continuing our commitment to direct engagement across the campus community.
During plenary sessions, we discussed the evolving NCAA/NIL landscape and its implications for CC’s multidivisional athletics ecosystem. We received updates on the institutional review, progress on the science building, deferred maintenance priorities, and current enrollment trends. Each of these discussions centered on strengthening CC’s academic and financial foundation amid an increasingly dynamic and competitive higher education landscape.
Trustees also met with members of Staff Council, the Faculty Executive Committee, and students participating in the Career Catalyst Block at the Aspen Institute. These conversations reflect our commitment to shared governance and to hearing directly from those who shape the College’s work every day. Your perspectives matter, and we are grateful for the candor and partnership that inform our stewardship.
Our evenings were equally full. We attended a brand showcase marking the culmination of years of work to articulate CC’s story with greater clarity. This effort positions us to navigate industry headwinds while reinforcing what sets Colorado College apart. Trustees also cheered on the Tigers at men’s hockey and women’s basketball games and attended the Fine Arts Center’s performance of The Roommate—reminders of the vibrancy of campus life beyond the classroom.
Over the course of our time together, the Board approved:
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- A 3.72% increase in the comprehensive fee, reflecting disciplined cost management while sustaining our immersive Block Plan model, supporting employee compensation, addressing deferred maintenance, and responding to inflationary pressures. We remain committed to access and opportunity, with significant institutional resources dedicated to financial aid. For additional details, please visit the tuition and fees webpage.
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- Tenure and promotion to Associate Professor effective July 1, 2026, for five faculty members:
- Liliana Carrizo, Associate Professor of Music & the Christine S. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Music
- Chantal Figueroa, Associate Professor of Sociology
- Cayce Hughes, Associate Professor of Sociology
- Adam Light, Associate Professor of Physics
- Brandon Shimoda, Associate Professor of English
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- Emeritus status for nine faculty members:
- Rick Furtak, Associate Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
- Claire Oberon Garcia, Dean Emerita & Professor Emerita of English
- Eve Grace, Associate Professor Emerita of Political Science
- Hong Jiang, Professor Emerita of Chinese
- Jonathan Scott Lee, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
- Dwanna McKay, Associate Professor Emerita of Race, Ethnicity, & Migration Studies, In Memoriam
- Carol L. Neel, Professor Emerita of History
- Patricia L. Waters, Professor Emerita of Psychology
- Shawn Womack, Professor Emerita of Theatre & Dance
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On behalf of the Board, we extend our congratulations and deep appreciation to the faculty members recognized for their accomplishments and sustained dedication to teaching and scholarship.
As we look ahead to the release of our next institutional strategic plan this fall, the Board devoted significant time to discussing CC’s trajectory and long-term strength. Grounded in the work of the past several years, this plan will clarify our priorities, align resources intentionally, and reinforce our shared commitment to claiming—and sustaining—our distinctive place in higher education.
President Whitaker and I shared more reflections from the February meeting at the Board of Trustees Town Hall on Monday, March 2. A Town Hall recording is available for alumni, parents and families, and campus community members.
The Board’s responsibility is to steward Colorado College for the long term. That responsibility is made possible by the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and families who advance the College’s mission every day. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring that Colorado College continues to serve students in ways few institutions can.
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CC Board of Trustees Chair
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14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
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