Join the Office of Communications and Marketing tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 23, from 3-4 p.m. in Bemis Great Hall for Brand Expression in Digital: CC’s Web Refresh, part of the Work of the College: Brand Refresh Miniseries.

This engaging session offers an inside look at the next chapter of CC’s digital presence. You’ll learn how the Web & Digital Experience Program is bringing our refreshed brand to life online—through more accessible, cohesive, and dynamic design. Mark Lee, Web & Digital Experience Program Director, will share the program’s goals, project timeline, and show a few exciting sneak previews of what’s ahead for the CC website.

Bring your curiosity—see you tomorrow at Bemis!

The Work of the College Series is a year-long program of events with four goals: (1) clarify organizational structures and decision-making processes; (2) offer campus constituencies the opportunity to dialogue with leadership about campus affairs; (3) increase decision-making transparency in hopes of building trust; and (4) build community.

The Work of the College Series consists of:

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Colorado Springs, CO 80903

With Block 3 underway, we find ourselves in that familiar and fruitful middle ground of the academic year. We are finding a rhythm as we surpass 2/8 of the current academic year, yet plans for the next one are already emerging. Now is the time when course ideas stretch beyond their initial frames and take on new shapes through collaboration. Our upcoming Crown Center workshop, “Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Teaching,” offers a space to think alongside one another about what happens when we teach together, especially across disciplines, methodologies, and ways of knowing. These are the moments when our classrooms most fully reflect the liberal arts ideal. It is where curiosity becomes connectivity. 

As we sketch courses for next year, it is worth pausing to imagine how collaboration might inform that process. How might you connect an envisioned CC120 to an existing CC100 in another department? What could interdisciplinarity add to an experiential learning course, such as a Community-Engaged Learning or Career Catalyst Block? Who have you always wanted to teach with—for an hour, a day, a week, a block—but still haven’t asked?  

These kinds of experiments—from interdisciplinary modules to full team-taught blocks—are part of what makes teaching at Colorado College distinctive. Our recent move to #5 in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking for Best Undergraduate Teaching, up from our historical average of #10, offers external affirmation of what we already know: something meaningful happens here when we teach with intention and togetherness. Rankings, of course, are imperfect mirrors. But they remind us that others notice what we have built and continue to build together, highlighting our work beyond the academic calendar of the Block Plan itself. 

So, as the days shorten and our collective rhythm deepens, I invite you to take this moment to reconnect with the spirit of collaboration that defines our work. Reach out to colleagues across campus, join us at the workshop, celebrate what we are already doing, and share your ideas as we shape the next generation of interdisciplinary teaching at CC. 

Sincerely, 

Ryan Raul Bañagale 

Director, Crown Center for Teaching 

On October 6, Marion Hourdequin facilitated a Crown workshop on advising, emphasizing taking a holistic, student-centered approach to helping students navigate their CC education. Materials and a video of the workshop are available on the Crown Canvas page. Please email Crown Associate Director Jessica Hunter for access. 

“(Creativity) provides a kind of intimacy with life in a way that sometimes cognition or rational analysis simply does not.” — Dr. Jeremy Nobel

In Blocks 5 and 6, Health and Wellbeing, Arts & Crafts at CC, Creativity & Innovation, and the NEH Professorship are collaborating with the Colorado Arts Resiliency Lab (CORAL) to run a study on how arts experiences create community and combat the effects of stress. The results of the study will help shape future arts and wellness initiatives at CC. Look for more information and registration in the coming weeks, or email Jessica Hunter with questions.

CC classes have special access to all three programming areas of the Fine Arts Center: Museum, Theatre, and Art School. Curious how a visual, performing, or hands-on art experience could support your teaching? FAC staff can help identify meaningful connections to your course content. Contact Blair Huff, FAC Academic Engagement Manager, to explore the possibilities.  

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Crown Workshop “Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Teaching” by Jameel Paulin, Cory B. Scott, John Gould, Elizabeth Coggins, and Patrizia Herminjard. Register on the Crown Website.

Thursday, Nov. 6, noon-1:45 p.m., C&I Workshop “Assessing Creative Assignments” by Jessica Hunter and Kris Stanec. Register on the C&I Website.

Join us this January by engaging in the Week of Action, Jan. 12-16, 2026. Week of Action is a week of opportunities and events that aim to mobilize and inspire staff and faculty to engage in local community-based work and build community. We encourage departmental teams and individuals to join us for a two-three hour community engagement activity. To express interest as a team or individually, please complete this form by Friday, Oct 31. 

