The Board of Trustees for Adams State College recently approved a realignment of the college's top administration, effective Aug. 1, according to President David Svaldi. The realignment includes revised titles and shifts in the reporting structure.

"Adams State has had some strong successes over the last three years, including improved financials, increased enrollments, and many approved capital projects. This realignment will help our administration operate even more efficiently and effectively, particularly concerning everyday issues such as personnel supervision and development, and day-to-day business practices and procedures that affect campus climate for both employees and students," Svaldi explained. "The realignment creates a better balance of duties among our top administrators and will help us prepare for succession in college leadership."

Adams State expects this fall's enrollment will exceed last year's, which was the highest ever, at 3,369 students.

Svaldi noted the realignment has not resulted in significant salary adjustments, in view of the financial uncertainty facing the College due to state budget cuts.

"Some individuals with added duties will receive a one-time stipend, similar to overload pay for faculty, but we will defer most permanent base increases for administrators until faculty pay can also be addressed," he said.

Dr. Michael Mumper is now Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Program Development, reporting to the college president. His responsibilities include student success and retention, maintaining enrollment, and measuring and developing programs to sustain student success. The departments reporting to him include Enrollment Management (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records), Institutional Research, Communications, and the Nielsen Library.

"Dr. Mumper has performed in an outstanding manner by leading ASC to strong enrollment increases over the last five semesters, with another increase apparent for Fall 2010," Svaldi said. "With these successes in mind, I thought it in the best interest of the college to allow Dr. Mumper to focus not only on improved enrollment, but also on leading necessary efforts and programs to improve student retention. As we near our campus capacity for students, Dr. Mumper is the best person to fine tune and balance incoming student numbers with improved retention."

Bill Mansheim's title is now Vice President for Finance and Governmental Relations to reflect his responsibility for coordinating and communicating issues related to governmental affairs. Continuing to report to the president, he also assumes supervision of the Assistant Vice President for Extended Studies - Operations, a position held by Judy Phillips.

The following positions will also now report directly to Svaldi:

Enrollment in Adams State College's summer session 2010 increased more than 36 percent over last summer, according to Provost Michael Mumper. With total summer enrollment at 1,148, this is the highest since 2003. This includes 583 undergraduates and 565 graduate students. Total enrollment last summer was 843.

Adams State revamped its summer course schedule in 2009, giving students more options and flexibility, allowing them to take more classes. The success of that strategy is demonstrated by the total student credit hours, which increased 43 percent over last year, Mumper added.

"This is our fifth consecutive term of strong enrollment growth, and we expect to have another increase this fall," Mumper said. The college set an all-time high enrollment last fall, with 3,369 total students.

Adams State's graduate programs, most offered online, are increasingly popular. Graduate enrollment this summer is up nearly 60 percent. The graduate counselor education program is growing significantly. It is the only counseling program offered online by a public college or university that is accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). Adams State's Master's in Business Administration, begun last summer, also continues to expand.

Governor Bill Ritter recently appointed Alamosa resident and Adams State alumnus Arnold Salazar to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for Adams State College. He replaces Alamosa CPA Tim Bachicha, whose term expired. The Governor reappointed trustees Charles Scoggin and Steve Valdez to another term on the board.

"Higher education in this state is at a real crossroads," Salazar said. "We need to figure out how we're going to make higher education a state priority and budget for it. While this is a challenge, it is exciting. The state needs to figure out how to sustain higher education funding, so that it's not subject to the peaks and valleys of economic fluctuations. It's important that we create opportunities for people to earn a college education."

Salazar is Executive Director of Colorado Health Partnerships, an organization covering 43 counties, mostly in rural Colorado. With a budget of $69 million, Salazar is responsible for coordinating the activities of the partnership of eight mental health center providers with ValueOptions, the management services provider, and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the contracting agency for the mental health capitation contract.

Adams State President David Svaldi said: "Arnold Salazar is a highly successful community leader who is passionate about his beliefs and values. He is an excellent addition to the ASC Board of Trustees, and I look forward to working with him."

Salazar explained he brings a unique perspective to the ASC board. “I'm a local person who has an extensive network of statewide contacts; I'm connected to three-quarters of the state with my job. I'm from the San Luis Valley and have lived here all my life, but though my work I've spent a significant amount of time working in Denver with various state agencies."

From 1995 to 2004, Salazar served as Executive Director of SyCare, L.L.C., managing a budget of $18 million and providing services in 19 Counties in Southeastern Colorado. He also formerly served as Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Mental Health Center and as a para-legal Investigator for the Public Defender, working in the Colorado State Penitentiary.

He graduated from Adams State in 1975 with a degree in social welfare, followed by an MSW in Social Work Administration from University of Michigan.

