Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
A Letter From Your TRiO Staff…
Your fall classes are wrapped up, grades are posted
and you have had a few days to unwind from a
semester of projects. Congratulations, you have
started to enjoy your break. Hopefully, by now you
have taken some time for yourself to enjoy a good
night of sleep and spend time with friends and family.
So how are you going to spend your break? You can
spend a few days binge watching your favorite show
or maybe you are picking up extra hours at your job
but I am going to challenge you to make some time to help reduce your stress
level for next semester. It really is true what they say, “A big part of financial
freedom is having your mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life.” Just by
taking a few small steps, you can be on your way to planning for financial peace.
We have some tools that can help you figure out how you are going to pay for
your expenses during spring semester and plan for next fall. Here are some smalls
steps that you can take that can result in big rewards:
 Finish and submit the CMU Scholarship Portal by Dec. 31st (due date)
 Learn something new about your finances by completing a chapter (or five) in
the free $ALT online program. Just contact the TRIO office for more info.
 Create a spending plan (budget) or visit your current plan and make
adjustments.
 Open up a savings count and set a savings goal for 2017.
Remember, we are here to help. Feel free to stop in and ask some questions or
bounce some ideas of us. Have a great break and challenge yourself to take some
steps to de-stress your spring semester!

On the Radar
 Semester Calendar
 Bios
 Club Feature: CDB
 Congrats, grads!
 Career Connections
 Financial Aid
Shout out to everyone that
participated in this year’s Adopt-A
-Family. TRiO partnered with the
CMU Ambassadors Connections
Committee on this project, which
benefited 28 families in the area.
Thank you for your generosity!
TRiO Adopt a Family 2016
Melissa Calhoon
Program Director
970.248.1492
The Fish Bowl is the TRiO tutoring
lounge that is available to all TRiO
participants located in
HH137 . The lounge is staffed
Monday-Friday 9-3:00pm with
Peer Coaches that can assist
participants with study and
organizational skills, as well as
tutoring in a variety of subjects.
Sneak Peek: In this Issue
Best,
Melissa Calhoon
Program Director
Contact Us!
The mission of TRiO-SSS at CMU
is to assist participants in
achieving their academic
potential, gain valuable life skills
and expand cultural horizons
through one-on-one interactions
and group activities.
Stacy Falsone
Program Advisor
970.248.1770
Rafael Orozco
Program Advisor
970.248-1322
Keep in mind that TRiO
participants are required to
participate in a minimum of
two activities per semester.
Look throughout this issue
for opportunities.
121 A&D Houston
[email protected]
Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
All CMU Offices (including TRIO) are closed from Friday December 23rd - January 2nd!
Spring Calendar

First day of classes & Fish Bowl opens— January 17th

TRiO Host/Club Meeting— Thursday, January 26, 4pm
January
Gateway
Orientation
January 25th 12-1pm or 4-5pm
February

TRiO Potluck-February 8th, 5pm

TRiO Day @ City Council– February 15th

Dave Ramsey Financial Literacy Workshop— Thursday, February
16th, 3:30pm

BANFF Film Festival — February 25th

Completing FAFSA Workshop— TBA

Grant Aid Opens! March 1st
Student Showcase

Grand Aid Closes! March 24
Entry Deadline: March 1st

Glenwood/Aspen Enrichment Trip — TBA
March
March 20-24th: Spring Break — No classes

Test Prep Workshop — TBA

$ALT— TBA
April
TRiO Year End Celebration
Student Showcase
Presentation
April 26th 6-7:30pm
April 24th
May 8-11th: Final Exams
May 14th: Commencement
Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
Welcome, new TRiO Coaches and Staff!
Kassi
Angel
Peer Academic Coach
{Pre-Nursing}
Peer Academic
Coach
{Criminal Justice}
I am a Non-Traditional Pre-Nursing
(BSN) student. I have a large
I am very excited to be
family, 8 sisters (Tiffany in TRiO), &
a part of the TRiO team! I am a Criminal Justice major
5 brothers. I am married, no kids
minoring in Addictions Counseling. I was born and raised in
yet, but I do have 5 spoiled cats.
Denver along with my two younger sisters. I love playing
My biggest supporters who have helped me to get where I
soccer, going camping, and trying new things, especially new
am today are my husband and his wonderful family. I love to
types of food.
quilt and read books.
Kaily
Peer Academic
Coach{Radiology}
I'm from Kaneohe, Hawaii.
When I'm not studying, I enjoy
hiking, snorkeling, stand up
paddle boarding, watching
movies, and spending time
with family and friends. My
favorite fruits are
clementines, bananas and
lilikois.
Chelsea
Office Support Staff
{Psychology; Criminal
Justice}
Hello! My hobbies are baking,
drawing, and playing video games,
mostly zombie games. I love to watch
horror movies or Disney movies
when I have time. I am also a big
Netflix fan so and like to binge on
new series, Z Nation is one of my favorites right now.
Student Showcase
Register on Feb 1st!
Projects due March 1st!
The 8th annual Student Showcase is a chance for students to share their work with faculty,
peers, and community members! All TRiO participants are encouraged to participate or
watch the showcase on April 28th. This is a great professional development opportunity!
Questions? Visit the weblink for FAQ’s and info on how to register.
http://www.coloradomesa.edu/showcase/faqs.html
Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
Congratulations,
December grads!
This December’s
commencement
ceremony was the
largest in the
university’s history.

