IRIS Advisors are dedicated, student-centered professionals who help you navigate your academic journey. They can guide you in choosing classes, exploring majors, understanding degree requirements, connect you with campus resources and building a path toward your goals. Advisors get to know you, provide personalized support and help remove barriers so you can focus on thriving both academically and personally.
IRIS is organized into specialized teams that align with groups of majors, ensuring that every Mav gets guidance from someone who understands their academic area and career pathways. This team-based structure allows us to provide tailored support that fits the unique needs of each area of study.
No matter if you are studying on our main campus, at CMU Tech or in Montrose you will have an IRIS advisor dedicated to helping you plan, keep moving forward and succeed.
Meet the Advisors
Team Black
Team Black serves students driven by innovation, problem‑solving, and building strong foundations for in‑demand careers. With expertise in computer science, engineering, construction management, mathematics, teacher education, and kinesiology, our advisors create a supportive space where you can explore options, chart your path, and stay on track.
Team Black from left to right: Katie Bent, Carisa Rhiness, Olivia Hanson, Andrew Davis, Anne-Marie Klein, Caroline Gallegos
The Kinesiology Department at CMU focuses on the science of human movement, health, wellness, and physical activity. Students explore how the body moves and performs through hands‑on learning in areas like exercise, fitness, sport, teaching, and wellness promotion. With access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities—including the Maverick Center and the Monfort Family Human Performance Lab—students gain practical experience that supports careers in education, fitness and health promotion, sport management, and exercise science. The department emphasizes active learning, real‑world application, and preparing students to promote healthy, active lifestyles in diverse communities.
CMU's Computer Science programs offer flexibility to dive into specialized areas through elective courses and certificates. Students can explore fields such as web page design, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer graphics, video game design, databases, cybersecurity, multimedia, and networks. These options help you tailor your degree to your interests-whether you're excited about building secure systems, designing games, creating intelligent machines, or developing next-generation software applications.
Mathematics at CMU is about exploring patterns, solving problems, and understanding the structures that shape the world around us. Students learn how to think logically, work with quantitative information, and use mathematical and statistical tools to solve real-world problems. The program blends theory with application and offers small class sizes, individual faculty support, and opportunities for research across disciplines such as computer science, biology, and environmental science.
Construction Management is all about leading the planning, organization, and delivery of construction projects-from homes and commercial buildings to roads, bridges, and large industrial structures. Students in CMU's program learn how to coordinate people, materials, equipment, safety, schedules, and budgets to ensure projects are completed on time, on budget, and to high quality and safety standards. The program prepares future construction leaders by combining technical knowledge, hands-on learning, and strong communication and problem-solving skills.
CMU's Center for Teacher Education prepares future educators to become confident, knowledgeable, and compassionate teachers who make a difference in their communities. Students develop strong teaching skills through coursework, hands-on field experiences in local schools, and mentorship from experienced faculty. All programs are approved by the Colorado Department of Education and lead to licensure, giving graduates a clear path to teaching in Colorado and beyond.
Team Gold
Team Gold serves students fueled by creativity, communication, and exploration. With expertise in art, business, languages and literature, mass communication, music, theatre, and undeclared pathways, our advisors offer a welcoming space to discover interests, gain clarity, and move confidently toward a future that fits.
Team Gold from left to right: Levi Van Pelt, Kole Bridge, Zoey Tomlinson, Julie Bruggenthies, Robby Bishop, Madison Plank, Giovany Tarango Gardea
The business program at CMU gives students a strong foundation in how organizations operate and prepares them to succeed in today’s fast‑moving, global business environment. Through coursework in management, marketing, finance, analytics, and other core areas, students develop practical skills they can apply across industries—from corporate settings to nonprofits, startups, and entrepreneurial ventures. A business degree at CMU is flexible, versatile, and designed to open doors to a wide range of career paths.
