PODCAST · education
CMUnow Podcast
by Colorado Mesa University
Podcast by Colorado Mesa University
Episodes
-
July 31, 2025 Tele Town Hall
President John Marshall hosts a tele town hall for students and parents to discuss the upcoming Fall 2025 semester
-
Voice of Resilience
Join us in celebrating Black History Month at Colorado Mesa University! CMU President John Marshall interviews first-generation, African American student Liban Shongolo. From a refugee camp in Kenya to CMU student-athlete, Liban shares his journey, highlighting the power of sacrifice, resilience...
-
Keeping the Dream Alive
In this special edition of the CMUnow podcast, President Marshall welcomes Dr. Joyce Brooks. Dr. Brooks shares her inspiring journey from being born in rural Arkansas to becoming one of the first black teachers in a desegregated school. As an advocate for multicultural education, Dr. Brooks...
-
Culture of Belonging
Culture of Belonging by Colorado Mesa University
-
Unity in Diversity
Join Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and community leader Heidi Hess in a thought-provoking discussion about the progress and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Grand Junction, Colorado. Explore how community connections, acceptance...
-
A Harmonious Journey
In this episode of the CMUnow Podcast, Colorado Mesa University Instructor of Music and Director of Vocal Ensembles Dirk Johnson discusses his musical journey, starting with playing the violin in the fourth grade, his exposure to classical music and his transition to choral singing and…
more -
Building Blocks of Life
Colorado Mesa University's Dylan Jones, PhD, discusses the study of chemistry that underlies life's existence and how it impacts everything from breathing and muscle function to emotions and food needs. Jones explains how biochemistry is accessible and relevant to daily life, shares insights on...
-
Exploring the Cosmos
Catherine Whiting, PhD, discusses her passion for astronomy and the importance of studying the cosmos. She highlights the sense of awe astronomy instills, its practical applications in technological advancements and the involvement of students in her research on exoplanets. Whiting emphasizes the...
-
Witnessing Compassion
Colorado Mesa University Director of the Department of Health Sciences Lucy Graham, PhD, shares how a trip to South Africa inspired her to pursue a career in nursing after witnessing the impact of a British nurse working in a clinic. She emphasizes her passion for social justice, working with...
-
Lifelong Learner
On today's episode of the CMUnow Podcast Colorado Mesa University Instructor of Nursing Kristy Emerson shares her journey from growing up in a small town to becoming a nurse and emphasizes the importance of prevention in healthcare. Emerson incorporates her background in public health to empower...
-
Life is Not a Textbook
In this episode of the CMUnow podcast, Colorado Mesa University’s Lecturer of Business and Internship Coordinator for the Davis School of Business Kristen McGee discusses her upbringing in Grand Junction and her career journey. She emphasizes the importance of real-world examples in the classroom...
-
The Healing Power of Music
Today's podcast guest, Colorado Mesa University Instructor of Music - Cello and Music Theory Jason Pegis, PhD, shares his unique journey from growing up in a musical household and initially considering a career in the sciences, to discovering his true passion for music. Explore the intriguing...
-
The People Business
On this episode of the CMUnow Podcast, Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Business and Hospitality Management Britt Mathwich talks about his career journey from managing his family's 24-hour truck stop cafe as a 21-year-old to becoming a professor. Mathwich discusses the concept and...
-
The Evolution of Technology
Join us on this episode of the CMUnow Podcast as we sit down with Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Computer Science Karl Castleton. Castleton's non-traditional higher education journey has led him to discover his passion for technology. From joining the National Guard to pay for...
-
Reisher Scholars Program
Providing opportunities to make higher education accessible to all students. In this edition of the CMUnow Presidential Podcast, Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall sat down with three Reisher Scholar students to discuss the Reisher Scholars Program. The students shared their…
more -
Fostering Community Through Dance
Assistant Professor of Dance and Dance Program Director Kathy Diehl began her career as a professional ballet dancer at the age of 12. Although she didn't always have a passion for dance, her perspective changed when she began training at a new ballet company, where a teacher recognized her...
-
Activism Through Education
In this Special Edition podcast, Assistant Professor of Communications at the University of the Fraser Valley in Canada, Joy Enyinnaya, PhD, shares her unique approach to activism, media economics and her life experiences in Nigeria. According to Joy, the most effective way to engage in activism…
more -
Performing Arts in the Spotlight
Department Head and Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Mo LaMee developed his passion for theatre at a young age. Initially being drawn to theatre's multidimensional nature and artistic freedom as it provides an avenue for creative expression. While the Robinson Theatre has been the longstanding...