Salazar has an extensive record of service at both the local and state levels, particularly concerning health and mental health. He is a Past President of the Colorado Mental Health Centers and Clinics Association and has served with the Caring for Colorado Foundation, Colorado Health Institute, the Governor's Advisory Council on Mental Health, the Colorado Rural Health Center, and the Governor's Commission on health care reform (Colorado Care). He also worked with the Colorado Children's Campaign and the Colorado Commission for High School Improvement.

Salazar has served as chairman of the Colorado Conservation Voters Action Fund and of the Colorado Wildlife Commission, as well as on the board of Great Outdoors Colorado.

His local service involvements include participation with the San Luis Valley Hispanic League, San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center, the Alamosa County Democratic Central Committee, and Alamosa's community radio station, KRZA, at one point serving as board president. He was also active with the Alamosa Community Economic Development Corporation and was the San Luis Valley Representative for the Colorado Hispanic Agenda Project.

"This is our fourth consecutive semester of strong enrollment growth. We are not only enrolling more students, but those who enroll are better prepared to do college level work. I am pleased that more students from around the state and region are recognizing the high quality and great value of an Adams State education," Mumper said.

Mumper said enrollment in Adams State's online master's program in counselor education is up substantially from last spring; three new cohorts were initiated this semester. The new master's in business administration, begun last summer, is also attracting more students. The college's four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program began this semester, and is already at full capacity, with 27 students.

The online Counselor Education program's recent accreditation by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) has contributed to demand, according to Dr. Susan Varhely, program chair.

"There is a national movement to online education. Ours is the only CACREP accredited counseling program offered online by a public college or university," she added. "Counseling is a growing field, and ASC has a long history and good reputation for providing good counseling training. Our counseling faculty are recognized leaders in this field."

Upward trend

The college started an upward enrollment trend in fall of 2008, with new undergraduates up by 4 percent. Last spring showed a 2 percent overall enrollment increase over spring 2008. The 2009 summer session enrollment was 19 percent higher than the previous year. Then Adams State achieved its highest enrollment ever in fall 2009, with 3,369 total students -- an 18 percent increase from fall 2008.

Students of Hispanic descent account for nearly 29 percent of undergraduates at Adams State. Non-white students comprise more than 37 percent of the undergraduate student body as a whole. Females make up 57 percent of undergraduates.

"We are very proud of the diversity of our student body and the success rates of our minority and women students," Mumper said.

Adams State is federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, qualifying it for significant institutional development grants. A 2007 study by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) found Adams State has the third highest Hispanic graduation rate of all 435 AASCU member institutions.

A very accomplished woman, Dr. Lynn Drake, received her medical degree and specialized in dermatology; was a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow; studied finance at the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program; worked alongside highest ranking members in the US Congress; and was named President of the American Academy of Dermatology. Yet, she is most proud of her parents, Lucille and Olen Drake, former Sargent farmers. "I really appreciate their strength of character, their generosity, the love and guidance they showed me, and for being wonderful citizens."

Drake will deliver the Fall 2009 Adams State College Commencement address. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, December 19, in Plachy Hall. Adams State will award 84 degrees, including 73 bachelor's degrees, 2 master's degrees, and 9 associate degrees. Starting in the fall 2009, Adams State College implemented the policy to hood master's degree candidates only during spring commencement ceremonies.

An accomplished public speaker, with a very impressive resume, including work with Senator Ted Kennedy and former Majority Leader Senator Robert "Bob" Dole, Drake said she is a little nervous about speaking before her hometown audience. "I want to make it right."

Drake earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Adams State College in 66 and 67. She continued with her education at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine, in Memphis; and in 2001 completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Even to sum up her professional resume would take lengthy paragraphs. She credits "walking through doors of opportunity" to her variety of successful ventures. "God's hand was on my shoulder. I have had guidance from above and my mom and dad were so grounded and solid, I thought I could do anything."

Anything...just about, Drake is currently a lecturer in dermatology at Harvard Medical School, a member of the medical staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, and serves as Director of Government and Policy for the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. She is board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology; advised congressmen and presidential candidates and helped craft national and international health policy; has spoken before hundreds of medical organizations and given hundreds of media interviews, among them McNeil-Lehrer, CNN, ABC News, and 20/20. She has been a visiting professor at more than 60 universities, and received several named lectureships. She has authored more than 100 papers and been a reviewer or editorial board member of several prestigious medical journals.

Her drive and dedication is founded on "old-fashion values and morals and courage." She chose to major in mathematics as a freshman at Adams State because she "knew nothing about mathematics." Her decision to attend medical school was based on her family doctor's, Dr. Bill Bailey, suggestion. During her first year on the faculty at Emory University, she kept her next patient, the dean of the medical school, waiting. She apologized to the dean and said she had been waiting 45 minutes for the call-back to admit an elderly woman with a life-threatening disease. He suggested she apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Fellowship and work to change political policy in medicine. "I packed my bags and went to medical school. I packed my bags and went to Washington. I took the job at Harvard because I thought it seemed like a cool job and during a year sabbatical I attended the Harvard Business School because I was curious about how finance works."

