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Jessi Burns

she/her/hers

Fine Arts Center Marketing & Communications Strategist
(719) 389-6624
jburns@coloradocollege.edu

 

Jessi is a CC alum and graduated in 2006 with a degree in anthropology, focusing on archaeology. After some time working in the field, she decided she wanted to pursue something where she could use her creative skills. That led her to obtaining an M.S. in communications from Pepperdine University where she studied mass media, rhetoric, and social change. 

Since then, Jessi has spent her career managing marketing and communications for nonprofits, including an open space organization, a library district, and an animal shelter. Most recently, she spent time living and working in the Colorado mountains in the tiny town of Tabernash, just outside of Winter Park.

Jessi is incredibly excited to work for the Fine Arts Center, which combines her professional skills in communications with her personal love of art, theatre, and museums. In her spare time, you’ll find her exploring new hiking trails, playing with her dogs, or traveling to remote places in the world with her husband.

If Jessi could teach a block, she would teach: Sustainability at Home: how to convert your lawn to a water-wise landscape

 

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Megan Clancy

she/her/hers

Senior Writer & Editor
(719) 389-6210
mclancy2023@coloradocollege.edu

 

Megan is a CC alum and graduated in 2007 with a degree in creative writing. During her four years at CC, she was a member of the women’s basketball team, writer and editor for The Catalyst, and a PIFP Fellow working with CASA Colorado Springs. After graduating, Megan earned her master’s from the University of Melbourne, coached high school basketball in Australia, and taught English in Nepal before moving back to the States to teach middle school and high school English.

Since leaving the classroom, Megan has worked as an independent book coach, helping her clients plan, write, and edit their books while also guiding them in developing their author brand and marketing their work to agents and publishers. Her first novel was published in 2018.

As CC’s Senior Writer & Editor, she works to hone the voice of college communications and design strategy around the stories we tell and how we market ourselves to our multiple audiences. She led the creation and development of The Peak and loves building relationships across campus and in all departments to strengthen the college’s voice and brand.

Outside of work, Megan loves spending time with her two children, writing non-college related stories, playing basketball, cooking & entertaining, and spending time outside hiking, camping, paddleboarding, skiing, and exploring.

If Megan could teach a block, she would teach: Find Your Story and Voice Through Travel (a two-block abroad creative writing course)

 

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Jamie Cotten

she/her/hers

Photographer/Photo Editor
(719) 389-6212
jcotten2024@coloradocollege.edu

 

Jamie is an award-winning photojournalist with nearly two decades of freelance work appearing in The New York Times, The Washington Post, ESPN, San Francisco Chronicle, The Boston Globe, The Telegraph and in media outlets via Polaris Images.

Jamie studied fine art photography at the School of Visual Arts in NYC before returning to her native Colorado where she graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and international business. Twice the Society of Professional Journalists awarded her first place in feature photography - once for her photo story on Burmese refugees in Colorado struggling to navigate the complicated U.S. legal system, and once for her story on an inspirational boxing coach. Her ultimate goal as a journalist is to help people relate to one another.

Now at CC, Jamie is excited about contributing to the college’s storytelling. She loves the history CC has to offer and the great variety of visual opportunities. From academics to athletics, events, music, and the FAC, it’s truly a photographer’s playground. She especially loves attending music and sporting events on campus.

In her off time, Jamie runs, swims, plays classical piano, and enjoys national and international adventures with her son.

If Jamie could teach a block, she would teach: Law and Ethics in Journalism

 

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Owen Craft

he/him/his

Graphic Designer

(719) 389-6355
ocraft@coloradocollege.edu

 

A Washington native who grew up loving video broadcast classes and creating short films with his friends, Owen transitioned to studying graphic design in college, graduating with his bachelor's in 2018.

As one of the department’s graphic designers, Owen works on projects for multiple departments across campus, helping shape CC’s visual brand. He loves getting to work somewhere that is so close to the downtown Colorado Springs community and appreciates how easy it is to take walks, grab a bite, and attend events downtown after work.

Outside of work, Owen is an avid hiker, camper, road tripper, and traveler. He feels most excited when he’s on his way to see a new place.

If Owen could teach a block, he would teach: The Art of the Budget: managing expenses, planning for future big purchases, and saving an emergency fund

 

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Noel Dolan

she/her/hers

Creative Director
(719) 389-7120
ndolan@coloradocollege.edu

 

Noel is a graduate of Colorado State University and The Art Institute of Colorado. She has 20 years of industry experience working in-house for non-profits and higher education, freelancing, and teaching an advanced typography class at Pikes Peak State College.

