Blogs

Join Trainer Vanacker, Belgian native and Boulder, CO cycling coach for a 5 night / 6 day cycling retreat on Flanders’ roads.

You will tour the most magnificent areas of Flanders with a local while enjoying the genuine cuisine and treats.  During your vacation, you will stay in quaint high quality hotels to unwind.

More information, details and pricing here: Cycling Retreat Belgium 2014

Who is this for?  

A recreational or competitive cyclist who wants to experience the cycling culture, beauty and unique experience of biking in Belgium.  All while enjoying the cuisine, architecture and culture of this country.  You will have plenty of time available to explore on your own as well as doing group activities.

How fast are we going?

Depending on the route, we will be going 12-16 miles/hour.  When there are many hills, of course the speed will go down.  We will always stay in group (focus is on small groups) and wait for each other.  We are not racing, we want to enjoy the experience together.  This program is not for the unexperienced as you will put in a reasonable amount of miles but absolutely also not for professional riders only.  We will maintain a steady medium pace which works for all.  As you are being guided by an experienced rider and coach, you will be in good hands.

WE WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLIMENTARY TRAINING PLAN TO PREPARE YOU FOR THIS UNFORGETTABLE TRIP!

More info on http://trainervanacker.com/2014/01/13/belgium-road-cycling-retreat-august-2014/

Contact me at Sander@TrainerVanacker.com

Women's Wilderness is excited to announce the newest member of our team: Program Director Suza Bedient.

Suza's roots tap deeply into wild places; Australia, new Zealand, Baja California, and the Himalaya are landscapes that know her well.

Her skills in engaging earth energies began as a child exploring the Appalachian Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay. As an adult she broadened her explorations, including becoming a senior field instructor for the National Outdoor leadership Schools (NOLS) with over 300 weeks in wild places. She is excited to get to know our community and "join with a wonderful team of wild women."

You can read more of Suza's bio on our website. Welcome, Suza, to the Women's Wilderness Family!

Colorado State University-Global Campus (CSUGlobal.edu) today announced that it has implemented an innovative practice to help students better understand the out-of-pocket cost of their education and ensure that they have the funds they need to complete their degrees. New students who use Federal financial aid will now receive greater insight into their borrowing history and have access to Tuition Planners available to provide counseling, guidance and support.

Student loan debt in the United States recently surpassed $1 trillion and as an institution with a mission to help adults complete bachelor’s degrees and earn master’s degrees, CSU-Global has seen many of its recently admitted students bring significant loan debt accrued while attending other institutions. To help inform students of their loan obligations beyond Federal loan best practices and requirements, CSU-Global has notified current students of their borrowing associated with Federal loan limits. 

Additionally, all new students who have been accepted for enrollment into CSU-Global and who use Federal financial aid, are being provided a statement which reflects their borrowing to-date and the additional funds that they will need to complete their degrees at CSU-Global. Before taking their first course with CSU-Global, new students who are close to their Federal loan limit receive special counseling that integrates their degree plan needs, less expensive credit alternatives than CSU-Global standard course credit, and information on their loan limit status.

“CSU-Global is focused on adult degree completion as a pathway to workplace success.  In the area of bachelor’s degrees, we embrace nontraditional transfer students who might not otherwise be able to optimize their previous course work and complete their degrees as they are able to at CSU-Global,” stated Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker, President of CSU-Global Campus. “Bachelor’s degree transfer students, and some master’s degree students, bring to us their various credits and their Federal loan history which has accumulated over the years to be at or close to their loan limits. We want to help both our current students and those now seeking enrollment at the university to more proactively manage what remains of their Federal loan funds.”

As part of its role as a public non-profit institution, CSU-Global believes that it is has the responsibility to provide transparency in all of its processes and to provide direct and clear communication to its students.  The university conducted a review of all of its students to understand their varying paths to successful degree completion and has reached out to those that appear to have insufficient funds for basic tuition and book costs for remaining credit hours.  

“CSU-Global is committed to student success in achieving degree completion. Our Tuition Planners will assist students in understanding their financial loan status and provide information on other financial resources or alternative ways to complete their degrees in a financially responsible way,” concluded Ms. Pamela Toney, Senior Director of Financial Services.

