HERO Fund for higher education
The chance, the hope and the support to succeed!

The HERO fund was established in 2005 to support Higher Education Resources and Opportunities that included scholarship support for local high school graduates, adult learners and various special programs at Colorado Mountain College.  Such programs included the collaborative effort to establish the CMC Culinary Teaching Institute Kitchen and technology at the Edwards campus.

A group of committed Vail Valley residents, who comprise the HERO Scholarships Selection Committee, have helped raise more than $1,200,000 (in pledges, contributions and in-kind gifts) for CMC’s Edwards campus. So far, these funds have been distributed to almost 188 CMC student scholars since 2005.  Through the HERO program, CMC has provided scholarship support to students in Degree and Certificate Programs.  We are particularly proud that most of our HERO and Casner Scholars have completed a degree or certificate from CMC.  Many of these graduates have continued to 4-year institutions and have graduated with degrees.  

Through the HERO Fund we have created a very important partnership with the Vail Valley Foundation and the Casner Family.  Also, in 2005, the Casner Family established the Karri Casner Memorial scholarship, in memory of their daughter, to support Latinos in the Vail Valley, and the CMC HERO scholarship fund has matched their generous donation. 

This Edwards Campus scholarship program is held in high esteem with its strong focus on student success.  The HERO/Casner Scholarships Selection Committee works diligently to assess prospective recipients in the following manner:

• Application
• Academic results
• ACT and SAT test scores
• Financial need
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal interview with HERO committee

Further, throughout the year our students are closely monitored by student advisors, a HERO administrator and our committee, so that we may assist the students and ensure donors that their funds are allocated and used appropriately.

As the Edwards Campus grows, the existing campus will be expanded by the construction of a new addition, commencing in the summer of 2010.  With this growth comes an expanded need for scholarship monies.  CMC in Edwards currently serves more than 4,000 students annually and scholarships are an essential element.  In addition, while CMC does an exceptional job of reserving funds for capital expansion, there will be a capital campaign to augment those reserve funds.

With your support, we can ensure that all community members, including those who have the ability but not the financial resources, have access to an education.

For additional information about the giving opportunities below, please contact:
Lissa Tyler   HERO Committee 970-390-7493, ltyler@slifer.net

HERO Paver Brick ($250 contribution)

• Name or designation on a paver brick in our HERO Courtyard
• Name in printed material

Scholar Underwriter ($1,000-2,500/year)

• Named Scholar, e.g., John Smith Scholar
• Name or designation on a paver brick in our HERO courtyard
• Name in printed material

Building HERO ($10,000 and above)

• Naming opportunity for classrooms at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards

Scholarship brochure 2010-2011 CMC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP BROCHURE - please click here for PDF listing scholarships available, their criteria and application details.

Contact information

CMC Foundation scholarships are administered by Carol Efting. For information, call 970.947.8355, or email cefting@coloradomtn.edu. If you have questions, feel free to contact her.