Discover the vibrant world of “Fusion” – An Art Exhibition by Melissa Strickler
May 8, 2024
No Comments
Read More »
Menu
Stay in touch with us to find out what’s happening on campus, with alumni, and in your campus community. Take a minute to tell us your story and share your experiences with upcoming students!
Judd Rogers
A.A.S. Geographic Information Science, 2017
As a multigenerational Wyoming native, Judd Rogers chose to attend CWC to pursue his Geographic Information Science (GIS) degree which allows him to combine his passion for living an active lifestyle and exploring the wilderness with his interest in mapping and outdoor education. He graduated from CWC in 2017.
At the age of 18, Judd embarked on his career with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). His career with NOLS led him to work in Chile at NOLS Patagonia, where fate led him to meet his beloved wife of 26 years. The couple had two children together. In 2010, Judd and his family returned to their current home in Lander, WY. “My heart belongs to the wilderness and I find solace in backpacking, mountain biking, and embarking on explorations of our beautiful planet,” he said. Judd later brought his family back to Lander, WY and worked as the Director of Alumni and Development at NOLS World Headquarters.
After working for NOLS for 33 years, Judd retired from the organization in 2024. He is now serving as the Executive Director of the Wyoming PBS Foundation. “I now have the privilege of leading initiatives that capture and share Wyoming’s diverse cultural heritage and stories on a global platform. From my beginnings as a mountaineering instructor to serving as the Director at NOLS Patagonia and NOLS Southwest, my experiences shaped my leadership skills and passion for outdoor education. Embracing this new chapter, I am dedicated to leveraging my expertise to support Wyoming PBS in its mission to showcase the essence of Wyoming to audiences statewide,” he stated.
CWC’s program in GIS has played an impactful role in Judd’s career. During his time at CWC, he was able to do coursework in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and the Patagonian Andes. He chose CWC because it offered an accessible education, tailored support, and created connections that played a significant role in his career trajectory. “CWC is not just a college; it’s a game-changer for Central Wyoming. As a proud alum, I can attest to the significant impact it has had on my life and career. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to make the most of their education. In my humble opinion, the value you get for your investment in CWC is unbeatable.”
Registered Dental Hygienist, Hilltop Dental, T. Shaun Sutherland DDS & Ruma Novotny DDS – Casper, WY
Alum Brandi Petersen chose to attend CWC due to its affordability, friendly atmosphere, and for its leading reputation in healthcare professions. Originally from Riverton, WY, Brandi grew up knowing that CWC was going to be the perfect fit to begin her dream of becoming a dental hygienist. “The classes were small and I was able to get one-on-one help from my professors. I loved my time at CWC,” she said.
Brandi graduated from CWC in 2017 with her Associate of Science in Health Science. She then transferred to Sheridan College to earn her Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene. In 2022, Brandi earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Wyoming. She credits CWC for helping her be prepared for the challenging upper-division coursework that she faced later in her educational endeavors. Brandi is a big advocate for community college. She believes that students who attend community college, especially CWC students, are taught the social skills that they need to advocate for themselves when they move on to four-year institutions and other programs. “CWC taught me that it was OK to ask for help. I had the confidence to carry on conversations with my professors in order to succeed.” She additionally emphasized that CWC was instrumental in helping her stay debt-free. “I didn’t have to take out loans, which was a huge help when I transferred to my other programs.”
Brandi has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2019. She is currently working in Casper, WY at Hilltop Dental and at T. Shaun Sutherland DDS & Ruma Novotny DDS. Brandi’s favorite part about being a dental hygienist is helping people maintain their oral health. She also loves her patients and enjoys meeting new patients every day. Brandi has a true passion for helping others.
In her free time, Brandi loves spending time with her fiancé and her family. She enjoys working out to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Brandi also has a passion for traveling and is always looking forward to her next beach vacation where she can relax and enjoy life.
American Indian Studies Instructor, Central Wyoming College – Riverton, WY
Eric Bennett, AA Social Science, 2017, is CWC’s American Indian Studies Instructor.
Graduating from UW with a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in social studies/history in 2020 and a Master of Arts in History in 2022, Eric also received the prestigious Willena Stanford Diversity Award.
Quality Director, Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceutical – Clearwater, FL
Ramesh Sedhain, AS Physical Science, 1994, came to CWC in 1992 as an international student from Nepal. During his time in CWC, he worked at CWC maintenance during the summer and received the Student of the Year award in 1993. After CWC, he attended Michigan Technological University and obtained a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1997. He has over 24 years of pharmaceutical/medical devices manufacturing experience in quality and engineering. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Business Administration and is expected to graduate by 2025.
Scholarship Counselor, University of Alabama
Caleb Hiatt, AA Outdoor Leadership, 2011 and Wilderness First Responder Certificate, 2010, attributes much of his success to the skills he gained while attending CWC. Caleb is currently a Scholarship Counselor at the University of Alabama and shared the following about his time at CWC.
Founder of Madison Holdings, Malawi, Africa
Desmond Bikoko, AA Accounting, 1997, attended CWC as an international student from 1994 to 1997 where Riverton, WY was his first entry point into the US. He became President for the International Student Club and was elected to the Student Senate body. After CWC, he obtained an Executive-MBA as well as MBA in Project Management; proceeded to earn a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Degree specializing in International Business from Northcentral University. Upon graduation, he founded his own company called Madison Holdings in Malawi. He is currently the Group President and CEO of his company.