Define Defense is expanding! We will be adding kettle bell classes to our program soon and are also looking for an individual or company who wants to run Yoga or Pilates classes independently in our premium facility in Downtown Boulder!

Our studio has 1,040 square feet of mats, has a speaker system and has a wall of mirrors. It is a great spot for Yoga or Pilates classes so we are looking for someone who wants to run their own program in our facility. This person will be solely responsible for their program and will be able to run their own classes during their own times.

If you are interested or know of someone who might be, let us know at Info@DefineDefense.com !

More info here: http://www.definedefense.com/Boulder/blog_files/Yoga-Studio-Opportunity.html

Define Defense now offers 4 week self defense courses on Fridays from 5-6pm. In these 4 classes, we go over:

- Self defense on the floor against a standing attacker
- Self defense against sexual assault
- Self defense against grabs, chokes and other forceful attacks
- Effective striking
- How to avoid dangerous situations
- How to maximize your chances of escape
- How to use pepper sprays (and other defense sprays)
- Vital points, body language and other proven methods to get yourself into safety

The next self defense course will take place on these dates:
October 26th
November 2nd
November 9th
November 16th
Every attendee will receive an information packet. If you cannot attend all 4 consecutive classes, you can use your remaining class(es) during the next course dates.

The price for the full program is only $75.
If you want to reserve a spot, please send us a message or register here. Spots are limited!

This program combines all of the most effective and realistic ways to defend yourself against any dangers that may occur. We focus on prevention as well as protecting yourself and others. In this course, you will learn how to deal with a crisis situation, mentally as well as physically. Everything we teach is relevant to real situations and applies more realistic training methods for improved results. 

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, has named Zhanna Stavina as the school’s new Director of Admissions.

In her role, Stavina will lead a team of admissions associates who serve as liaisons for potential and incoming students. She will also make and maintain connections with students, organizations, guidance counselors, military liaisons and others who may benefit from an Ecotech education or partnership.

Ms. Stavina has recently served as both a director of enrollment and an instructor at the University of Phoenix in Lone Tree, Colorado. She simultaneously taught in the School of Business and Social Sciences while successfully leading a team of admissions professionals. Before joining Ecotech, she also worked as an enrollment manager and enrollment counselor, receiving accolades as a top performer. She has also worked in career services and admissions at Denver School of Massage Therapy and ITT Technical Institute.

“Zhanna’s experience and expertise is perfect for Ecotech and she’s someone who exudes enthusiasm about what we deliver to students, employers, partners and the community,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “We are delighted to have her on board and look forward to Zhanna representing our school and executive team.”

Stavina received her Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Colorado.  

“It is an honor be in a position where I can share Ecotech Institute with people who could benefit from its unique offerings,” said Stavina. “In a short time, Ecotech has proven to offer quality education, a strong community and graduates who are making a difference. I am proud to be part of the Ecotech family.”

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers six highly practical renewable energy degree programs created with employer input that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.  The next round of classes begins in October and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. 

Spring is the time of year when high school students are gearing up to make decisions about the future, weighing their options for education, careers and personal growth. Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on renewable energy and sustainability, recently hosted more than 200 high school visitors and invites all guidance and career counselors, educators, high school students and families to come take a specialized tour. During the visit, participants can see the brand new LEED-certified campus, step foot into state-of-the-art labs, and deepen their knowledge about careers in the renewable energy sector.

“We are thrilled when young adults come to discover more about the promising future of green careers and the comprehensive education that Ecotech offers,” said Kolby Chase, Ecotech Institute’s director of admissions. “Young folks who want to help sustain our planet and are looking to walk the talk really enjoy learning about areas such as wind, solar and energy efficiency.”

Ecotech’s curriculum addresses both job-specific technical training and soft skills (e.g. communication and work ethic) through comprehensive coursework and lab time. The campus has seven computer labs, nine clean energy labs and 11 lecture classrooms, including labs that focus on electricity, electronics, solar, wind and safety, as well as one outdoor solar residence lab. All labs offer progressive equipment to facilitate practical learning of basic and advanced electronics, the fundamentals and applications of wind and solar power generation and safety skills.  Electricity, electronics, power, solar and hydraulics labs contain Lab-Volt® systems.

A campus tour of Ecotech can be as formal or informal as necessary, depending on a group’s needs. To set up a visit of any size, call Kolby Chase at 877-326-5576.

