Stay informed and engaged with the latest HR updates, including: 

Don’t miss out on essential resources, events, and opportunities! 

Photo provided by Debi O’Connor

Last month, two members of our HR team had the honor of presenting at the 2025 CUPA-HR Annual Conference in Denver, a premier event for higher education HR professionals. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, this conference provides a vital space for HR leaders to share insights, explore innovative strategies, and support one another in facing emerging challenges. Cameron Martin, Director of Total Rewards, participated in a panel discussion with TIAA titled “Retirement on Your Own Terms,” offering valuable perspectives on flexible retirement planning. Debi O’Connor, Director of Employee Relations and Support, joined Ty Nagamatsu, CC Ombuds, to present “Rebuilding Positive Employee Relations with Restorative Tools,” focusing on fostering healthier workplace dynamics. Both sessions were well attended and received positive feedback. Congratulations to Cameron, Debi, and Ty for representing our institution and making meaningful contributions to the national dialogue on HR in higher education.

We’re thrilled to continue meaningful discussions through our Performance Conversations. These conversations provide an opportunity to celebrate what is going well, identify areas that may require extra attention, and make adjustments to stay on track. The next cycle opens on Monday, Dec. 8, and closes on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. While conversations begin before Winter Break and end after, employees who receive the full break off are not expected to work during that time—we encourage you to take that time to rest and recharge. 

Training to Support You  

To ensure everyone feels confident and prepared for these conversations, we will be offering in-person training sessions. We highly recommend attending a session. 

For employees who do not supervise other employees: 

For managers who have direct reports:

We remain committed to making this process meaningful and manageable for all. Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration. 

If you have any further questions, reach out directly to HR. 

We’ve heard feedback that our benefits website can be hard to navigate. HR is in the early stages of refreshing our site, with the goal of making information more accessible and easier to find. As a first step in the process, we have redesigned our benefits guide and posted it on our website. CC is proud to offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support your well-being and help you care for what matters most. Please review the updated benefits guide and let us know what you think! 

New features are available to make managing your voluntary retirement contributions easier: 

What’s New 

Why It Matters  
Take control of your retirement planning with flexible, easy-to-use tools. 

Need Help? 

For account access or changes: 

Photos provided by Debi O’Connor

Our Fall CC Connect event was a great success, with a strong turnout of new employees eager to engage and connect with the broader CC community. This interactive event offers new hires the opportunity to meet college leadership—including every member of the Cabinet who attended this fall—and participate in a fun, fast-paced “speed meeting” activity designed to build connections across departments. A highlight of the event was the Resource Fair held at Robson, where departments from across campus generously shared their time, resources, and CC swag to warmly welcome our newest members. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and involvement of our campus partners. Feedback continues to affirm the impact of events like CC Connect, along with initiatives such as the Ambassador Program and HR’s onboarding process, in making new employees feel genuinely valued and part of the CC community from day one.

Join us in welcoming Ali LaForce, our new Talent Development Specialist! Ali plays a vital role in supporting employee growth and development across the organization. She works closely with HR leadership and stakeholders to design and deliver professional development programming, including Excel at CC and other specialized training initiatives. Ali also provides guidance to employees, supervisors, and managers on developmental opportunities and supports performance evaluation processes. 

Photo provided by Ali LaForce

Born and raised in Colorado, Ali brings over a decade of experience in creating and implementing impactful training programs. Her background spans higher education, human services, and banking. She holds a BA from CSU Pueblo and an MA from CSU Fort Collins. Outside of work, Ali enjoys exploring the arts and finding creative inspiration in her community.

We’re excited to welcome Blayne Rylander to CC! Originally from Arizona, Blayne brings several years of experience in full-cycle recruiting across higher education and corporate environments. Her expertise includes high-volume hiring, technical recruitment, and talent acquisition leadership.

Photo provided by Blayne Rylander

In her role, Blayne partners with HR leadership and hiring managers to source, attract, and onboard top talent, ensuring recruitment strategies align with the College’s mission and ADEI commitment. She also supports initiatives that strengthen CC’s employer brand and engage prospective employees. 

Blayne earned her BAS from CSU and her MBA from Grand Canyon University. She is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), a designation that reflects her dedication to ethical and effective HR practices. Outside of work, Blayne enjoys exploring Colorado, spending time with family, and discovering new restaurants and activities.

Please extend a warm welcome to Kyle Johnson! Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Kyle joins CC from the City of Colorado Springs, where he served as a Human Resources Generalist. He has over half a decade of experience in Human Resources within the non-profit sector, specializing in compensation and benefits. Kyle holds a BS in Human Resources Management and several professional HR certifications, including the SPHR.