Accounting Technician III, Central Wyoming College – Riverton, WY
Kathy (Clymore) Oerter, AAS Administrative Assistant, 2021, is the Accounting Technician in Accounts Receivable at CWC. A native-born Wyomingite raised in Cody, she moved to Riverton her freshman year of High School and graduated from Wyoming Connections Academy in 2012 and in Spring of 2020, she decided to continue her education by attending CWC.
Academic Director, University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources
Kami Jo (Barnes) Danaei, AA General Studies and AAS Business Office Systems, 2006, is the academic director at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources. Following her time at CWC, Kami earned her bachelor’s degree in communication (2008) from the University of Idaho. Her master’s degree in communication (2010) and doctoral degree in higher education administration (2018) are both from UW.
Equine Instructor, Central Wyoming College – Riverton, WY
Jessie Whitlock, BAS Organizational Management, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship, 2023. The Equine Instructor position Jessie holds has motivated and empowered her to share the knowledge she has learned from her mentors and to learn from her students and fellow employees to become the best instructor she can be.
Head Rodeo Coach, University of Wyoming – Laramie, Wyoming
Seth Glause, AA General Studies, 2008, a native of Rock Springs and graduate of Farson High School, attended CWC on a rodeo scholarship and had a successful college career, twice winning the all-around championship of the National Collegiate Rodeo Association’s Central Rocky Mountain Region.
Owner of Rockin’ K Riding Stable – Riverton, WY
Debbie Kister, AAS Horse Management, 2004, Teaching Riding Certificate, operates Rockin’ K Stables in Riverton, where she offers riding lessons, adventure rides, and horsemanship camps.
Wavefront Sensing and Controls Scientist – Longmont, Colorado
Dr. Scott Acton graduated from Riverton High School in 1979 and attended CWC during the 1979-1980 academic year, majoring in Physics. Scott transferred to the University of Wyoming for a semester, and then to Abilene Christian University, returning at one point to pick up a third semester at CWC because of affordability.
Parenting Coach – Arapahoe County, CO
Kido Clark-Riggs (AA Social Science, 1997) is originally from Botswana in Southern Africa. She first attended college at Molepolole College of Education in Botswana, Africa, and taught Middle School afterwards. Kido moved to the United States in January 1992, and settled in Riverton, Wyoming.
Project Specialist at the University of Wyoming – Laramie, Wyoming
Tiffany Bishop is a native of Shoshoni, Wyoming and is currently a Project Specialist at the University of Wyoming (UW) School of Energy Resources (SER). After earning an AS in Criminal Justice from CWC, Tiffany transferred to UW to earn her B.A. degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology in 2004. She worked as an office manager for several years before moving into the Technology Transfer Office at UW in 2015.
Nurse – Cheyenne, Wyoming
My time at Central Wyoming College was very valuable. I received a wonderful education. I was able to complete most of the prerequisites I needed for my bachelor’s degree at CWC while having the benefits of smaller class sizes and more accessibility to my professors.
Student – Laramie, Wyoming
Albert Mason (AS Science, 2000) recently returned to campus to do a presentation on his undergraduate research at the University of Wyoming (BS Biology, 2021). When asked about his experience at CWC, his additional education and future plans, Albert said: My time at Central Wyoming College prepared me for the rigorous workloads of a university.
Admissions Director – Riverton, Wyoming
Rachel Hofer came to Riverton and CWC after graduating from high school in Mountain View, Wyoming, and made the most of her time on campus. Prior to graduating in 2016 with four associates’ degrees (Television, Radio, Film, and Communication Studies), Rachel served as the Student Senate Treasurer and then President, a Student Ambassador, and a Resident Assistant – including one year as the head Resident Assistant.
Administration and Finance Officer for Akiptan, Inc. – Riverton, Wyoming
Carlton graduated from Central Wyoming College in 1997 with an Associates of Science in Accounting. He continued his higher education at the University of Wyoming having graduated in 1999 with his Bachelors of Science in Accounting.
Reclamation Specialist at Jonah Energy LLC – Pinedale, Wyoming
Joshua Sorenson, AS Biological Science – 2000, recently received a prestigious award from the American Society of Reclamation Scientists. Employed by Jonah Energy, LLC, Joshua was named Reclamationist of the Year for 2021 and is the first award recipient from the oil and gas industry in the 37-year history of the award.
Owner Morales Photo & Film – Cody, Wyoming
Erendira “Abbey” Morales always enjoyed holding a camera and it was while working on a television show in high school that jump-started her passion for photography and film. Morales’ passion eventually led her to Central Wyoming College which ultimately gave her the skills to open her own business.
Petroleum Engineer for the Bureau of Land Management – North Dakota
Caitlin Heryford started taking engineering classes at Central Wyoming College because she was looking for a challenging career that would allow her to make a difference. Today, Heryford is a petroleum engineer for the Bureau of Land Management and is grateful for the opportunity the college gave her to hone multiple interests.
Chief Executive Officer at Northwest OB-GYN – Spokane, Washington
Central Wyoming College’s nursing program allowed Mitch Long to jumpstart his career as a registered nurse (RN). After rising to the level of Chief Executive Officer at Northwest OB-GYN in Spokane, Washington, Long said his early career experiences still inform his administrative practices and he looks back on his time at CWC with gratitude.
2660 Peck Avenue
Riverton, WY 82501
(307) 855 – 2000
Campus Map
120 Enterprise Blvd.
Lander, WY 82520
(307) 332 – 3394
Campus Map
240 S. Glenwood St #124
P.O. Box 4795
Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 733 – 7425
Campus Map
302 W. Ramshorn
P.O. Box 175
Dubois, WY 82513
(307) 455 – 2625
Campus Map
