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President
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Head of Compliance + Title IX Coordinator
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Neely Patton
Neely Patton has been with RMCAD since 2007, serving as an Associate Professor of Art History, Department Head and Chair of Liberal Arts, Dean of Program and Curriculum Development, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, and Strategic Advisor to the President. In her current role, Patton oversees the execution of the college’s 5-year strategic plan. Directly supporting Academic Affairs, Patton oversees student learning assessment and program review and serves as the College’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). Patton collaborates across the college on other initiatives related to continuous improvement through annual surveys, departmental annual goals and objectives, and key results and performance indicators. She holds a Master of Arts in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Denver and is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA). Neely is an avid supporter and promoter of visual, performative, and poetic artistic practices and practitioners.
Leila Ertel
Leila Ertel (she/her/hers) is a digital marketer who specializes in conversion rate optimization and growth marketing. Ertel holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from San Francisco State University and has since served in several marketing and communications roles, most recently as VP of Marketing for RMCAD. Prior to RMCAD, she served as Head of eCommerce Marketing for VSP Vision. She joined RMCAD in July 2023 and has since used her creative and analytical skills to help more students discover RMCAD and their path to a fulfilling creative career.
Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson, a Colorado local, brings a wealth of experience in higher education, with over twenty years devoted to nurturing art and design students. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, she has traversed various roles spanning career services, student affairs, housing, and admissions. Johnson’s number one priority is students, evident in her commitment to fostering collaboration across departments
Kyle Curran
With over two decades of experience in higher education operations and enrollment management, Kyle Curran brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management at RMCAD. He is responsible for all admissions, advising, and technology functions for the college. Prior to his work at RMCAD, Curran served as the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Metavasi Partners, a consulting firm specializing in business process redesign and technology transformation for public and private institutions. With previous roles as Senior Vice President of Operations at Zovio, Inc., an educational technology services company, and various leadership positions at the University of Phoenix, Curran has experience in optimizing operations, enhancing student success, and fostering collaboration across teams.
Carrie Iverson
Carrie Iverson is an experienced accounting and finance professional with over 15 years in the field. Iverson has a proven track record of successfully managing financial operations and driving business growth. She has a strong background in accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. Prior to joining RMCAD as Director of Accounting + Finance, Iverson held senior finance roles in other higher education institutions where she implemented strategic financial initiatives that resulted in increased profitability. She holds a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation and has a Masters in Accounting. She is a strategic thinker with a passion for driving financial performance and delivering results while mentoring her rockstar team of other accounting professionals.
Tracy Craven
Director of Financial Aid, Tracy Craven is an accomplished financial aid executive with over 20 years of experience in the field. Craven holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Masters in Organizational Management from Regis University. Having worked in both the private and public education sector her entire career, she is an expert in all aspects of being compliant with Title IV along with submitting new program approvals and updates in e-Application when necessary. In her current role as Director of Financial Aid and Military Services, she currently leads a geographically dispersed team and has delivered flawless FSA (Federal Student Aid), and OAE (Office of Inspector General Office of Audits and Evaluations) over her tenure. Craven currently sits as a membership chair of CAFAA (Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators).
Sara Olson
Sara E. Rodriguez Olson is a seasoned Executive Customer Success professional based in Denver, Colorado. With almost 15 years of higher education experience, she brings a proven track record in driving student satisfaction, retention, and revenue growth. Olson excels in developing and executing customer success strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and leveraging data insights for continuous improvement. She is a dynamic leader who has significantly increased student retention rates and reentry application-start rates through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts. With expertise in CRM, operational management, and leadership development, Olson is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering long-term business success. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Nicolle Dale
Nicolle Dale is a Career and Professional Development leader with over a decade of experience in higher education. As the Director of Career and Alumni Services at RMCAD, Dale oversees a comprehensive program aimed at empowering students and alumni to achieve their professional goals. Dale excels at building strong relationships with employers and alumni and orchestrates impactful programming initiatives such as career fairs, networking events, workshops, and industry-specific guest speakers. Her strategic leadership has led to the creation of innovative initiatives that align with current job market trends and meet the evolving needs of both students and employers. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Merchandising and Design from Colorado State University.