Photo provided by Kyle Johnson

In his role at CC, Kyle is dedicated to promoting equity and transparency in compensation and benefits practices. He works closely with HR leadership and campus partners to ensure that fair, consistent, and competitive programs are in place that support the College’s mission and values. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the outdoors.

Visit the HR Updates page to check out past editions of People Connections, along with recent updates from HR.

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

Click on the links below to learn more about the event and/or RSVP for the event! 

Block 4 Week 2

E-Waste Drop-Off Event

Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 2-3 p.m.
Breton Hall Garage #8

Do you have College-owned electronics (e-waste) stored in your office, closet, or other spaces? If so, please bring these items to the upcoming e-waste drop-off event for safe and proper disposal.

Help us spread the word to students you know! Students can design a grassroots summer project—anywhere in the world—to promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. This application is the final step for a summer 2026 project. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 1 at midnight. More information can be found here.

Connect to a community partner to co-create community-engaged classroom projects for a summer 2026 course through the PEAK Project. Submit an Educator Interest Form by the end of Half Block (preferred deadline: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026) or the end of Block 5 (final deadline: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026). 

Students can now take live, online, and on-demand test prep for free through Kaplan for graduate school admissions exams: GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT, & LSAT. For more information and the link to register for classes, please visit this website.

Bring your own mug to Susie B’s or Colorado Coffee on the fourth Monday to get any 16 oz. coffee or tea drink for only $4 until 11 a.m.! Mugs must be clean to participate in this offer.

Student Information

We encourage you to review the student newsletter and pass along opportunities that align with students’ interests and goals.

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

Winter Commencement, set for Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m., is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate students completing their undergraduate studies prior to our May Commencement ceremony. 

This year’s ceremony will be held in Shove Memorial Chapel, featuring the Commencement Address by Neena Grover, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and remarks from President Manya Whitaker.

Students, faculty, and staff are warmly invited to attend in celebration of our winter graduates. No RSVP is required. Unable to attend in person? The ceremony will also be livestreamed, and the recording will be published at www.coloradocollege.edu/wintercommencement. 

Graduating students will receive logistical information in the coming days—including the link to RSVP (deadline of Friday, Dec. 5), an invitation to share highlights to be included in President Whitaker’s remarks, regalia pickup and rehearsal times, and more. 

Faculty members who wish to march in the ceremony must sign up no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11. Regalia should be ordered from the CC Bookstore by Nov. 21 and can be picked up at the bookstore Dec. 11-12 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

If you have questions, visit the Winter Commencement website or contact Brenda Soto at bsoto@coloradocollege.edu. 

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

The Crown Center’s Block 3 workshop, “Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Teaching,” has me reflecting on how interdisciplinarity has shaped my time at CC—first as a student, now as an employee. Early on, I realized that courses outside my art history major, psychology, music, history, feminist and gender studies, and sociology each offered new ways to understand how people create and interpret art.

Since returning to CC, I’ve been fortunate to support this kind of cross-disciplinary exploration in every role I’ve held. For example, in Block 3, I worked with NEH Innovator in Residence Ben Gould to connect his work in the FAC exhibition Open Hearted to classes in History, Sociology, Art, and Dance. Linking ideas across disciplines still feels thrilling—a reminder that we’re all engaged in exploring what it means to live and learn together, even as blending distinct methods while maintaining rigor is no small task.

In the workshop, three faculty teams shared the rewards and challenges of co-teaching their interdisciplinary courses: Art of Insurgency (John Gould and Shawn Womack), Strange Fractals: Empowerment through Fractal Geometry (Cory Scott and Jameel Paulin), and Embodied Politics (Elizabeth Coggins and Patrizia Hermijard). Their presentations offered concrete tips and raised thoughtful questions about how to help students connect disciplines, balance skill-building, and use experiences—such as field trips, FAC visits, or creative exercises—to synthesize learning.

If you missed the session, a video and transcript are available on Crown’s Canvas page. Please email if you don’t already have access to this resource. And if you are planning (or even dreaming about) a collaborative, interdisciplinary course, let us know how Crown can support you. 

Sincerely, 

Jessica Hunter, Associate Director 

Monday, December 1, noon-3 p.m. MT, Virtual Event: IBILTA25 Conference Snapshot: Transforming Education

Curious about what other institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the US are doing with block teaching formats? The International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (IBILTA) is hosting a presentation of selected talks from their international conference this past summer. The free online event includes a keynote from John Weldon, Associate Professor in the First Year College at Victoria University. Register for this event.

December 10, 1-2:30 p.m. Connect with the FAC in AY26-27

Join us to learn more about how the FAC’s Museum, Theatre Company, and Bemis School of Art can support your classes next year. Please register here.

Friday, Jan 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–noon Creativity & Innovation Workshop: “Possibility Books for New Users” by Kris Stanec.

