Sunday, May 2, 2010

Higher education in tiny Telluride

Higher education in tiny Telluride

Higher education in tiny Telluride

Posted: 02 May 2010 08:18 AM PDT

In an effort to bring more options for higher education to remote San Miguel County, the University Centers of the San Miguel is teaming up with more accredited colleges to offer more learning options at closer-to-home, convenient locations.

Founded in 1995, the University Centers of the San Miguel brokers with several accredited regional colleges including Mesa State College, Colorado Northwestern Community College and Prescott College to offer public access to lower-level core academic courses which then prepare students to transfer to four-year programs, though many take courses in higher education for personal creative growth.

Nick Guidubaldi, recently named student of the year, has been taking both credited and non-credited courses under UCSM for years. "I think it's [student of the year] an acknowledgement for all the classes I've taken. The last class I took was a business class last fall. But I've taken a psychology course, and language courses," said Guidubaldi.

"It's great. I don't have to drive to Grand Junction or do classes online. All the classes I've taken through UCSM are in town with great instructors. It's a great organization in town and we're lucky to have it," said Guidubaldi.

Robyn Thiel Wilson, executive director of the University Centers of the San Miguel, said the school started as a way to offer general education as well as specialized educational opportunities locally.

"We work with Mesa State to offer more general education like English or introduction to Psychology and then we also go through NWCC to offer early childhood education courses and people can get their group leader and early childhood education certificates through it, and that's really how UCSM started," she said.

Prescott College accepts most credit hours, even if the course was taken more than 20 years ago. "Prescott focuses on the adult learner trying to complete their degree," said Wilson.

UCSM also provides a full range of academic advising and student support services and free academic and college counseling for anyone interested in starting or completing college or seeking to improve their career options.

UCSM aims to develop courses of particular benefit to the continuing education and training needs of the local Telluride workforce, like hospitality, and caters to the interests of lifelong learners, including the large contingent of part time Telluride residents, by offering many non-credited classes.

On Jan. 11 at Rebekah Hall in Telluride, College Information Night will take place, offering prospective students the opportunity to meet Mesa State College and Colorado Northwestern Community College Representatives and to discuss live and distance learning options, admissions and financial aid.

"Whether you are a current or potential student, come to mingle with other local college students and learn about your opportunities," said Wilson.

Across the county, there are only three centers like the UCSM.

"We're so remote and rural no community college would want to start a branch here. So it's a chance to coordinate higher education for the region. If we weren't here the opportunities for higher learning wouldn't be here at all," said Wilson.


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