Wendy Wibbens
Director of Academic Operations, Wendy Wibbens began her career in higher education at the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music as an administrative assistant. One of her favorite series of positions came during her 10 years at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she worked in a series of positions in the Graduate School and created many new programs, relationships, and opportunities for graduate students. Wibbens also worked as a Registrar at Colorado Christian University. Prior to coming to RMCAD, she worked at CSU-Global building out a variety of departments during the startup of that organization. Over her 30+ years in higher education, Wibbens has worked in many positions across administration. She was also an instructor at Southern New Hampshire University for the Master’s in Leadership program. She has served Academic Affairs at RMCAD for 9 years, helping build out a variety of services and support functions at the College. She holds a certificate in Graphic Design from Platt College, is completing a Certificate in Botanical Illustration with the Denver Botanic Gardens, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado Christian University, and a Master of Arts in Leadership from the Denver Seminary.
Gretchen Schaefer
Gretchen Marie Schaefer was born, raised, and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Visual Arts from Regis University. She is a co-founding member of artist-owned and operated TANK Studios, LLC., a sustainable, community-centered studio space for professional artists in Denver. Schaefer is a former board member of RedLine Contemporary Art Center and of Tilt West, a non-profit dedicated to fostering critical dialogue in art and culture through conversations and publications. Since 2013, Schaefer has directed the Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer Program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) where she curates the annual theme and roster of visiting artists. Her curatorial work includes exhibitions by Catherine Haggarty and Esteban Cabeza de Baca. In 2014, Schaefer was listed as one of Denver Westword’s “100 Colorado Creatives” and in 2016 she received Westword’s “Best Of” for her work directing the Visiting Artist Program at RMCAD. Her artwork has been exhibited at numerous locations including the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Colorado Boulder Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Rule Gallery in Marfa, TX, Texas Tech University’s School of Art, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO. Schaefer was an artist-in-residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center (Denver, CO), Breckenridge Creative Arts (Breckenridge, CO), and Jentel Artist Residency (Banner, WY).
Martha Neth
Martha Neth became an art librarian because art students ask better questions than business students. She has worked at the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Institute of Colorado and now is at RMCAD sharing the knowledge she has collected over the years. She possesses a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a Master of Library Studies and is currently working on her PhD.
Kellie Johnson
Kellie Johnson brings over 13 years of experience in higher education to her role as RMCAD’s Registrar. In her role, she oversees the Office of the Registrar, ensuring institutional compliance with rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Education and student record keeping. Her responsibilities extend to student scheduling, evaluating transfer credits for incoming students, degree conferral, and orchestrating various administrative processes crucial to the success of the institution. Additionally, Johnson serves as the Primary Designated School Official within the SEVIS system, entrusted with the issuance of student visas and maintaining compliance with international student regulations. Her management facilitates seamless experiences for international students while navigating intricate visa procedures. Furthermore, she is vital in assisting international students with post-graduation options. As a PDSO, Johnson is responsible for periodic recertification reviews through SEVP.
Before her tenure as Registrar, Johnson honed her expertise through diverse roles at RMCAD, including positions in Admissions and Enrollment Management. These experiences equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s dynamics and a commitment to fostering student success at every stage of their academic journey. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Keely Garcia
As the Campus Director for Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Keely Garcia is responsible for providing comprehensive oversight and coordination across facilities, community engagement, campus logistics, and safety. With a passion for education and the arts, her goal is to support a hub of creativity and opportunity for RMCAD’s students, faculty and staff as well as community members and visitors who come to the gem that is the Lakewood, CO campus.
Before joining RMCAD, Garcia worked at a local law firm specializing in supporting school districts, where she gained extensive experience in educational operations, policy, compliance, and advocacy. Her background in both legal and academic settings gives her a unique perspective on institutional leadership and student support.
Jessica Elliott
Elliott brings extensive knowledge and experience in interior design and academic administration, along with a passion for teaching, to Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Science in Interior Design and acquired her certification from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification in 2010.
For the past 17 years, Elliott has been leading and educating interior design students and faculty. She has taught various interior design classes, including Introduction to Interior Design, Commercial Design, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Hospitality Design. In addition to her academic role, Elliott has worked full-time in the field of commercial interior design since earning her undergraduate degree. Her areas of specialty include space planning, AutoCAD, construction management, finish selection, field verification, and furniture specification for large commercial clients.
In her spare time, Elliott enjoys working out at Orange Theory and hiking with her son, Jaxson, daughter, Jaidyn, and Vizslas, Quinn, and Bailey. Fall is her favorite time of year. Golf and photography have been hobbies of hers for several years.