The NEH Professorship offers Humanities in Partnership Grants (HIP) of up to $3,000 for the academic year 2025-26 to faculty projects that connect to NEH themes. Read more for descriptions of grant categories and application instructions. Applications are due by noon on the third Monday of each Block. The Block 3 deadline is Monday Oct. 10 at noon. Please contact Jessica Hunter with any questions.

As we start to feel the crisp air and see the leaves change color with the shifting seasons, it is essential to remember the importance of community. While the beauty of seasonal changes charms some, it also signals the start of a difficult time for others. Amid increasing work and the fast pace of the block, make sure to check on those you are in community with. Ask how they are doing and remind them that you might be a source of support or that other supports are available within the larger CC community.

One essential part of all this is learning how to focus on rest and the idea of thriving, not just surviving. Maya Angelou said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Thriving requires joy and the space to take a step back and reflect on what we need, rather than just doing what must be done. So, in this season of change and as we approach the end of the year, take time to center yourself and your community. Find joy with those who matter most. And most importantly, remember we are in this together.

Yours in the quest for joy,

Christopher

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education carried out an additional Reduction in Force (RIF), severely impacting the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). This action left a few top level individuals to oversee the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and reduces the federal government’s capacity to oversee and support programs serving students with disabilities. This loss of oversight and technical assistance poses significant challenges for higher education institutions, which depend on federal guidance to ensure compliance with disability laws, access to accommodations, and equitable educational practices. The cuts also impact related offices, such as Civil Rights and Federal Student Aid, raising concerns about delayed funding, weakened enforcement of nondiscrimination laws, and increased administrative burdens for colleges and universities. A federal judge has since blocked the firing of federal employees leaving a final outcome of OSERS still to be determined. You can read more about this on the Associated Press.

At this time, there are no direct impacts to Colorado College’s support for students with disabilities and those with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Resources.

IDEAL tested a new equity audit tool that will soon be available to campus for use in preparing policies and insuring there are no disparate impacts. If you are interested in applying an equity lens to a policy or project, email belonging@coloradcollege.edu.

The Office of Institutional Equity and Belonging offers up to $250 in co-sponsorship funding for campus events that promote equity and justice. Departments, offices, student groups, and athletic teams may apply by submitting the request form with required materials. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions issued within two weeks. Funded events must acknowledge IEB’s support in all communications and include the IEB logo on promotional materials. For questions, contact the Office of IEB directly or refer to this form.

This year’s parade will be on December 6th and we’re gathering interest for participation. Please fill out this form if you are interested in participating in this year’s parade. We are looking for folks interested in marching, designing, and building a float that celebrates the season of introspection, renewal, and transformation while representing Colorado College at this 41st annual community event. We will likely meet during lunch hours and Block 3 Block break to plan and build. Everyone welcome. Lunch provided.

Friday, Oct. 24, from 8–11 p.m. in Gaylord Hall, Worner

Goth Prom: Night of the Living Dead

Join us for Goth Prom: Night of the Living Dead, a hauntingly fun evening of music and dark elegance hosted by The Butler Center. Dance the night away with DJ OSO and celebrate the crowning of Goth Prom Royalty. Hosted by The Butler Center.

Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1–3 p.m., Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, virtual training

Colorado’s New Immigration Law: SB276 Community Training

Learn how SB276 helps protect immigrant communities in Colorado. Learn about new requirements for local agencies, handling personal information, and interactions with federal immigration authorities. Hosted by the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.

Register today.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 12:15–1 p.m. at Sacred Grounds

Talking Circle

Please join Elder Debbie, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Wellness Resource Center for this block’s Talking Circle; a traditional indigenous method of bringing people together for sharing perspectives, personal reflection, and experiences. Lunch provided. Hosted by the Elder-in-Residence.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 12:30-2:30 p.m. in Arts and Crafts

Drag It Out

Join us for a hands-on drag workshop with Colorado Springs drag king Mario Wanna! Learn the basics of costuming, makeup, and serving face in style. Hosted by the Queer and Trans Collective.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Cornerstone Screening room

Black Filmmaker Series: “Get Out”

Screening and small discussion of the film immediately after viewing. Hosted by The Butler Center.

Thursday, Oct. 30, from 3–7 p.m. at Bemis School of Art. 

