I have worked at Pikes Peak for over 14 years, and I love it! I started out as a Test Proctor, then an Advisor, and then a few other positions before becoming Director of Advising & Testing in May of 2022. I truly believe that education can change people's lives and I love that I can help people along that path through my job!

Education: I have a bachelors degree in Art History and Construction Management, and a Master's degree in Teaching and Learning, and Project Management.

Skills: Thrifting the best outfit, 95% | Making pizza, 68% | Walking across the room without tripping, dropping, or spilling something, absolutely 0% chance

Why do you enjoy working with students? I love hearing about our students' dreams and hopes for their future. It is incredible that you trust us to help you along that path!

I was born and raised in Juárez, México. I moved to the U.S. at the end of the 90's when IT professionals from all over the world were recruited by U.S. Industries in preparation for the Y2K expected havoc. I have over 10 years of experience in the IT field (HP Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies), and over 10 years of experience in the Education field (D20, D11, PPSC). In my spare time, I enjoy reading, swimming, knitting/crocheting, cooking/baking, and trivia games.

Hometown: Juárez, Chihuahua, México

Skills: Spanish, 100% | Cooking, 90% | Baking 50% | 80's music, 7%

Why do you enjoy working with students? I relate to their journeys. As an immigrant, as an adult student, as a parent, as a worker... For me, being able to empower students to achieve their educational goals is the best way I can support my community. Education is the key to open doors in any social, economic, and cultural environment. Education is something nobody can take away from you.

I am a dedicated coordinator at Pikes Peak State College, where I have spent nearly fifteen years helping students succeed. As a proud graduate of Pikes Peak State College, my passion for education and student success is deeply rooted in my own academic journey.

Skills: Cheering on our students to success, 100% | Spending time with family and friends, 75% | Traveling, 25%

Top Conversation Starters: Love of travel, raising chickens, planners and journals

Why do you enjoy working with students? My mission is simple: to support students wherever they are, ensuring they have the information and guidance they need to stay on track and achieve their educational goals. Whether I'm helping students maintain "Good Standing" or providing one-on-one coaching, I am always walking alongside my students to cheer them on toward success.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I adore water and everything green. I graduated from PPSC in 2013 and then returned in 2015 to work part-time in the Zoo Keeping program. After a few different positions, I landed in Advising & Testing in January of 2020 and have loved it ever since. I enjoy seeing the work we do with students from brand new to smiling graduates. It makes it all worth it!

Hometown: Boring, OR

Skills:  Having a meme for any occasion, 100% | Being a morning person, 1%

Why do you like working with students? I am a problem solver. I really enjoy helping students figure out their next steps and ease their anxiety. Seeing their confidence and ambition to move forward from their first day of class until they walk across the graduation stage is always a special feeling.

My name is Christopher, and I am born and raised in Colorado Springs. I graduated from Sierra High School in 2004. After graduating high school, I played two years of college basketball in Nebraska. Shortly after I joined the United States Air Force as a Cyber Defensive Operator. I have served for 18 years now. Continuously pursuing education has changed my life for the better, and I love helping others achieve their educational goals.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Software Engineering & Database Technologies, Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics

Skills: Playing basketball, 100% | Writing JAVA code, 60% | Not hitting the snooze button when my alarm goes off, 0% 

Why do you enjoy working with students? I have a strong passion for education, and I love seeing people achieve their goals.

Hi! My name is Dakota, I am a program advisor for the BTPS Division. I received my BA in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Nebraska Wesleyan University. I will be attending the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in their part-time law program next Fall. I have been a high school English teacher for Teach for America in Pueblo, CO, and I have spent considerable time teaching and coaching competitive speech and debate all across the United States and Canada. I love working with education and helping student achieve their goals. Outside of work and school, my wife and I love hiking, off-roading, and camping.

Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Education: B.A. Political Science and Criminal Justice from Nebraska Wesleyan University

Skills:
Retaining useless information and knowledge - 100%
Remembering to grab things before getting into my car - 65%
Procrastinating - I'll get back to you!

I bring a diverse background in wirting and education to PPSC. Having worked as a newspaper editor, writing tutor, and instructor of record, I developed a passion for helping students grow as writers, communicators, and academics, regardless of their academic path.

Academically, I am especially drawn to the intersections of rhetoric, science and technology studies, and environmental communication. With research experience that spans from microbiology, to atmospheric science, to archival feminist work, I believe that the most important thing in guiding students toward success is cultivating their unique curiosities!

Outside of academics, I enjoy baking a wide-range of different treats, learning about whatever random topic I'm currently interested in, and re-watching "The Good Place" for the 15th time.

Education: Bachelor's degree in English Writing from Colorado Mesa University and a Master's in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change from Colorado State University. 

Skills: Finishing books before starting a new one, 20% | Feeding my sourdough starter on time, 40% | Rewatching the same TV shows, 100%

Top Conversation Starters: English/rhetoric, theory, STS, philosophy. I also really love talking about cooking and baking; I love to trade tips about different recipes and to dive into food sciences with people who love to cook/bake too! 

