Spotlight | Top o' the World

In partnership with Gunnison Valley Health and TimelyCare, Western continues to confront mental health challenges head-on

by Top o the World Staff | Sep 17, 2023 | Spotlight

By Kira Córdova Western’s Counseling Center, located on the first floor of Crystal Hall Gunnison Valley Health’s (GVH) Behavioral Health Services, the force behind Western’s Counseling Center for more than a year, integrates free in-person counseling for...

On trail with Mr. Fab: A conversation with Derick Lugo on thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, the transformative power of the outdoors, and a new kind of storytelling

by Top o the World Staff | Sep 14, 2023 | Spotlight

By Kira Córdova Derick Lugo, also known by his trail name Mr. Fabulous (or simply Fab to those who know him personally), thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) back in 2012. His 2019 memoir, “The Unlikely Thru-Hiker”, chronicles that journey. I first...

Western’s new Vice President for Inclusivity Steven D Parker on historical exclusion in education, the transformative power of listening, and finding a shared path forward

by Top o the World Staff | Aug 20, 2023 | Spotlight

By Andrew Wayrynen Dr. Steven D Parker, Western’s new VP of inclusivity. To boil water, you need a heat source, water, and a pot capable of handling the heat. To shift the culture of a university to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, you need a...