Dia De Muertos Mini Ofrenda Making 

Drop in between 3 to 7 p.m. to learn about the history of traditional Mexican ofrendas and create your own. Hosted by the Fine Arts Center.

Oct 30–Nov. 5 at Shove Side Chapel

Día de Muertos

Join us Oct. 30–Nov. 5 in Shove Side Chapel to honor loved ones through the Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, a space for remembrance, reflection, and celebration of life. Bring or send a photo to add to the altar and take part in this meaningful cultural tradition. Hosted by the Chaplain’s office.

Friday, Oct. 31, from 12–1:30 p.m. in the RTD Lounge. 

Mischief and Mayhem Halloween Party 

Get spooky and silly at Mischief & Mayhem on October 31 with Filipino food, Hamilton karaoke, and costumes channeling Beetlejuice, zombies, or Alexander Hamilton! Hosted by The Butler Center.

Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2, from 4–8 p.m. and 12:30–4:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center 

Día de Muertos 

Join us for a special community gathering for Día de Muertos, a celebration of life that demonstrates remembrance, love, and respect for those who have gone before us. Choose to come on either Nov. 1 or Nov. 2, or celebrate with us on both days! This event is free and open to the public. Find more information here.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Sacred Grounds 

Make Your Own Frybread and Wojapi 

Join us on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Sacred Grounds to make your own delicious frybread and wojapi and enjoy an evening of community! Hosted by the Elder-in-Residence.

Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 3–5 p.m. in the Tutt Library 

Unbound + Antiracist Book Club 

Join us Wednesday, November 5th from 3-5pm at Tutt Library for an Unbound + ABC collaboration – “How to Start a Book Club.” This will be a fun time for anyone who has been reading our ABC selections or for anyone who has just started joined with our latest selection – Nuclear Nuevo Mexico. Come connect and learn about ABC. Open to all. More details are forthcoming.

Throughout the Block, there are many cultural and religious observances. Please visit our website to learn about the many ways you can engage and support these observances on campus and in the community. 

Join CC Associate Professor of Spanish & Portuguese Andreea Marinescu for the Block 3 Faculty Lunch talk, “Contemporary Cultural Representations of Motherhood in Latin America” on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 12:15–1:30 p.m. in Bemis Great Hall. Faculty and staff are invited to attend.  Learn more about this event. 

Please register by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Lunch will be provided.

Reach out to kettleman@coloradocollege.edu“> Keragan Ettleman with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

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14 E. Cache La Poudre St. | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US

You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Colorado College community. Thank you for the important work you do each day.

The Music Department hummed with the activity of innovative classes and dynamic performances in Block 2. We hope you can join us for more fun in Block 3!

Tapestry of Sound: Marking Five Decades of Composition by Ofer Ben-Amots
Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
Packard Hall
Professor Ofer Ben-Amots interweaves folk elements with contemporary textures and imaginative orchestration to create a haunting dynamic tension that defines his musical language. FREE

Live from Packard Hall: CC Faculty Artists Concert
Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m.
Packard Hall
An array of chamber music, from Baroque to Contemporary, performed by our very own CC Music Faculty. FREE

Music at Midday
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 12:15 p.m.
Packard Hall
Don’t miss this opportunity to see the variety and talent of CC students as they perform instrumental and vocal works. FREE

Music and Gender in Jane Austen’s England
On Monday, Oct. 13, students from Professor Dr. Lidia Chang’s Music and Gender in Jane Austen’s England turned Bemis Hall into an authentic, Regency-era salon, complete with music, dancing, poetry, live figure drawing, and good conversation. The class was joined by special musical guests, Laura Klein (CU Boulder), and Elisa Wicks (CC) for accompanied sonatas and concertos by Clementi, Schobert, and J.C. Bach. This event is becoming Chang’s favorite tradition in the Music Department, and she looks forward to hosting more salon concerts with her students in the future.

Students created salon invitations at the CC Printing Press. 

Music in Manitou
By Visiting Instructor Ever Reyes

The smell of coffee fills the café. Dishes clink as “Casey Jones” by the Grateful Dead plays over the café speakers. The class, Music in Manitou, gathers around three combined coffee tables. Warm cappuccinos and lattes in hand, the students discuss the readings from the night before. We talk about ethnomusicology and research methods, and converse on the connections between music, society, political economy, and history. As I look around the table, I smile as all the students are engaged, asking pertinent questions and contributing their points of view over the loud whirling of the espresso machine.