-
The Best Job in the World
"I have the best job in the world," said Educational Leadership Coordinator Mark Schmalz. Schmalz has spent the last 40 years teaching everything from K-12, to teaching abroad, to being an elementary principal, to now teaching at Colorado Mesa University. Schmalz strives to provide new…
more -
Hip Hop Gets a Bad Rap
In this Special Edition Podcast, Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall sat down with Texas Christian University's Dr. Frederick Gooding, Jr., aka Dr. G, for an open conversation about hip hop as a genre and its role in changing culture and shaping generations. Listen as Marshall and...
-
Teaching Empathy
When Blake Bickham, PhD, entered the education system to teach high school English, he quickly realized how teaching itself was a small fraction of the job. During his two-year commitment to the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan, he focused on building relationships and connecting with students in…
more -
Studying Forces of Human Nature
Nathan Perry, PhD, started earning his doctorate at 22 years old and during this time learned he had a talent for explaining complicated concepts in an non-complicated way. He's taken this skill and uses it in the classroom as well as in his regional research reports. Perry takes a non-political...
-
A Helping Hand
Dr. Victoria Warnaar didn't initially pursue Occupational Therapy but instead began her career as a social studies teacher for middle and high school students. As a teacher, she recognized that some of her students required additional tools or life skills to show up and be successful learners.…
more -
The Great Outdoors
Colorado Mesa University is proud to be a leading pioneer in bringing awareness to outdoor recreation studies. Being located in western Colorado gives CMU students incredible access to the outdoors, with some of the best climbing, hiking, mountain biking and more in the nation. Outdoor Recreation...
-
Giving Voice to the Marginalized
Tiffany Kinney, PhD, has always been a lover of English. With an interest in archival research, she is passionate about stepping away from those who have dictated historical narratives from positions of power and instead seeks to give voice to marginalized groups past and present.
-
The Journey from Music to Mass Comm
As a first-generation student who reached the pinnacle of higher education, James Perez, PhD, has done it all. From playing in a band, to working in radio, to graduating with a Master’s in Linguistics and doctorate in communication, Perez constantly challenges himself and finds ways to continue…
more -
Delving into Virtual Worlds
As a professor of mass communication, Elaine Venter, PhD, is researching and teaching about an industry that is subject to change on a daily basis. From Elon Musk buying Twitter to Web3 and building community through video games. She discusses how technology accentuates and integrates with real...
-
Inside the Mind of the American Justice System
With the recent increase of the national conversation focusing on the topic of criminal justice reform, Professor of Criminal Justice Katie Dreiling, PhD, speaks about the importance of policy change and increased funding and support.
-
People and Politics: Past and Present
Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall facilitates a conversation about people and politics, both past and present, with Katie Packer Beeson and Rich Beeson. Katie is a political consultant who has managed numerous campaigns at every level, including state legislature, Governor, U.S....
-
How to Fix the State of Mental Health in America
As people all across the country struggle with mental health, Michelle Sunkel, PhD, is training the next generation of healthcare professionals as to how to bridge the gap between the lack of resources and the absence of funding. As an expert in the field of social work and the director of the...
-
A Look Behind the Curtain
On this special edition podcast, Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and Director of Guys and Dolls Benjamin Reigel and CMU senior, Ian Rowzee, sat down to give listeners an exclusive look into their upcoming performance. Rowzee, who plays Nathan Detroit in the musical...
-
Growing into the Future
Agriculture does more for society than just making sure there’s food on the table. Western Colorado Community College’s Bryan Reed, who has worked in the organic and sustainable food industry in Colorado since 1993, explains why sustainable farming matters and how we’re taking lessons from the…
more -
Experiencing Art All Around Us
In August 1994, Colorado Mesa University Professor of Art Suzie Garner left West Texas A&M after graduate school, arrived at CMU for a one year appointment and never left. In this episode, Garner takes us on a journey from one watercolor workshop in Yellowstone National Park to an adventure all…
more -
Melting Metals
Associate Professor of Art Araan Schmidt started melting iron when he was just 8 years old. He has since spent the last decade sharing his love of transforming stubborn materials and precious metals like brass, aluminum and iron with Colorado Mesa University undergraduate students. Contemporary…
more -
Instilling a love of learning
WCCC Lecturer of Early Childhood Education Stephanie Stelljes wanted to teach ever since she was a young girl. Fast forward some 20 plus years later and Stelljes has done just that. At Western Colorado Community College (WCCC), she’s instilling a love of learning that trickles down from the next...