Noel was awarded the prestigious American Advertising Federation (AAF) Silver Medal in 2020 for her contributions to design, advertising, and the Colorado Springs creative community. Additionally, she was named the AAF Colorado Designer of the Year and has accumulated nearly 40 professional awards at local, regional, and national levels.

Now at CC, Noel loves updating the visual elements of the college’s style and incorporating them into our materials with a fresh and playful look. While on campus, she enjoys lunch at Rastall with her amazing team members and the blockly arts and crafts sessions.

Outside of work, Noel loves traveling the world (33 countries and counting!), building LEGO, devouring books and documentaries about serial killers, spending time with her fur babies Todd and Margo, and cooking. 

If Noel could teach a block, she would teach: Typography (in collaboration with The Press at CC)

Fun fact: Noel can engage in complete conversations using nothing but quotes from Friends and The Office.

 

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Julia Fennell

she/her/hers

Writer & Editor
jfennell@coloradocollege.edu

 

Julia graduated from CC in 2021 as a Political Science major and Journalism minor. She worked as an intern journalist and reporter for Colorado Newsline for nine months, earning two “Excellence in Journalism” awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for her stories, before returning to CC. In her work as a writer for Communications and Marketing, Julia loves getting to highlight the incredible students, staff, and faculty of the college.

Julia is an elite competitive figure skater and travels between Colorado Springs and Chicago to train. She loves being able to skate at CC’s state-of-the-art ice rink. (Shout out to the wonderful Ed Robson Arena staff for their dedication and hard work ensuring the best ice in town!)

If Julia could teach a block, she would teach: Encountering Global Dance (The perfect course to share her political science background paired with her passion for movement.)

 

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Julia Fuller

she/they

Video Producer
(719) 389-6602
jfuller@coloradocollege.edu

 

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Alexa Gromko

she/her/hers

Director of External Relations & Editorial Content
(719) 389-6038
agromko@coloradocollege.edu

 

A lifelong Colorado resident, Alexa is thrilled to lead institutional public relations, editorial content, and media relations for CC. Her priority is to elevate the local, regional, and national profile of the college through storytelling and executing meaningful PR campaigns, as well as to position college faculty and leadership as thought leaders in higher education.

Alexa received her BA in International Relations and Russian with a focus in Media at Mount Holyoke College, the oldest women’s college in the U.S. She comes to CC following a lengthy role as adjunct faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, a world class executive leadership training facility, where she facilitated media training, research, and communication strategy.

Prior to that, Alexa had an Emmy Award-winning broadcast news career spanning over a dozen years with news anchor and reporter positions in Colorado Springs; Denver; Portland, Oregon; and Lexington, Kentucky. She earned three prestigious Emmy Awards for excellence in reporting and anchoring the news, along with seven Emmy nominations. 

Alexa’s PR experience includes a spokesperson role for AAA Colorado in Denver as well as media relations and marketing for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, and the Colorado State Fair. She also has extensive writing experience and was editor of a monthly magazine for Best Version Media.

In her free time, you’ll find Alexa with her family enjoying the outdoors kayaking, skiing, mountain-biking, and hiking Colorado’s magnificent Rocky Mountains.

If Alexa could teach a block, she would teach: Capturing the Media’s Interest with Your Story: What makes a story newsworthy and how to handle the hot-seat questions from the press

 

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Caryn Lawler

she/her/hers

Director of Executive Communications
cmaconi@coloradocollege.edu

 

Before coming to CC, Caryn worked in the Olympic and Paralympic movement as a manager of media and public relations for USA Triathlon and a development writer for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

She was CC’s Director of Advancement Communications for two years prior to moving into her executive communications role.

It’s a challenging and exciting time in our history for college presidents. Caryn enjoys helping CC leadership shape their message so they can connect meaningfully with students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents, media, and the higher ed community. Her favorite non-work activity on campus is listening to students and faculty members present their research.

Outside of work, Caryn is an avid distance runner, cyclist, skier, and backpacker. You can usually find her on the hundreds of miles of trails in Colorado Springs or in the mountains! 

If Caryn could teach a block, she would teach: How to Win Hearts, Build Visibility, and Raise Money Through Storytelling 

Fun fact: While she no longer works in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, she’s still a superfan and contributes the occasional story to Triathlete magazine. She also loves talking to people about the Paralympics, adaptive sports, and disability advocacy.

 

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Mark Lee

he/him/his

Director of Web UX & Digital Strategy
(719) 389-6030
mlee@coloradocollege.edu

 

Mark provides strategic leadership and hands-on management for the college’s web presence and digital communications channels, with a strong focus on user experience (UX), front-end web development, and digital strategy. He has both led and helped to implement numerous award-winning digital experiences during his time at the CC.