The Music program at CMU prepares students to thrive as creative, versatile musicians in the 21st century. With training that blends traditional musicianship with contemporary styles, students develop strong skills in performance, theory, history, technology, and ensemble work. Whether you want to perform, teach, create, or work in the music industry, CMU offers hands‑on learning, individualized instruction, and a community of supportive faculty and peers.
The Art & Design Department at CMU is a creative, hands‑on community where students learn to think visually, work professionally, and develop their artistic voice. The department offers several Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees—including Art, Graphic Design–Visual Design, and Animation, Film, Photography, and Motion Design—as well as concentrations in Art Education (K–12), Art History, and Studio Art. Students build foundational skills through courses in drawing, design, and art history before moving into specialized studio work aligned with their interests. With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, well‑equipped studios, and a focus on both traditional and contemporary practices, the program helps students grow as makers, thinkers, and emerging creative professionals.
The Theatre Arts Department at CMU is a vibrant, hands‑on community where students train as performers, directors, designers, and dancers in an environment that’s both ambitious and personalized. The program combines rigorous, conservatory‑style instruction with the flexibility of a supportive liberal arts setting, offering small class sizes, individual faculty attention, and productions chosen specifically for the current group of students. Opportunities to perform, create, and collaborate begin as early as your first year
The Department of Languages, Literature & Mass Communication invites students to explore the power of language, storytelling, and communication across cultures and media. Students engage with literature, learn new languages, practice creative and analytical writing, and develop skills in media production—including video, radio, print, and digital content. The department emphasizes critical thinking, clear communication, and creative problem‑solving—abilities that prepare graduates for a wide range of careers.
IRIS in Montrose
At the Montrose campus, IRIS Advisor Chrissy Simmons offers flexible, student-centered support for Mavericks completing coursework closer to home or studying remotely. She helps you stay on track with class planning, major exploration, and preparation for seamless transitions between campuses or programs. Whether you plan to finish your degree in Montrose or continue in Grand Junction, our team ensures you receive the same level of connection, clarity, and care-so you can move toward your goals with confidence.
Learn MoreTeam MAVroon
Team Maroon serves students pursuing discovery, science, and health‑focused careers. With expertise in biology, health sciences, kinesiology, and physical and environmental sciences, our advisors provide personalized guidance to help you navigate coursework, explore opportunities, and build a strong foundation for your academic and professional goals.
Team Mavroon from left to right: Abby Palmer, Scarlett Crowley, Dan Salazar, Alicia Mellor, Delaney Castronovo, Anna Salazar, Jackie Vlcek,
The Biology Department at CMU explores the science of life—from molecules and cells to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Students build a strong foundation in biological principles through hands‑on learning in the classroom, laboratory, and field, with opportunities to participate in undergraduate research alongside faculty. The department offers flexibility, allowing students to tailor their studies to interests such as health professions, ecology and conservation, or molecular and cellular biology, while benefiting from small class sizes and dedicated faculty support.
The Health Sciences Department at CMU prepares students for hands‑on careers in healthcare through high‑quality, career‑focused programs. The department includes professional pathways such as Nursing, Radiologic Sciences, Surgical Technology, Emergency Medical Services, and Medical Laboratory Technology, all designed to build the skills needed to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care. Students learn through a combination of classroom instruction, fully equipped skills labs, high‑tech simulation, and real‑world clinical experiences in hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the region. This applied approach ensures graduates are confident, job‑ready, and prepared to serve diverse communities.
The Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences at CMU explores how the natural world works—at scales ranging from atoms and molecules to landscapes and ecosystems. The department brings together programs in chemistry, environmental sciences, geology, and physics, giving students a strong scientific foundation built on inquiry, problem‑solving, and hands‑on learning.
Social and behavioral sciences explore why people think, act, and interact the way they do—from individual decision‑making to the forces that shape communities and cultures. These disciplines help us understand human behavior, social systems, and the world we live in by blending scientific inquiry with real‑world application.