Dr. Lucas Sheaffer
Lucas Sheaffer is an educator and scholar from Denver, Colorado. He holds a PhD from Temple University. His work interrogates the intersection of the natural world and the narrative imagination, specifically the role and metaphor water in 20th century American fiction. After nearly a decade of teaching, Sheaffer has taught environmental literature courses on three continents, and loves to travel locally and globally with his family and students whenever possible. If not reading a beautiful novel, then you’ll likely find him hiking or exploring with his family throughout Colorado. Most recently Sheaffers’ work appeared as a chapter in Ecocriticism and the Future of Southern Studies (LSU Press 2019) edited by Zachary Vernon.
Dr. Sean Peuquet
Sean is from Philadelphia, PA and currently resides in Denver, CO. He holds his BA from the University of Virginia, double major in Music and Psychology, with a minor in Astronomy; MA from Dartmouth College in Electro-Acoustic Music; PhD in Music Composition from the University of Florida.
Sean states that as learners, we should strive to be skeptical, agnostic, and curious about both musical aesthetics and technologies. We must learn to wear many hats, walk in different shoes, and value and validate diverse perspectives. But that doesn’t mean we should soak in knowledge from some distanced, unengaged perspective. As developing practitioners, we need to get our hands dirty; we need to make an applied choice— to adopt a perspective, technology, or collaborative effort that aligns with and asserts a particular way of listening, to defend that decision, to remain open to listening beyond our current limitations, to solicit feedback and criticism, to confront our blindspots in dialogue with others, and to then try again.
His favorite thing about RMCAD is the dynamic sense of openness to new ideas and possibilities that serve our students. We’re a collaborative, solutions-oriented group of faculty, staff, and administrators that want to make learning art, design, and music fun, relevant, and socially impactful.
Matt Garland
Matt Garland is a highly accomplished HR professional with a proven track record of success in various roles. He is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of HR best practices and a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Garland has extensive experience in all aspects of HR, including total rewards, organizational development, and HR policies and compliance. Garland is also a certified SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional), demonstrating his expertise and commitment to the HR profession. Outside of his professional life, Garland is an avid chef, trying new creations on his family, and spends his time with his wife, daughter, and chocolate lab Bailey.
Lauren Kirwin
Lauren Kirwin has over eight years of experience engaging students and young adults both on-campus and in the community. She is passionate about providing engaging opportunities for students to grow personally and professionally. Kirwin began her career at Michigan Technological University, advising student organizations, volunteering with the campus food pantry, and leading staff committees to support student opportunities. Most recently, she managed all youth and young adult programs at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. In her free time, she serves as a board member for DOVIA Colorado and chairs the Hike for Hope event for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She enjoys reading and traveling with her two dogs and her husband.
Jenna Heil
Jenna Heil is a passionate writer who values brand awareness and media relation strategies. She joined the RMCAD team in February 2022 and has since helped redesign the RMCAD site and relaunch the RMCAD Blog. Heil has 6+ years of experience in the communications and marketing realms, spanning several industries including sustainable seafood, travel and tourism, construction, and higher education. Her expertise lies in content creation and management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from The University of Georgia – Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Dr. Sarah Ackermann
Most recently Dr. Sarah Ackermann’s family lived in Noblesville, Indiana before relocating to Lakewood, Colorado. She has lived in Illinois, Missouri, and Switzerland. Fun fact, Sarah was actually born in Arvada, although she only lived here for a few months of her life. Sarah has a long and joyful history in education. She loves to learn! She earned a bachelors in art education and a bachelors in photography from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She stayed on to complete her masters in art education right after graduation. From there she went on to teach high school photography in the Chicago suburbs. After several years of working at Streamwood High School, she went back to pursue her doctorate in art education from the University of Missouri St. Louis. Shortly before graduating with her PhD, Sarah and her husband had the amazing opportunity to move to Zurich, Switzerland. She taught at several international schools there while wrapping up her dissertation. After four years abroad she came back to serve as Chief Academic Officer at the Art of Education University, and then Executive Director of Teaching Innovation at Ball State University.
Alex Heilner
Alex is originally from New York; spent fifteen years in Baltimore; and now lives in Denver, Colorado. He earned his BA in Art History and Studio Art from Princeton University. He earned is MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Heilner has exhibited, published, and screened his work nationally and internationally. He has been awarded numerous residencies and prizes, including the prestigious Baker Artist Award, and he was named Baltimore’s Best Photographer in 2012. He is best known for his aerial landscape photography and videos, which chronicle the water crisis in the Colorado River Basin, as well as other points of interaction between human infrastructure and the natural environment.
Adam Roland
Adam is from Tampa, FL with a Master of Arts in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art + Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Ringling College of Art and Design. He holds a certification through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and is licensed to practice commercial interior design within the state of Florida.