Possibility Books is a brief daily pedagogy for classes across disciplines that can be adapted to align with any course. Faculty using Possibility Books will receive all the materials needed from C&I. Workshop information and registration.

This event addresses the influence of artificial intelligence on the environment, human labor, and marginalized communities from a global perspective.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m., Humans in the Loop Film Screening and Panel Discussion, Cornerstone Screening Room

Thursday, Nov. 20, 9:30 a.m., Virtual Q&A and Reception with Filmmaker Aranya Sahay, Cornerstone Screening Room

Visit “Humans of AI” for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, noon–1:30 p.m., Collaborative for Community Education  Tutt Library Data Viz Wall 

Meet with local community non-profits for long-term engagement opportunities. Open to faculty, staff, and students. Visit Community Partner Fair for more information.

In Spring semester 2026, Health and Wellness, Arts and Crafts at CC, C&I, and the NEH Professorship are collaborating with the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab (CORAL) to run a study on how arts experiences create community and combat the effects of stress. All faculty and staff are invited to participate. No prior arts experience is necessary.  Participants may choose one of three modalities:  

For more information about the programs: CORAL, Arts and Crafts. Look for more details and registration links in the coming weeks.

Students can design a grassroots summer project—anywhere in the world—to promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. This application is the final step for a Summer 2026 project. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 1, at midnight. More information here.

Connect to a community partner to co-create community-engaged classroom projects for a summer 2026 course through the PEAK Project. Submit an Educator Interest Form to apply.

Students can now take live, online, and on-demand test prep for free through Kaplan for graduate school admissions exams: GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT, & LSAT. Information and registration here.

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

Our beloved Sister, Friend, Colleague, and Mentor.

Dr. McKay dedicated her life to truth-telling, justice, and liberation. She was a fierce advocate for Indigenous peoples, a fearless scholar-activist, and a radiant force for social change and antiracism. Her voice challenged inequity, and her compassion built community. We invite everyone to carry her spirit forward in your actions, your advocacy, and your storytelling. Share the ways she touched your life and continue her legacy of courage, connection and solidarity. The Campus Community is invited to gather for a live viewing of the memorial service.

To learn more about Dr. McKay’s life, legacy, and ways to honor her memory, visit the full tribute page.

The Institutional Equity & Belonging team wishes everyone a safe and peaceful close to the fall semester. While campus notably slows during Block 4, the world beyond remains active. This newsletter is a space to share resources, protocols, and policies related to national events -such as past executive orders, the impact of the government shutdown, increased immigration enforcement, and ongoing changes affecting international students and scholars. Below are resources related to these topics, along with new updates in the body of this letter.

 Protecting Your Privacy Email

 Colorado Immigration Attorneys (there are more in the folder)

 Guidance on Federal Changes Regarding Gender Identity

Travel Guidance

CC Sponsored Trips Policy

 Know Your Rights Information

Past Belonging Newsletters

For many, this is a difficult time. Please keep in mind that the Counseling Center remains available to students for routine and immediate appointments. Additionally, 24/7 employee mental health crisis support, and ongoing therapy is available to all through UWill which includes wellness resources and even nutritional guidance. Finally, the national Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988. 

We continue to migrate these resources to our Institutional Equity & Belonging webpage for easier access, but for the time being, you can find these resources and more in the Resources channel folders of the Belonging@CC MS Team.  I hope you can find pockets of rest, connection, and clarity amidst the turbulence. IEB remains here to support you and help you navigate whatever comes next. May the coming weeks bring you steadier ground and the companionship of a community that looks out for one another.

In Solidarity,

Rosalie

The U.S. government shutdown has ended, however many in our community are experiencing continued impacts including job losses, reduced family income, and disruptions to essential benefits. Although Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments have resumed, food pantries have depleted many of their resources. During this time, it is important to remain mindful of how these challenges may affect our students and colleagues and to share available resources widely. If you are able, consider donating to one of our many community partners who provide these essential resources. Anyone can use this inexhaustive list of community food resources for locations that provide assistance or that could use your help.

Students can also access the CC Pantry Exchange in person or ask for emergency assistance by emailing emergencyresources@coloradocollege.edu” id=”menur9bo” rel=”noreferrer noopener” style=”text-decoration: underline; color: #4764ae;” target=”_blank” title=”mailto:emergencyresources@coloradocollege.edu“> emergencyresources@coloradocollege.edu. CCSGA offers the Pass-A-Meal program, where students with meal plans can donate a meal at Rastall check-in, and students needing a meal can request a Pass-A-Meal voucher at the Worner Desk.

