Adjunct Professor of Business George Ackerman, Ph.D., recently published “Sports Exercise and Slowing the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease.” The book provides an in-depth review of the journeys of those diagnosed with PD, advocates, and caregivers. The emphasis is on the importance of slowing the progression of PD through sports.
David Carrillo, adjunct professor, released his debut book, “Kiko: From Life Without Parole to Life with Purpose.” In the memoir, David Carrillo shares his journey from incarceration to earning his freedom through education, perseverance, and purpose. “As the nation’s first incarcerated professor at Adams State University’s Prison Education Program, his story is a testament to the power of redemption and the human spirit’s capacity for change,” said Lauren Hansen, director of prison education programs. “His achievements ultimately led to a grant of clemency, transforming what was once a life sentence into a life dedicated to teaching, learning, and inspiring others.”
Migrant Education Program Senior Educational Recruiter Minga Francisco has been recognized and appreciated regionally and statewide for her leadership and expertise, in identification and recruitment for migrant education. She was acknowledged in the Migrant Education Program State Education Agency Notes, in October 2025.
Caroline Gabe, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology, presented “Land, Water, and Faith: Settlement Patterns in Northern New Mexico and the San Luis Valley,” at the Rocky Mountain Anthropological Conference.
Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of Education recently attended the State Apprenticeship Strategy Convening at Oxford University in Oxford, England where he represented Adams State University in learning about how degree-apprenticeship models can be used to support credit and degree attainment in professional fields like teaching, social work, and business while lowering the costs of higher education and degree attainment for future students. The convening included groups from institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations from three states, including Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Garcia is leading the School of Education in actively exploring ways to incorporate apprenticeships into their teacher licensure pathways so students can obtain credit for prior learning and earn income as working professionals while completing state requirements for their degrees and licensure.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Chris Kam, Ph.D., and co-author Samoon Tasmim from Saint Paul University, published “The Nectar of Conscious and Unconscious Interpersonal Complexity Cross-Pollinating in Western and Non-Western Counseling Contexts,” in Sage Journals.
Assistant Professor of History David Johnson Lee, Ph.D., signed a contract with Verso Books for a translation of “Week-end en Guatemala,” by Nobel Prize winner Miguel Ángel Asturias, which is scheduled for publication next year. Dr. Lee also presented his paper “Ri ubix ulew: Language and Identity in Humberto Ak’abal’s Poetry,” at the Rocky Mountain Anthropological Conference.
Chris Merriman, Ph.D., adjunct instructor of cultural resource management, organized the Rocky Mountain Anthropological Conference this year. It brought roughly 60 anthropologists from around the region to the Adams State Campus October 9-12.
Director of the Center for Teaching, Innovation, and Research Artemis Preeshl, Ed.D., was nominated for the Academic Management Institute. The first conference was held in October. Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies Amanda Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Aftin Gillespie, and Budget Director Simone Lenzini are members of the AMI.
Vice President of Advancement Jake Rissler recently joined the Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. Board of Directors
Director School of Humanities & Social Sciences Colleen M. Schaffner, Ph.D., published “Endocrine and behavioral responses to ecological and social challenges in wild Geoffroy’s spider monkeys,” in the Hormones and Behavior Journal, vol. 175, November 2025. In June, she was elected to the board of the Colorado & Wyoming Network of Women Leaders as vice-chair.
On November 3, Kassiopeia Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor in mechanical engineering, gave a special session on Cultivating Adaptable Engineerings through Interdisciplinary and Contextual Learning Strategies at the Frontiers in Engineering Education Conference put on by the IEEE Education Society held in Nashville, Tenn.
AJ Webb, D.H.S., assistant professor NTT of management, earned a Doctorate of Health Sciences with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Leadership, from A.T. Still University College of Graduate Health Studies. He graduated with honors in five years. He completed his final project “Assessing an Institute of Higher Education’s Employee Population Health to Inform Worksite Health Promotion Program Strategic Planning.”
Dr. Webb and Brittany Harlan, assistant professor of business were selected to represent Adams State as University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Ethics Initiative Champions. Assistant Professors Harlan and Webb are two of the 15 ethics champions who represent ten different two- and four-year colleges from the Southern Colorado Ethics Consortium and work to expand principled-based ethics education throughout their campus and regional community. Each ethics champion works collaboratively with the UCCS Ethics Initiative to share resources and initiatives with educators throughout southern Colorado.
In November, the Department of Music Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano James Wehe, D.M.A., will host Joshua Sawicki, pianist from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. His recital begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in Leon Memorial Hall. Joshua Sawicki will perform works by Mozart, Grieg, Gershwin, Helps, and Shostakovich. Dr. Wehe will join him on stage for two pieces for two pianos.
Schools and Departments
The School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics was featured in Lumina Foundation Focus Magazine, spring 2025 publication.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts hosted Arts Extravaganza, which brought 139 high school students to campus for a day of workshops in art, music, and theatre.
The Mechanical Engineering program hosted Discover ME Day, which brought 90 high school students to campus for engineering activities.