I grew up in St. Louis MO and moved to Manitou Springs in order to finish my degree at UCCS. After graduating I worked in Radio for several years and worked for a small electronics company while raising my 4 children. After my children were grown I went back to school to get my teaching credentials. I taught middle school and high school math for 12 years and loved teaching. I have recently joined Advising and Testing as a part-time advisor and I look forward to supporting PPSC students. In my time off I enjoy yoga, hiking, gardening, reading and spending time with my family and friends.

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Skills: Entertaining myself, 100% | Putting my toys away, 15% 

Top Conversation Starters: I am always interested in finding new places to hike and learning more about gardening and environmentally sustainable solutions to everyday issues. I am a dog person and animal lover and enjoy hearing people talk about their pets.

 

I just moved to Colorado from Texas and am so excited to be a member of the Pikes Peak Advising Team! I am married with four children and two dogs. I taught Kindergarten and Third Grade and loved every minute of it! I have lived in Australia and Sweden and look forward to more travel in my future.

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Education: I graduated from Texas Womans University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and taught school in Texas for ten years. I am also a certified Paralegal and worked in the legal field before working in Higher Education. My last position was Academic Advisor for the University of North Texas in the College of Engineering.

Top Conversation Starters: Music, Animals, Traveling, K-Pop, and can quote way too many lines from the movie Mean Girls

I have lived in Fountain, Colorado my whole life and have found a home at PPSC. I am a first generation student, and I started my college experience at the Community College of Denver. I started out going to school to pursue Elementary Education, at the very last minute I changed my major to Human Services. I believe it has helped me find what I am passionate about, which is helping people in a Higher Education setting, along with helping people within the community.

Education: BA in Human Services from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Currently Pursuing my MA in Communication at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Skills: Reading at least two books a week, 100% | Talking about video games, 0%

Top Conversation Starters? Books (Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Thriller), Music (Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Dan and Shay, Russ, Bazzi, James Arthur, and Shaya Zamora), One Tree Hill, and community college being your first college experience, because it was mine as well!

I have worked in higher education off and on since 1995 or so. I've been an academic advisor, career counselor, testing coordinator, instructional liaison, student and academic services director, branch campus dean, military site director, and adjunct instructor at several colleges including Pueblo Community College and Pikes Peak. Even though I embarked upon a different full-time career path several years ago, working with our students is a great source of energy and joy for me!

Hometown: Centralia, IL (in Southern IL aka: the Kentucky part of Illinois). But have considered Colorado Springs my hometown for 28 years.

Skills: Finding a hiking trail anywhere I have to be, 95% | Setting up a campsite in the almost dark, 99% | Leaving the house in time to get to the campground before dark or to yoga class in time to not be rushing and stressed out, 5%

Top Conversation Starters: Hiking trails, places to SUP, outdoors and nature in general, local live music, yoga, interesting facts about the evolution and growth of Colorado Springs, books (all different genres), my family, adult kids, and pets.

I am from NYC originally, my husband is military and so we moved down to Colorado Springs from Alaska (I know!). I'm passionate about tech, creative projects, and being part of systems that help students succeed (like this one!). Outside of work, I'm always immersed in new hobbies (even if I don't stick with them) and love getting lost in a good sci-fi or fantasy story.

Hometown: New York, NY 

Skills: Staying ahead on homework, 50% | Sleeping, 78% | Coding, 88% 

Why do you enjoy working with students? Because I know how overwhelming college can feel. I've been there-and still am! I like being someone who understands the struggle and can help make things a little easier.

While I grew up in La Junta on pen-and-paper, most of my foundational life experiences happened elsewhere: in the great outdoors of Colorado, with my wife and family in the Pikes Peak region, doing volunteer work in the Philippines, traveling the US, and especially during my college years in Colorado Springs. Since I was a wee baby, I've been obsessed with places: the people that live there, the ecologies that create them, and the stories we tell about our sense of place. "Adult" me keeps exploring my sense of place as much as possible through environmentalism, travel, learning, food, culture, and media.

Education: I earned an AA degree from Otero College in 2019, then transferred to UCCS to earn a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies (+ Sustainability minor) in 2021.

Skills: Being capable of speech before my 7 am coffee, 0% | Remembering to wear sunscreen on a hike, 10% | Writing weird poetry, 80% | Helping people get excited about their educational plans, 100% | Leaving LEGO projects half-built on my kitchen table, 100%

Why do you enjoy working with students? I had the chance to be a student support work-study during college, which sparked the love for collaborative problem-solving that I get to keep doing professionally today. It's deeply rewarding to help someone else find a solution they didn't think of before. You don't know what you don't know, and I'm here to help you step towards knowing more.

My name is Katie (she/her)! I grew up here in Colorado Springs and went to school at CU Boulder, UCCS, and here at Pikes Peak! I care deeply about student support and love to be involved in our community. In my free time, I love to spend time with my two dogs, climbing, reading, making art, and trying new foods!

