CMU co-hosted Mesa County Valley School District 51's annual Strong Schools, Strong Community Luncheon, underscoring the importance of partnerships in our community
Colorado Mesa University was proud to co-host this year's Strong Schools, Strong Community Luncheon alongside Mesa County Valley School District 51. This annual District 51 event highlights the state of our school district and showcases how local partnerships are creating new opportunities for students across the Western Slope. Held on the CMU campus, the luncheon brought together educators, community partners, and Western Slope leaders to celebrate the shared progress and growing pathways made possible through the collaboration between District 51, CMU, and CMU Tech.
The event kicked off with an exciting, collaborative performance between the four local high school bands, including Fruita Monument High School, Palisade High School, Central High School and Grand Junction High School marching bands, which crescendoed with a final performance of CMU's fight song performed by the Mesa Brass Band. Professor of Music and Director of Bands Jonathan Hinkle, PhD, shared that the power of partnerships is reflected in a shared love for music, and emphasized that many of the local high school band leadership is made up of CMU alumni.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill opened the event with district updates, emphasizing how the partnership with CMU continues to strengthen academic and career opportunities for students throughout Mesa County. Over the past year, this collaboration has had a measurable impact. More than 1,200 District 51 students have earned over 12,000 college credits through CMU and CMU Tech, all of which are fully paid for by District 51. These opportunities save families thousands of dollars in tuition while giving students a head start on their higher education goals.
After remarks from Superintendent Dr. Hill and CMU President John Marshall, the two were joined on stage by current D51 high school students and CMU and CMU Tech students, who shared how the partnership helped them build confidence, explore career interests and transition more smoothly to college thanks to the resources and people from both organizations.
From Fruita Monument High School, Dana Conklin shared that her time as a concurrent enrollment student helped her find her calling in nursing. Central High School senior Jaime Padilla emphasized that juggling three sports as a high school student comes as no small task, but the support from his teachers and school staff helps him succeed. Jaren Street, Fruita Monument High School graduate and CMU Construction Management student, didn’t think that college was in his future. But after mentorship from his high school football coach, he learned there are more paths than the traditional route at CMU, resulting in early access to a career in his degree field following graduation. Dermot Lynch, a current CMU Freshman and Grand Junction High School graduate, shared that his piece of advice to students considering higher education is to ask for help. There are people in the district and at CMU who can help students find their path and be successful; all you have to do is ask.
Each of the four student stories underscored the luncheon theme — that strong schools build strong communities.
Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall praised the collaboration, noting that partnerships like this not only benefit students but also strengthen the region’s workforce and economic future. “When our schools, families, and universities work together, everyone wins,” Marshall said. “We’re investing in our young people — and in the long-term vitality of western Colorado.”
Looking ahead, District 51 and CMU will continue to expand access to college-level coursework and career exploration, including the CMU Promise for families earning $70,000 or less. As CMU celebrates its 100th anniversary, the university is also raising $10 million for the Century Scholarship to further support Mesa County students who need financial assistance for college. The event closed with a message of gratitude and optimism, reaffirming the shared commitment to educational excellence and community growth. The Strong Schools, Strong Community luncheon reflects the power of local collaboration — ensuring that Mesa County’s students have the tools, resources, and support to succeed at every stage of their learning journey.