-
The Art of Math
Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of Mathematics Ana Berrizbeitia, PhD, teaches a subject many love to hate. Yet, Berrizbeitia sees math as a giant playground, an art form and a way to communicate complex ideas.
-
Statistics State of Mind
From aerospace engineer on the NASA Space Shuttle Landing Team to the Colorado Mesa University campus, Associate Professor of Statistics Rick Ott, PhD, has an array of experiences that have helped shaped how students learn statistics in todays ever-evolving world.
-
The Fascinating World of Tropical Ecology
Tropical Ecology has been a focal point for Thomas Walla, PhD, since his first trip to Ecuador in 1991. Since that time he has sought to bring the wonders of tropical diversity to the classroom and his research program. Walla's research includes measuring the diversity of interactions along the...
-
Inspiring Future Generations
Associate Professor of Biology Johanna Varner, PhD, is inspiring the next generation of female scientists through her love of pikas, a small, mountain-dwelling mammal, and their response to climate change. Varner’s work as a pika biologist landed her likeness in the world’s largest collection of...
-
Accounting 101
A misnomer of accounting is that you have to be good at math. Turns out, it’s more about dissecting and communicating information. In this podcast, CMU Professor of Accounting Suzanne Owens-Ott breaks down what a life of an accountant looks like, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
-
A Backpack Full of Tools
CMU Assistant Professor of Management Carlos Baldo, PhD, tells us about his life both in the private and public sector and walks us through how he’s preparing the students of today for tomorrow.
-
Changing the Lives of Students with Exceptionalities
Ann Gillies, PhD, spent 15 years in the special education field before transitioning into teacher education. Gillies is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and is now teaching the next generation of teachers who will make a difference in the lives of students with exceptionalities.
-
The Art of Teaching
As a young adult, Nick Bardo bounced around the globe teaching, from the Republic of Kiribati to China and many places in between. The United States Peace Corps showed him that no matter where in the world he was, home was in a classroom.
-
Sergeant Courtney Jones: Why policing matters
Western Colorado gets a new summer police academy! Starting May 9, the Western Colorado Law Enforcement Academy will be officially in session. The academy was created in partnership with the Montrose Police Department, Colorado Mesa University Montrose Campus and the Montrose County Sheriff’s...
-
A Good Death
Jodi Noga teaches nursing students how to care for patients and their families in life and in death. From the emergency room to hospice, after 26 years in the field, Noga has seen it all. Now, she’s passing on the knowledge that whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, a nurse can…
more -
Power of the Arts
President Marshall sat down with diversity, inclusion and equity expert Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod, theatre arts department head Mo LaMee and students Isabel and Lauren to discuss the power of the arts how they bring people together like few things do.
-
Radiologic Sciences: How it works
Originally from western Ukraine, radiologic technologist Olga Grisak has seen it all. As a program coordinator and faculty member at Colorado Mesa University, Grisak teaches her students not only the technical and patient skills needed to do the job, but also how to be the ears and eyes for the...
-
Creating Characters Through Costume Design
Costume design plays a unique role in storytelling. By switching up pieces of clothing, the audience can see a change over the course of the story: a rise or fall of fortune, a shift in personality, even how a character fits inside a world. Colorado Mesa University’s Jill Van Brussel helps tell...
-
Center Stage
Music theatre is all about telling a compelling story to create a shared experience. Colorado Mesa University’s Director of Musical Theater Jeremy Franklin explains what it is about the arts that bring us all together.
-
Running in When Others Run Out
WCCC Fire Science Program Lead Technical Instructor and Grand Junction Fire Department Battalion Chief Chris McCoy has 27 years of fire service experience and a heart for helping people. Battling fires while weighing the risk vs. reward is part of the job and one that he doesn’t take lightly. On...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Podcast by Colorado Mesa University
HOSTED BY
Colorado Mesa University
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does CMUnow Podcast have?
CMUnow Podcast currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is CMUnow Podcast about?
Podcast by Colorado Mesa University
How often does CMUnow Podcast release new episodes?
CMUnow Podcast publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to CMUnow Podcast?
You can listen to CMUnow Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts CMUnow Podcast?
CMUnow Podcast is created and hosted by Colorado Mesa University.
URL copied to clipboard!