The International People and Practices subcommittee continues to stay abreast of changes in the international landscape. Last week, The Supreme Court voted to allow President Trump to proceed with his plan to require that passport applicants list their sex as what was designated on their birth certificate. The court’s decision overturns a lower court order pausing Trump’s policy and allowing applicants to choose for themselves whether they would like to identify with an M for male, F for female, or an X for neither. You can read more about the case at NPR.org and refer to CC’s previous guidance on this topic.   

We remind all members of our community to know your rights while traveling within the U.S. and abroad. This guidance from the National Immigration Law Center is a useful tool, and you can find the recommended Know Your Rights Cards in the IEB office in Worner, room 234.  

 If you are in the process of applying for a passport it is essential that you check the State Department for current regulations and reach out to the Center for Global Education and Field Study for questions on CC-related travel.

UCHealth Interpreter and Language Services

Did you know that you can request to have your doctor’s appointment be conducted in your first language for free? You can request a free interpreter for your doctor’s appointment in your preferred language, including ASL. UCHealth offers qualified medical interpreters via video or phone 24/7 for patients and family members with limited English proficiency, or who are deaf. It’s best to request an interpreter when scheduling, but walk-ins can also be accommodated.

UCHealth Interpreter and Language Services can help you translate informed consent documents into the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Burmese, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese traditional and simplified, Chuukese, Farsi/Persian, French, German, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Ibo, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Korean, Kru/Bassa, Marshallese, Nepali, Oromo/Cushite, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Rohingya, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Yiddish.

For questions or concerns about linguistic access on campus, please contact Dr. Chelsea Walter, Ph.D., Director, Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education.

The Indigenous Garden in partnership with The Chaplain’s Office, NASU, and Debbie Howell, our Elder-in-Residence, to grow sage and sweetgrass. We are grateful for this tract of land that honors tradition and connection. Thank you to those of you who joined us in Block 3 to tend the garden. and to Grounds for lending gardening tools. We hope you will join us for a future gardening opportunity.

A group photo taken commemorating collective efforts in maintaining the Indigenous Garden (2023).

Participants gather following a garden care session  in the Indigenous Garden adjacent to Shove Chapel (2025).

The Rag is Back.

From our friends in Feminist and Gender Studies: “‘The Rag, CC’s student-run feminist and counter-cultural zine, is officially back and ready for submissions for our first edition! Although the submission deadline for the first issue just passed, please consider submitting for future issues.” They are looking for “honest, messy, radical, reflective, and creative work from students, staff, and faculty across campus. This is a space to explore feminist ideas, critical thought, personal experience, politics, and art, all outside of traditional academic constraints.” Find out more.

Destination Rest

Thank you to those you joined us for Destination Rest during our Block 2 Block Break. Facilitators Ashley Cornelius, Sam Paulin, and Mallory Everhart created an environment in the FAC’s Loo Family Gallery, where we shared and connected over our relationship to rest in a productivity-centric world.

Legal Defense Fund

TMI offers a competitive, paid summer fellowship ($6,000) for undergraduate students from CC, Columbia, Harvard, and Howard to engage in social justice research with the nation’s leading civil and human rights legal advocacy organization. Fellows will support LDF’s racial justice mission through interdisciplinary social science research and should be creative, forward-thinking problem solvers with an interest in civil rights litigation and policy. Placements are available in NYC, Atlanta, or Washington, D.C., and while not guaranteed, this is an exclusive and notable opportunity for CC students. Applications should be emailed to interns@naacpldf.org, and interested students should contact Sarah Fillman before applying. A virtual info session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2-3 p.m. MT.

Need something to read over the Fall and Winter Breaks? Noor, our Spring semester selection has arrived at the bookstore. Pick up your copy and look out for Antiracist Book Club MS Team next semester! Noor is a science fiction novel set in near future Nigeria. Through characters, time, and setting, Okorafor creates a world in which biotechnology, disability, gender, and capitalism converge and allows the reader to reflect on humanity and our collective future. Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning New York Times Bestselling writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. If you have proposals or ideas for programming, connect with nrios@coloradocollege.edu.

Sense of Place: Indigenous Star Stories with Elder Debbie

Friday, Dec. 5–Saturday Dec. 6, Baca Campus, Crestone, CO

Join us to enrich your relationship with the night sky, to one another, and to deepen your knowledge of Native astronomy. Led by Elder Debbie Howell, we will learn about Skidi Pawnee star stories and the human connection to the stars.

Festival of Lights

Saturday, Dec. 6

We will be gathering as a campus community to attend Colorado Spring’s 41st Annual Festival of Lights Parade. Keep an eye on more details which are forthcoming.

Smudging Ceremony

Thursday, Nov. 20, at 12:15 p.m.

Join us by the tipi by the main entrance of Tutt Library for a smudging ceremony led by Lee Plenty Wolf of the Oglala Lakota Nation.

IEB 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.

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