CMC President and CEO Carrie Besnette Hauser’s legacy; educational access, innovation and community investment
One of the most tenured higher education CEOs in Colorado and the longest-serving president in Colorado Mountain College (CMC) history, Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser has announced her decision to step down in August.
Colorado Mountain College President and CEO Carrie Besnette Hauser delivers her commencement address during the spring 2022 commencement ceremony for Colorado Mountain College’s Salida campus, held at the SteamPlant Theater on May 7. Photo by Andy Colwell
Hauser was named CMC’s president and CEO in December 2013. She is the ninth president and the second woman to hold the position.
Regarding the timing of her decision, Hauser said, “There comes a moment when leaders know in their hearts that it is time to conclude their service, particularly when an organization is in such a strong position.”
Hauser intends to work closely with the CMC Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth leadership transition and to recharge in Colorado’s great outdoors before stepping into her next professional role.
Colorado Mountain College is a uniquely financed, public, open-access higher education institution offering a range of undergraduate programs and specialized certificates at 11 campuses across eight rural resort counties in Colorado’s central mountain region.
Under Hauser’s leadership, CMC has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and Colorado’s only Dual Mission institution in state law.
Hauser has guided the college through three strategic plans, raised record levels of external funding, implemented the successful annexation of two new communities – Salida and Poncha Springs – into the CMC taxing district and positioned CMC to earn one of the strongest credit ratings for a college or university in Colorado. Graduation and completion rates among nearly every student group have steadily increased since her arrival.
Reflecting Hauser’s close working relationship with the CMC Board of Trustees and senior leadership team over the past decade, the college ran successful ballot initiatives to amend or retire complex state tax policies detrimental to rural communities. The college has invested over $130 million in capital projects including much-needed affordable housing in several high-cost communities where CMC operates.
For its fiscal stewardship and effective alignment with internal management, CMC’s elected trustees received the 2023 Nason Award by the Association of Governing Boards.
Hauser has also served on local, state and national boards focused on issues including higher education, economic development, philanthropy and the outdoor industry.
During her presidency, two governors appointed Hauser to the Colorado Centennial Vote Commission and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission. From 2021-23, she chaired CPW during a time when Colorado was in the national spotlight following a narrowly decided statewide ballot measure requiring the reintroduction of gray wolves to Colorado.
While serving as chair and one of three members representing state parks and outdoor recreation, the commission also approved a historic vehicle registration fee to fund state parks, an outdoor equity grant program and numerous conservation easements and public lands acquisitions.
In recognition of her exemplary leadership, Hauser was named in February as the 2023 Citizen of the Year by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
“Serving as president and CEO of Colorado Mountain College has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” said Hauser. “Our team has accomplished so much on behalf of students and by delivering consistent value to the mountain communities that invest so heavily in CMC. Helping individuals from all backgrounds pursue their dreams while contributing to the economic vitality of our region and state has been incredibly fulfilling.”
Peg Portscheller, who chairs the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees commented, “While it is difficult to imagine CMC without Dr. Hauser at the helm, I speak for the entire board and share my sincerest gratitude to Carrie for more than a decade of exceptional service to the college and for her leadership in our state and across the nation.”
“[Hauser] joined CMC during a turbulent time in its history,” added Portscheller. “Today, it is a model institution with enviable fiscal strength, academic quality, unparalleled commitments to equity and organizational culture, reputational excellence and a student-first culture that is second to none. Under Carrie’s leadership and the talented management team she has recruited, coached and mentored, CMC has become a trusted partner, resulting in bold initiatives that have transformed the college’s physical presence, expanded academic programs and deepened its social and public policy impact.”
Until Hauser’s departure in August, Portscheller anticipates there will be ample opportunities to celebrate President Hauser’s achievements and CMC’s evolution under her leadership.
The CMC Board of Trustees will meet this Friday to discuss the process to select Hauser’s successor.
Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser has served the CMC community since 2013 as president and CEO of Colorado Mountain College. Previous to CMC, Hauser held leadership roles at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Daniels Fund. While at Daniels, she was a loaned executive advising Denver’s mayor on a citywide college scholarship program and assisting the Metro Denver Sports Commission on an initiative to attract top-tier sporting events, including the Olympic Games. She co-chaired the 2012 Women’s Final Four in Denver.
Hauser is the immediate past chair of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and a member of the Vail Valley Foundation, American Council on Education and The Nature Conservancy of Colorado’s boards of directors. She serves on the El Pomar Foundation’s Northwest Regional Council, Colorado’s PBS12 Community Advisory Board, and is past president of the National Scholarship Providers Association.
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