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012. Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com/or call 877-326-5576.  The next round of classes begins in April and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, today announced a growing suite of services focused on student life and success.  With students coming from all walks of life across the country, Ecotech’s administration is committed to extending assistance beyond the classroom.  Ecotech’s Student Services department, Career Services department and mentorship program all serve as examples of the school’s focus on fostering an engaging, well rounded experience.

As part of that initiative, Ecotech recently named Kim Stromire as Manager of Student Services. Kim and her team help students in all aspects of settling in, from the enrollment and orientation process to relocation plans for out-of-state students.  Under her direction, Ecotech provides students with local and community resources, including housing information, part-time job opportunities and more.  In addition, Student Services implements student activities and clubs; supervises the Military Strategy Committee and the Political Action Committee; provides campus communication tools; and offers tutoring assistance and advisement.

Under the Student Services umbrella, Ecotech also offers a unique mentorship program for students.  The program, MORE (Mentoring Others Results in Excellence), is open to all first-term Ecotech students to help them acclimate into a new school – and, for many, a new city.  Since more experienced students have expertise and knowledge about Ecotech, course material and the Denver Metro area, students are matched up to get the “inside scoop.”

During students’ tenure at Ecotech, they will also become acquainted with Susan Pawlak, who Ecotech recently named as its Director of Career Services.  Susan is committed to matching students with renewable energy careers that fit their skills and personal assets.  She is well connected with sustainable companies nationally and locally and ensures that Ecotech students are in front of hiring managers in their respective fields.

“A school is just a building without its students.  We are focused on producing graduates who are fulfilled from an educational experience that meet all of their needs,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute.  “We have built a team that truly cares about every person in our diverse student body.”

To help with relocation, Ecotech has also created a relocation guide that details information about Aurora and the Denver Metro area.  That guide can be found at http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/ecotech-location.cfm.

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012.  Ecotech, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, launched in Aurora, Colorado in April 2010 with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

Coda Coffee, a Denver-based specialty coffee roaster and sustainable wholesaler, today announced its Farm2Cup program.  The program aims to continuously improve Coda’s coffee quality and positively impact farming communities around the world.  Through the Farm2Cup program, Coda Coffee invests money and works directly with coffee farmers, who then reinvest in their coffee and community.  Coda expects Farm2Cup participants to use the funds they receive for research, development, experimentation, best practice sharing and sometimes inner-village or cross-community competitions to improve coffee quality.  The program also requires farmers to give back to their local community.

Coda Coffee informally implemented the program as a business practice about two years ago, but is now formalizing the program, launching www.farm2cup.org and labeling the coffee bags for customers and partners.

“By simply drinking Farm2Cup coffee, you know you’re enjoying a product that supports people around the world,” said Tim Thwaites, Coda Coffee co-founder.  “In addition, the coffee exceeds taste and quality expectations because of best practice sharing and the traceability of the coffee from farm to cup.” 

Farm2Cup can drastically impact the livelihood of the farmer’s family, employees and even an entire village.  Coda Coffee works with farmers around the world, in countries such as Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil and Honduras.  Some examples of how Farm2Cup funds have helped farmers and communities include:

• El Salvador: Coda Coffee held fundraisers for a school in Ayutepeque, which funded a new kitchen, utensils, desks and chairs for the children. Additionally, the community is working on plans for a school library.
  
  
• Guatemala: In Guatemala, Coda purchases high quality micro lots of coffee to encourage overall product improvement.   The community has also held cupping competitions, where the local coffee farmers come together to have their coffee graded.  The premium that Coda Coffee pays for the best coffee has helped build a road to A’Achimbal, a school, church, community center and 80 homes with electricity and running water.

• Las Capucas, Honduras: Cupping competitions in Honduras also helped improve coffee quality, which increased the coffee’s price and allowed one community to build cupping labs, a wet mill and a dry mill.

Coda Coffee performs site visits and its importer, Atlas Coffee Importer, assists with annual quality control checks.  The trips are to make sure that farmers are spending time and money on improving their products and communities, which allows them to stay in the Farm2Cup program.