Israt J., participant— B.A. Sociology

Seth R., peer coach—B.S. Computer
Science

Elizabeth H., practicum student for
Fall 2016 — B.A. Counseling
Psychology
Club Feature
Cultural Diversity Board
National Student Leadership
Diversity Convention for
Social Justice and Change
Ana O.
This Thanksgiving break, I had the amazing
opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cities
Participant/ Peer
in this country—New York. As the Assistant Director
Academic Coach,
for the Cultural Diversity Board (CDB), I represented
{Social Work}
our school along with other members of CDB in a
four-day long conference. We were joined by the
President and Vice President of Associated Student Government. The National
Student Leadership Diversity Convention for social justice and change gave us the
opportunity to learn about dynamics of diversity, including topics of systematic
oppression, discrimination, privilege and how to utilize it, building communities on
campus, restorative practice, and more. Through these sessions we were
challenged to apply critical thinking specifically on how to address social issues on
campus as student leaders. The learning this conference provided was extensive
and extremely valuable; it allowed us to develop ideas of how to ensure campus
safety for minorities and everyone on campus.
The purpose of the Cultural Diversity Board is to promote and support the ethnic
and cultural groups on campus by providing educational resources and support
services. The CDB also serves as a liaison regarding culturally diverse issues, and
it’s composed of six different alliances: Latino, Ho’olokahi Polynesian, Native
Photo courtesy: Ana O.
American, International, Black/African-American, LGBTQ/Gay-Straight Student Alliance. Each
group meets weekly or bi-weekly to plan campus events. CDB is located on the second floor of the UC in Student Life and
contact information is available on CMU’s webpage. Everyone is invited regardless of color, race, and/or ethnicity and the goal
is to promote inclusion.
Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
Career
Connections
Amanda Nicksic
Coordinator of Career
Services
I grew up in Northern Arizona
and took an untraditional path
after high school = 8 years of
service with the U.S. Navy. I was
fortunate enough to be
stationed in amazing places
(Greece & Iceland) and travel all
over the world (have been to 12 different countries). After the
Navy, I went to Chapman University and got my Master’s
Degree in Career Counseling. I’ve dabbled
Advice from the
in a lot of things, non-profit work, outdoor
Experts
recreation, culinary arts… but I love
 Be prepared.
working in higher education and with
Treat every
students who have the energy and drive to
professional you
better themselves. I like being realistic and
encounter as a
having a sense of humor about life and the
potential
curve-balls that come with it.
employer.
Lives for… softball, hiking, s’mores,
 Learn and adapt.
Trial and error
sunshine, Lake Powell, good music, witty
equals knowing
banter and exploring.
yourself.
Inspired words… “May your trails be
crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous,
leading to the most amazing view.” –Edward Abbey
Career Advice… It’s okay to not have it all figured out. We
learn and adapt. Trial and error equals knowing yourself.
Alicia Dembowski
I have strong ties to
Assistant Coordinator of Colorado Mesa University. I
graduated from CMU with a
Career Services
Bachelor of Arts in
Counseling Psychology, and after serving several years in the
non-profit sector, returned to CMU in a professional capacity,
working as a Career Specialist at Western Colorado Community
College – a division of CMU, and then in the Registrar’s Office
on main campus, before landing my current position. I am
passionate about helping others, and my strength lies in
focusing my approach on the unique, individual needs of each
student.
Financial Aid News
New Financial Aid
Counseling Number!
Questions about payment plans? How to finance
your outstanding balance? Dial 248-1151 to be
connected with a CMU financial counselor.
Pass the $ALT
One of our
participants, Kristi,
shares her experience
with this new program.
“Salt has been an amazing Financial Program. Before
Salt I had a general Idea of what budgeting was, but
didn’t really like the idea of setting one up myself.
However, because of Salt I have a budget in which I
strictly follow called an envelope system this requires a
lot of discipline. Salt has also taught me how to change
this budget based off of what income I am pulling in on
a bi-weekly basis. I have learned to save money instead
of spend money I don't really have. Salt is a fun
interactive program that makes the daily challenges of
finances not so scary.” —Kristi V.
Lives for… I live for the moments that I can spend
outdoors with my family and friends, camping, boating,
hiking, or enjoying a nice fireside chat.
Inspired words… a quote by Rueben Chavez, “Pay
attention to the things you are naturally drawn to, they
are often connected to your path, your passion, and your
purpose. Have the courage to follow them.”
Career Advice… Be prepared. This means treating every
professional you encounter as if they are a potential
employer, thoroughly researching every company to
apply to, updating your resume regularly, and practicing
your interviewing skills. If you do this, you’ll not only
know if an employer is the right fit for you, but also how
to convince the employer that you are a good fit.
Issue 3 Volume 7 Jan/Feb 2017
January/February Funnies
Interview Blunders
CareerBuilder.com releases an annual survey of the
most outrageous interview mistakes candidates have
made, according to over 3,000 hiring managers and HR
professionals nationwide. This is an excerpt from the
top 10.
1. Candidate answered cell phone and asked the
interviewer to leave her own office because it was a
"private" conversation.
2. Candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the
interview room.
3. Candidate said she could not provide a writing
sample because all of her writing had been for the
CIA and it was "classified."
4. Candidate told the interviewer he was fired for
beating up his last boss.
5. Candidate flushed the toilet while talking to the
interviewer during a phone interview.
6. Candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her
hair mid-interview. — CareerBuilder.com
First participant to respond accurately to the trivia
questions will win some sweet CMU
swag!
1. What is the mission of the CMU
Cultural Diversity Board?
2. What’s new student financial
counseling number, and when
might a student use it?
3. What is the date for the TRiO Year-End Celebration?
4. How many projects can a student present for the
Student Showcase? (Hint: Check the FAQs website!)
5. What time do Student Showcase presentations begin
on April 28th?
The United States Department of Education funds Colorado Mesa University at 98% at $1.1 million for a five year grant cycle. The
remaining 2% is non-federal funding from CMU, at $23,600.