Music in Manitou is an immersive class where students work within the Manitou Springs community, engaging with concepts and theory from the fields of ethnomusicology and sociology. Through class field trips to Manitou (supported by the Music Department, the Community-Engaged Curriculum Grant, and the Center for Global Education and Field Study), students create a podcast that explores the musical lives and stories of local artists and musicians—recording the sounds of the city, interviewing residents and tourists, and participating in musical events to explore the relationship between music, art, and larger social structures. In celebration of the students’ achievements, their podcasts were shared with the Manitou community over food, music, and a community jam session at the Manitou Arts Center.

Homecoming Music Ensembles Showcase
The Music Department celebrated Homecoming Weekend with performances by Tiger Jazz, Gamelan Tunjung Sari, CC Bluegrass, and the Chamber Chorus.

Homecoming Ensemble Showcase Photo Credit: Serena Nguyen

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14 E. Cache La Poudre St. | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US

You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Colorado College community. Thank you for the important work you do each day.

The President’s Leadership Awards recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of CC faculty and staff—and they are made possible through the engagement of our community. Nominating a colleague is the most visible way to join in (start your nomination here) but there are many other meaningful ways to be involved.

You can:

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Presidential Special Assistant Rachel Deon.

Learn more about the program and submit your nomination by Friday, Oct. 31 at President’s Leadership Awards.

As the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the United States both mark their 250th anniversaries, this lecture presented by Dr. Shannon Jackson reflects on how the arts help shape civic identity and free expression. Through historic and contemporary examples, we’ll explore how public art challenges our understanding of community and opens us to new possibilities of what democracy can mean.

Thursday, Nov. 6 | 6 p.m.
Cornerstone Arts Center Film Screening Room

Get ready to duck, dodge, and parry! This block, Theatre and Dance welcomes Sean Verdu, a Colorado Springs-based performer, educator, and fight choreographer, for an action-packed TH200 Dramatic Encounters: Stage Combat Techniques on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Cornerstone 130 at 4 p.m.

A graduate of East 15 Acting School in London, Verdu has performed around the world, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. He has over 17 years of experience choreographing fights for stage.

In this high-energy class, Verdu guides students through the art of safe, powerful storytelling through movement. His passion for helping young performers take big creative risks (and land them safely!) makes this a course not to miss.

This block, Giovanni Ortega returns to CC to lead an inspiring deep dive into the art and craft of Playwriting. A playwright, performer, and professor whose work champions inclusion and cross-cultural understanding, Ortega invites students to explore story structure, dialogue, and character through a lens of authenticity and connection.

With over a decade of experience working with theatre companies and communities across the globe, Ortega brings his signature warmth and curiosity to the classroom, creating a space where every student’s voice matters and every story has power.

Catch Ortega teaching TH217 3321: Playwriting this block and will return in Block 6!

Award-winning choreographer and educator Suzanne Costello guides students through a powerful journey at the intersection of art and healing in Moving Together: The Power of Arts, Health, and Well-Being.

A pioneer in arts and health programming, Costello has led creative initiatives across the U.S. and abroad, from work with cancer patients and veterans to her groundbreaking Caring for the Caregiver project. In this course, students explore how movement and creativity can build empathy, community, and connection across disciplines.

Catch Costello teaching DA200 3311: Moving Together this block!

With Associate Professor Ryan Platt
Dive into the art of what makes us laugh! This new course explores comedy in all its forms, stand-up, improv, sketch, and performance art, while giving students the chance to write, experiment, and perform original material. Discover how humor challenges convention and builds community, all while sharpening your creative instincts.

With Associate Professor Marie Davis
Explore how scenery and space can become powerful storytellers in this hands-on design course. Students will learn how landscapes shape emotion, meaning, and movement on stage while experimenting with visual composition, texture, and symbolism. Perfect for theatre artists eager to blend imagination with design.

Enroll during pre-registration in Block 3 to secure your spot!

We’re excited to introduce this year’s Theatre and Dance Department Student Representatives!
These dedicated students have volunteered to serve as a bridge between peers, faculty, and staff—helping to foster communication, share ideas, and keep our department community thriving.

Have a question, suggestion, concern, or shout-out to share? Reach out to your reps—they’re here for you.

Many thanks to Carina, Ella, and Snezana for their leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to the department.

Snežana Radoičić – Sophomore, Theatre Minor, Economics Major 

Bella Boyd Brocker – Junior, Double Major in Dance and Creative Writing  

Carina Rockart – Senior, Theatre Major in Design

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903