Mark has a B.A. in psychology, a Graduate Certificate in computer information systems, and an M.Ed. in instructional technology. He is a lifelong learner and continues to take a variety of professional development and continuing education classes whenever possible, including from CC, Parsons School of Design, HarvardX/EdX, and Berklee College of Music.

Involvement in the community is important to Mark, and he has volunteered with and served on several nonprofit boards in the Pikes Peak region including most recently as board president of the Manitou Art Center. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Pikes Peak Signature Program and the Manitou Springs Citizens Academy.

In his spare time, he enjoys building and experimenting with emerging technologies, honing his photography skills, and making music with friends.

If Mark could teach a block, he would teach: The Art of Being Human in a Digital Age (Exploring how emerging technologies can help to cultivate creativity, empathy, and emotional intelligence, with an emphasis on maintaining a healthy balance between the digital and physical worlds)

 

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Miriam Roth

she/her/hers

Internal Communications Manager
(719) 389-6053
mroth@coloradocollege.edu

 

Miriam came to CC following a long career in positions involving creativity, relationship-building, and staff organization. Originally from California, she spent 15 years in New York City, where she studied Theatre Arts and Music. In addition to performing in NYC, Miriam had a successful career in sales and marketing for both the fashion industry and international mail.

In her role as Internal Communications Manager, Miriam works with members of staff and faculty, in all departments, to communicate with the campus community. She loves building relationships and teaching people how to communicate to their audiences.

In addition to her work on campus, Miriam teaches singing in her private studio as well as performing around town. She continues to hone her craft through study in Neuroscience of Singing, a course with San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Outside of work, she loves performing, hiking, playing with her animals, and spending time with good friends.

If Miriam could teach a block, she would teach: Storytelling Through Singing

 

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Karen To

she/her/hers

Director of Web Operations & Digital Integration
(719) 389-6144
kto@coloradocollege.edu

 

Karen joined CC eagerly in 2005, after a long and illustrious career in Corporate America. With a degree in linguistics and no direct path to a profession, she started her career sending form letters to AARP members. Thanks to a knack with computers and software, she promptly began a steady migration to technology. She has been a programmer, system administrator, software support specialist, and content manager.

In her role with CC Communications, Karen provides leadership, strategy, and hands-on management of the web and other digital communications channels for the college.

Favorite non-work thing to do at CC: Arts and Crafts for Wellness

 

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Naomi Rene Trujillo

she/her/hers

Senior Project Manager
(719) 389-6774
ntrujillo@coloradocollege.edu

 

Naomi received a BFA with honors from the Art Center College of Design. She has a master’s in art therapy from Vermont College and spent five years as an art therapist at Pikes Peak Mental Health working with those who have chronic mental illness.

In her role as senior project manager, Naomi leads the office’s work in being a strategic partner for other departments and stakeholders at CC. She works with campus partners to achieve their institutional goals and bring their communications projects to successful outcomes. She enjoys developing relationships, supporting collaborations, gathering necessary resources, and removing potential boulders that might disrupt any of these.

Naomi has been at CC for 18 years and is a proud CC Parent ’20. She has completed coursework towards a master’s in project management at CSUGlobal, earned the Advanced Certificate in Strategic Management of Digital Assets & Services from San Jose State University, and completed her certification in Change Leadership from IDEO.

If Naomi could teach a block, she would teach: The Meditative Practice of Project Management

 

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Sarah Waddell

she/her/hers

Fine Arts Center Communications Specialist
(719) 389-7667
swaddell2023@coloradocollege.edu

 

Sarah has had a camera in her hands for nearly her entire career. After film school, she wound up in a newsroom and worked her way up from studio cam operator to the assignment desk. She was a photojournalist for nearly five years. After moving to Colorado, she pivoted towards communications, spending two years in the nonprofit world before coming to the Fine Arts Center at CC. 

Sarah now puts her photo skills to use creating content for the FAC. Between the theatre, museum, and art school, she feels like there are always good stories to share with the community. She also loves having the opportunity to take art classes at Bemis School of Art.

Outside of work, Sarah likes hanging out with her pack of dogs, hiking, camping, and wildlife photography.

If Sarah could teach a block, she would teach: Storytelling Through Photography / Photojournalism

 

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Serena Wolford

Graphic Designer
(719) 389-6793
swolford@coloradocollege.edu

 

Serena served as the in-house Graphic Designer for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center from 1999 until the FAC became part of CC in 2017. Since then, she has served as Graphic Designer for the college, working on various jobs withing the Marketing & Communication Department. She loves creating beauty wherever she can and helping others accomplish their goals. 

Serena likes walking around campus and being inspired by the demonstration gardens on Mesa. Outside of work, she likes to landscape her yard and tend to her garden.

Fun fact: Serena is a Colorado Springs native and a CC Parent ’27.

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