Sarah Hinkle

Director of the Speaking Center
shinkle@coloradocollege.edu

Sarah began working for Colorado College in 2010. She has extensive experience in teaching communications and coaching students in competitive forensics. Her primary roles include directing the Speaking Center, overseeing the Competitive Communications program, and providing communication support to faculty and staff in and out of the classroom. 

Sarah completed her Bachelor of Science in Education in Theatre Arts and Communications at the University of Central Missouri and completed her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse learners at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Sarah enjoys the diverse group of students at CC and finds their enthusiasm and engaging personalities incredibly fulfilling. You can also find her rooting around in her garden in the sunshine or spending time with her two sons.

Jillian Jaeger (she/her)

Head Speech & Debate Coach/Asst. Professor
jjaeger@coloradocollege.edu
(719) 389-6509 (Office)

Jillian became the Head Speech & Debate Coach in 2023. In addition to coaching, she teaches courses on argument, refutation, and asymmetric communication. Prior to joining Competitive Communications, Jillian served as the Smart Cities Strategist for the City of Colorado Springs and an Assistant Professor of Government at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. She is experienced in coaching various styles of debate, speech events, and Model UN. Jillian has a BA in Political Science from the University of Portland, as well as a Masters and PhD in Political Science from Boston University.

When not coaching speech and debate, she keeps herself busy by writing and reading novels, running, hiking, camping, baking, and (most importantly) playing, coaching, and watching soccer.

Taylor Kelson

Mock Trial Coach

In 2013, while Taylor was a senior at Colorado College, he and Judge Regina Walter (CC ’80) started the Colorado College Mock Trial program. The team qualified for the 2014 National Championship Tournament in its first year of competition, finishing 8th in its division and among the top 20 teams in the country. Judge Walter continued to serve as head coach of the program following Taylor’s graduation from Colorado College in 2014. She retired from this position at the end of the 2021 season.

After Colorado College, Taylor attended Columbia Law School, graduating in 2019. He is very happy to be serving as the interim head coach of Colorado College Mock Trial for the 2022–2024 seasons, while the program seeks a long-term head coach. When he is not coaching mock trial, he is an associate in the Denver office of Bartlit Beck, LLP. His practice focuses on patent litigation.