She almost came home her first week of medical school in Memphis, Tenn. "I flunked my first test, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated and tanks rolled down the streets to break up riots plus a hunt for a mass murderer was being conducted. I would call my father and say 'I want to come home,' he would tell me, 'wait two more weeks.' That's how I got through that first year, two weeks at a time."

And as time passed, opportunities were presented and taken. Drake credits Emeritus Professor of Mathematics Dr. Palmer Smith as an Adams State mentor, who told her if she could successfully major in math she "could do medical school." Yet the former Sargent farmer, who drove a truck for hay-haulers by age eight, said she never thought herself exceptional. "I never thought I was smart. I was way too busy to think about being proud or smart."

Ann Rice, vice chair of the Adams State Board of Trustees, will convey the greetings from the board, while Olivia A. Martinez will deliver the 2009 class message. Dr. Christine Keitges, professor of music, will lead the singing of the Alma Mater. A reception sponsored by AS&F will follow the ceremony for graduates and their guests in the Plachy Hall Field House.

Twelve exceptional science and mathematics students were named Adams State College's Porter Scholars for 2009. Adams State President David Svaldi honored the new scholars and their professors at a dinner in the college's Luther Bean Museum Oct. 28.

"This is one of the most enjoyable activities I host," Svaldi said. "These students are simply outstanding people. Bill and Joan Porter's generous donation makes this all possible."

The Porter Scholars program was created in 2007 by the largest gift in the college's history: 250,000 shares in E*TRADE Financial Corporation worth $5.8 million. William and Joan Porter made the donation specifically to help mathematics and science majors "on the basis of their need and their ongoing academic achievement." Mr. Porter earned a degree in mathematics from Adams State in 1951. He is chairman emeritus and founder of E*TRADE and founder of the International Securities Exchange.

The Adams State science and mathematics faculty designed a program to achieve the Porters' goals and expand students' educational opportunities. Dr. Matt Nehring, professor of physics and chair of the Department of Chemistry, Computer Science & Mathematics, said: "The faculty on the Porter Scholars Committee have been meeting this fall to develop a strategy to attract and recruit incoming freshmen to the Porter Scholars Program. We hope to significantly increase the number of Porter Scholars next year, yet maintain our high academic standards for the program."

The 2009 group includes five students who were also included in the program's inaugural selection in 2008: Jessica Adams, a senior majoring in cellular & molecular biology from Cimarron, N. M.; Amber Harlan a freshman majoring in cellular & molecular biology major from Monte Vista, Colo,; Jenny Ives, a senior geology major from Colorado Springs, Colo.; Paul Kobe, a junior with a triple major in organismal biology, music performance, and music composition from Columbia Station, Ohio.; and Kerry Sheader, a sophomore majoring in geology and art from Grand Junction, Colo.

Also chosen as 2009 Porter Scholars were Lorraine Glidewell, a sophomore majoring in wildlife biology and English from Pismo Beach, Calif., Kayla Lanoue, a junior geology major from Pueblo, Colo., Hil Lassek, a junior majoring in math, computer science, and business from Lincoln, Neb.; Benjamin Naas; Emily Sanchez, a junior molecular biology major from El Paso, Texas; Jeremy Shaffer, a junior majoring in biochemistry and biology from El Paso, Texas; and Daniel Ramirez, a freshman biochemistry major from Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Most of this year's Porter Scholars have their sights set on an advanced degree. They are also involved in a variety of college clubs, tutoring, volunteering, athletics, music, dance, and outdoor pursuits.

Academic Opportunities

All Porter Scholars have special academic opportunities, including focused academic programs off campus, independent study, and research on advanced topics. The program's initial First-year Experience Trip, last May, offered biology or geology credit for Natural History of the National Parks. A group of ten Porter Scholars explored Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Kerry Sheader and Emily Sanchez gave a joint presentation on the experience as part of a recent Lunchtime Talk in Science and Mathematics.

Two Porter Scholars also received assistance for summer 2009 academic experiences. Jenny Ives attended Fort Lewis College's summer geology field camp, and Jessica Adams participated in a two-week focused academic program at the Karolinska Institute and Novum Research Center in Sweden.

In addition, the program awards Porter Scholarships to students with unmet financial need, as calculated through the financial aid process. The amount of aid awarded each year varies, depending on the number of qualified applicants and the endowment's earnings in the previous year. Upperclassmen must achieve a GPA of 3.0 in math and science courses, and 3.0 overall, while new students are selected based on a combination of grades and ACT/SAT scores.

Porter Scholars Program