“There is a great story behind every cup of Farm2Cup coffee,” added Tommy Thwaites, Coda Coffee co-founder.  “This program helps personalize those stories and makes a global purchase feel local.  A better quality of life for our farmers actually does make a better cup of coffee for our customers.”

To learn more about the program, visit www.farm2cup.org.  To find Farm2Cup coffee, look for the Farm2Cup logo at coffee shops.  Farm2Cup products are available where Coda Coffee is sold.  To find a retail location near you that serves Coda Coffee, visit www.codacoffee.com.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, today announced that it has created MORE (Mentoring Others Results in Excellence), a mentorship program to help incoming students.  Now that Ecotech has students entering into their third and fourth terms, many of these more experienced students have great expertise and knowledge about Ecotech, the course material and the Denver Metro area.  These qualities are great attributes to help acclimate first-term students with their surroundings.

“Many of our students are not only studying subject matter that they are unfamiliar with, but they are also taking classes in a new building and may even be living in an entirely new city or state,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute.  “Now that we have students who have walked our halls many times and are familiar with the Denver Metro area and Ecotech’s course material, we want to embrace the leadership skills of these students and give them the chance to share their knowledge and serve as a resource for our new students.”

The mentorship program is open to all first-term Ecotech students, but to qualify to become a mentor the students must meet several criteria including:

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Have completed a minimum of two terms at Ecotech.
• Make time to meet with his or her “buddy” student at least one time each week throughout the term.
• Willingness to develop study groups and help with tutoring.

Right now Ecotech has seven student mentors signed up for the program.  One of those students, who actually brought up the idea for a mentorship program,  is Michael Streight. Streight is serving his 22nd year in the Navy, but he sees his military career coming to an end since the aircraft system he works with is being phased out.  With one career on its last legs, Streight says he wants a future career that has growing potential.  Streight is now working full-time, while going to school four nights a week.  With dozens of new students starting at Ecotech each term, Streight started thinking about the mentor program the Navy uses and wondered how Ecotech could implement a similar program.  That idea helped lead to Ecotech’s mentorship program today.

“It’s a great program because as mentors we’ve been in their shoes,” said Streight.  “We’ve had their classes and had the different instructors.  We can also offer our opinions on non-school subjects such as the best areas to live and ideas for things to do on the weekends.”

With 25 percent of Ecotech’s students relocating to Colorado to attend school, this program helps students instantly have a buddy when they move.

“We have students from as far away as Florida and Maryland coming to Ecotech so it’s important those students especially feel connected, since their friends and family may be thousands of miles from their new home,” said Seifert.

To help with relocation, Ecotech has also created a relocation guide that details information about Aurora and the Denver Metro area.  That guide can be found at http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/ecotech-location.cfm.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, launched in Aurora, Colorado in April 2010 with seven highly practical degree programs and one certificate program that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com. The next round of classes begins this fall and applications are being accepted now.  Financial assistance is available.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, today announced that it has hired Kolby Chase as the school’s Director of Admissions.  In this position, Kolby will lead a team of highly skilled admissions counselors who serve as liaisons for incoming students.  As part of his role, Kolby will make and maintain connections with prospective students, organizations, guidance counselors, military liaisons and others who may benefit from an Ecotech education or partnership.

“We chose Kolby because of his impressive higher education experience and passion to help match students with the right career path,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute.  “Kolby is responsible for leading and shaping a dynamic team that helps prospective students realize their potential and the long-term success that’s possible in a renewable energy career.”

Kolby previously served as Director of Enrollment for the University of Phoenix, where he started in 2002 as an Enrollment Counselor and became Director of Enrollment in 2007.  During his tenure with the organization, he won many awards for his leadership, performance and visionary insights. 

“In a little more than a year Ecotech already has close to 400 students, showing there is a clear need for a school completely focused on sustainability and renewable energy education,” said Chase.  “I am excited to spread the word about Ecotech, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn about the quality education and phenomenal hands-on experience that we offer our students.”

A fourth-generation Phoenician, Kolby recently moved to Colorado with his wife and two children.

Ecotech Institute will have its first graduating class in June 2012.  Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers seven highly practical sustainability degree programs including electrical engineering technology, energy efficiency, environmental technology, renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy, environmental paralegal, and one certificate program in sustainable interior design that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online or call us at 1-877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in January 2012 and applications are being accepted now.  Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.