Adam specializes in office, medical, retail, government, and hospitality interior design projects. His teaching philosophy is to share meaningful design education, instruction, and practice. His goal is to contribute as a mentor to future practitioners. In the classroom, he emphasizes design precedent, process, collaboration, and personal reflection.
He shares that his role as a design educator is constantly evolving. Through a reflective process, he is able to establish and refine his teaching philosophy. As he reflects on the value of design, Adam encourages students to model the same behavior. Design education has the power to change how we think, see the world, and live our lives; it elevates who we are. When Adam isn’t teaching, you can find him traveling, he loves being immersed in new locations, cultures, and ways of life.
Nicole Yang
Nicole Yang is an artist and educator in the field of Illustration and Entertainment Arts. Yang is a Dean’s List graduate from ArtCenter College of Design and received her MFA summa cum laude from California State University, Fullerton where she taught a range of Illustration courses. She has also taught at California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) in the Animation Department and served as a guest lecturer at various institutions, including the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou and UC Berkeley. In 2023, she was awarded a fellowship by the Mellon Foundation and her work has been featured in galleries and publications such as Illustration West and Infected by Art. She has an interest in the expressive power of line and the combination of traditional and digital techniques to create unique and dynamic visuals. When she begrudgingly leaves her cats, she loves to travel with her husband and explore new cities. Her top two bucket list recommendations: 1. Hike the Kyoto Trail behind the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and 2. E-bike through Paris at night.
Select client list: Disney Publishing Worldwide, State Farm Insurance, Shein, Intertrend Communications, Institute for Dental Implant Awareness, WebMD, The Chuck Jones Experience, and Jet Set Studios for Warner Bros Pictures.
Jaime Carrejo
Jaime is from El Paso, Texas and currently lives in Denver, Colorado. He received his BFA from the University of Texas El Paso in Ceramics and MFA. from the University of South Florida. Before teaching at RMCAD, he taught at the College of Wooster. His work has been featured in prestigious publications like The New York Times, Art Forum, and Hyperallergic. Notable exhibitions include ‘Waiting’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (2021) and ‘Pa’lante’ at The Momentary in Arkansas (2021). His project ‘Border/Land’ is part of the permanent collection at the El Paso Museum of Art (2018).
Using the medium of painting and sculpture, Jaime layers intricate patterns, graphic still-life images, and symbolic representations of physical barriers. The layering of imagery plays a crucial role in examining the convergence of lived experiences, which complicate our understanding of place. By employing hard-edge painting methods, his intention is to evoke a contemplative space that prompts reflection on the intricate nature of everyday life by creating seemingly defined boundaries. Additionally, he explores the fragility and resilience of our domestic life amidst external pressures. Within his paintings, Jaime incorporates plants as substitutes for human presence. These botanical elements are chosen based on their migration histories and their symbolic significance. Through his work, he visually explores the interplay of identity, belonging, and the spaces we inhabit. Ultimately, Jaime invites others to contemplate the relationships we form within a world characterized by borders and transitions.
Jaime pursues traditional and hybrid forms of pedagogy in order to adapt to rapid, ever-changing artistic practices and technological landscapes. Simultaneously, he vigorously pushes students to discover the structure of visual language and become fluent in the various historical/theoretical contexts while actively engaging in the physical act of making. Jaime also believes that it is crucial for instructors to share their ideas and experiences in order to learn from one another and collaborate in order to discover new methodologies. He believes that creating a space for open and diverse perspectives is key to personal and communal development to foster a greater, public good.
Dr. Becky Black
Becky holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of Houston-Downtown, a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of Houston, and a PhD in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona. She is also a graduate of the National Art Education Association’s School for Art Leaders. Becky’s research centers on undergraduate art history pedagogy, socially engaged art history, and visual culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since 2019, Becky has served as a research and public talks volunteer with Historic Denver’s The Molly Brown House. Becky’s recent research and public speaking have focused on the historic campus RMCAD occupies, which is an historic landmark still celebrated for its place as a tuberculosis sanatorium in the early 20th century.
Stephanie Carlo
Stephanie Carlo is a multifaceted fashion designer from Puerto Rico who has made a career teaching aspiring designers. She earned her B.F.A. in Fashion Design from the School of Fine Arts and Design of Puerto Rico and an M.F.A. in Fashion Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work is inspired by historical events and political movements that started with the purpose of fighting for Puerto Rico’s independence. Her focus is specifically women’s leading roles within these movements. Her professional experience and practice also includes fashion consulting, patternmaking, collection development, illustration, prints & patterns, and graphic design. She also has a background in printmaking, woodcarving and screen-printing.