Education: Bachelor's of Arts in Enviromental Studies and Geography with an emphasis in Geospatial Information Sciences

Skills: Relating any situation back to a SpongeBob episode, 95% | Eating leftovers, 10%

Top Conversation Starters: Your pets and my pets, book recommendations, what classes are you taking and what are your goals? And anything nature-related!

I moved to Colorado Springs three years ago when my husband and I, as new empty nesters, were seeking a new adventure and daily mountain views! My professional journey has also taken me on great adventures over the past 25+ years, from being a classroom and special education teacher to an instructional coach and leading educational programs. In every role, I prioritize building and strengthening relationships to help students, families, and educators feel supported and empowered to reach their personal and collective goals.

Education: I have a Bachelors in Geography from Texas A&M University and my Masters in Education Administration from Lamar University.

Skills: Remembering dates 95% | Planning next trip 50% | Watching scary movies 0%

Why do you enjoy working with students? I learn something every day from my students—they teach me just as much as I teach them! I enjoy making meaningful connections with students to help set goals and celebrate their achievements. These connections also help when we need to work through challenges that arise.

My name is Laura Quinn. I have lived in Colorado Springs for over 25 yrs but I'm originally from NYC. I love the mountains but I'm truly a beach girl at heart! I received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. In addition, I received a MS in Counselor Education. I enjoy spending time with my kids and dog, watching all movie genres, and traveling. 

Hometown: Queens, NY

Skills: Assisting students in making sure they are in the correct program, 95% | Finding solutions that work for the student, 85% | Spending time with my kids 75% | Getting to the gym regularly 50%

Top Conversation Starters: Yankees and 80s rock, metal and grunge

I started my career with TFA in Denver and Chicago. I most recently worked at a nonprofit in Chicago called MetroSquash, which hooked students in with the sport squash on the south-side of Chicago but the goal was to work with them through college graduation and beyond. I've been lucky to be able to spend the last few years at home with my 8 & 5 year old before coming to PPSC to Advise.

Education: BA Astronomy & MA Urban Leadership, Pedagogy, and Education

Skills: Having a conversation about just about any train in the world, 90% | Finishing a running plan to prep for a half marathon, 50%

Top Conversation Starters: Favorite hiking trails in the springs, what breed your dog is, favorite book you've read this year, and top Taylor album. 

I was born here in Colorado Springs. My husband and I are both the live-in staff to 3 cats. I love nature so much and spend a lot of my free time playing with plants or rocks. I also love baking and crafting and making stuff with my hands. When I'm too tired to do those things, I enjoy reading and playing video games.

Education: I got my first Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from the University of N. Colorado back in 2013. After spending some years trying to decide what to do next, the conditions were finally right and I began to pursue a second set of degrees, this time in meteorology and environmental science.

Skills: Knowing random science facts, 100% | Stubbing my toe on something, 95% | Finishing craft projects, 5%

Top Conversation Starters: Nature and the weather, cats, Sci-Fi and Fantasy (generally books, but also some movies and TV shows), crafty stuff (let's trade patterns!)

I spent 20 years in south Florida but I could never make the swamp feel like home. I am much more of a mountains and forest kind of girl - so coming here to Colorado was a no-brainer. Even the air smells better! I love reading, being in the woods, trying to make my cats love me (maybe someday), and learning everything I can about other people. If you show me your mind, you'll have my heart.

Hometown: Coral Springs, FL

Education: I had to drop out of college right after I started - at age 18 - because I had a stroke. Going back to school seemed like an utterly impossible pipe dream. So when I became a freshman at age 30, it changed the way I saw everything - especially what I could do.

Why do you enjoy working with students? I was full of self-doubt when I came back to school so much later in life. And while I still have self-doubt - I am human - going back to school and getting a bachelor's degree was one of the greatest achievements I can claim. I think it may have been the first time in my life that I felt truly proud of myself. I want other students to feel that, too. I learned about things that really matter: what's going on in the wider world, other people's perspectives, and how connected we all are. And of course, it was also a reminder that I am stronger and smarter than I ever would have believed otherwise. I want to do whatever I can to help other students discover that same inspiration - both within and without.

I have been Lead Advisor for the Health Sciences team since 2011 and am deeply grateful for my part in preparing students to enter and impact the Health Sciences career field. I am also the Liaison with the Health Sciences Division providing quality communications between the Division and the Advising and Testing Department. Using the moniker, M.R. Hyde, I am also an active artist in the community with shows at a variety of places throughout each year. I am also a member of the PPSC Nearby Universe creative writer's group and am a published author. 

Education: BA Visual Arts, MA Theology

Skills: The arts and books, 70% | Bucket list: Road Trips to National Parks, 20% | Classic books, great movies, and excellent television, 10%

Why do you enjoy working with students? Because of what higher education did for me (opened doors and windows I did not know were possible), I want to help others experience the same.