CMU's Fish and Wildlife Club attended the Colorado-Wyoming American Fisheries Society annual meeting to network with professionals and explore career opportunities. The conference provided valuable hands-on learning beyond the classroom.
From March 3-5, Colorado Mesa University’s Fish and Wildlife Club attended the annual meeting of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in Laramie, Wyoming. The conference allowed students to network, learn and connect with other student chapters and industry professionals.
Maura Rumley (President), Kiera Stephen (Vice President), Sam Pitton (Committee Chair), Elijah Anderson (Committee Chair), Cam Nusbaum (Committee Chair), Toby Baltus and Beck Loesch were all in attendance, representing CMU’s club. In Laramie, the group learned more about their prospective professions and interacted with biologists including two CMU alumni, Kristina Morben and Carter Stephens.
The CMU Fish and Wildlife Club is a student subunit of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. The chapter supports CMU’s club by sponsoring hotel rooms for students, making annual donations and even establishing a scholarship endowment for the club.
“The CO-WY AFS conference has been a highlight of my spring semester the last two years. It provides an opportunity for students to network with other students and professionals from Colorado and Wyoming,” said Rumley, reflecting on her time as president and club member.
“I have also found it to provide great bonding opportunities to students within the Fish and Wildlife Club. Listening to presentations has broadened my knowledge regarding the research that I hope to go into in my future career.”
Colorado Mesa University continues to expand and grow opportunities for student involvement through its clubs and organizations. Experiences like the American Fisheries Society annual meeting allow students to build professional connections, explore career paths and gain valuable knowledge outside the classroom.
Through the university’s extensive list of student organizations, CMU students can find opportunities that align with their interests while developing leadership skills, lifelong friendships and professional experience. For members of the Fish and Wildlife Club, attending the annual conference demonstrated how involvement beyond the classroom can prepare students for successful careers in fisheries, wildlife and natural resource management.