Stay informed and engaged with the latest HR updates, including: 

Don't miss out on essential resources, events, and opportunities! 

Photo provided by Debi O'Connor

Last month, two members of our HR team had the honor of presenting at the 2025 CUPA-HR Annual Conference in Denver, a premier event for higher education HR professionals. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, this conference provides a vital space for HR leaders to share insights, explore innovative strategies, and support one another in facing emerging challenges. Cameron Martin, Director of Total Rewards, participated in a panel discussion with TIAA titled “Retirement on Your Own Terms,” offering valuable perspectives on flexible retirement planning. Debi O’Connor, Director of Employee Relations and Support, joined Ty Nagamatsu, CC Ombuds, to present “Rebuilding Positive Employee Relations with Restorative Tools,” focusing on fostering healthier workplace dynamics. Both sessions were well attended and received positive feedback. Congratulations to Cameron, Debi, and Ty for representing our institution and making meaningful contributions to the national dialogue on HR in higher education.

We’re thrilled to continue meaningful discussions through our Performance Conversations. These conversations provide an opportunity to celebrate what is going well, identify areas that may require extra attention, and make adjustments to stay on track. The next cycle opens on Monday, Dec. 8, and closes on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. While conversations begin before Winter Break and end after, employees who receive the full break off are not expected to work during that time—we encourage you to take that time to rest and recharge. 

Training to Support You  

To ensure everyone feels confident and prepared for these conversations, we will be offering in-person training sessions. We highly recommend attending a session. 

For employees who do not supervise other employees: 

For managers who have direct reports:

We remain committed to making this process meaningful and manageable for all. Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration. 

If you have any further questions, reach out directly to HR. 

We’ve heard feedback that our benefits website can be hard to navigate. HR is in the early stages of refreshing our site, with the goal of making information more accessible and easier to find. As a first step in the process, we have redesigned our benefits guide and posted it on our website. CC is proud to offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support your well-being and help you care for what matters most. Please review the updated benefits guide and let us know what you think! 

New features are available to make managing your voluntary retirement contributions easier: 

What’s New 

Why It Matters  
Take control of your retirement planning with flexible, easy-to-use tools. 

Need Help? 

For account access or changes: 

Photos provided by Debi O'Connor

Our Fall CC Connect event was a great success, with a strong turnout of new employees eager to engage and connect with the broader CC community. This interactive event offers new hires the opportunity to meet college leadership—including every member of the Cabinet who attended this fall—and participate in a fun, fast-paced “speed meeting” activity designed to build connections across departments. A highlight of the event was the Resource Fair held at Robson, where departments from across campus generously shared their time, resources, and CC swag to warmly welcome our newest members. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and involvement of our campus partners. Feedback continues to affirm the impact of events like CC Connect, along with initiatives such as the Ambassador Program and HR's onboarding process, in making new employees feel genuinely valued and part of the CC community from day one.

Join us in welcoming Ali LaForce, our new Talent Development Specialist! Ali plays a vital role in supporting employee growth and development across the organization. She works closely with HR leadership and stakeholders to design and deliver professional development programming, including Excel at CC and other specialized training initiatives. Ali also provides guidance to employees, supervisors, and managers on developmental opportunities and supports performance evaluation processes. 

Photo provided by Ali LaForce

Born and raised in Colorado, Ali brings over a decade of experience in creating and implementing impactful training programs. Her background spans higher education, human services, and banking. She holds a BA from CSU Pueblo and an MA from CSU Fort Collins. Outside of work, Ali enjoys exploring the arts and finding creative inspiration in her community.

We’re excited to welcome Blayne Rylander to CC! Originally from Arizona, Blayne brings several years of experience in full-cycle recruiting across higher education and corporate environments. Her expertise includes high-volume hiring, technical recruitment, and talent acquisition leadership.

Photo provided by Blayne Rylander

In her role, Blayne partners with HR leadership and hiring managers to source, attract, and onboard top talent, ensuring recruitment strategies align with the College’s mission and ADEI commitment. She also supports initiatives that strengthen CC’s employer brand and engage prospective employees. 

Blayne earned her BAS from CSU and her MBA from Grand Canyon University. She is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), a designation that reflects her dedication to ethical and effective HR practices. Outside of work, Blayne enjoys exploring Colorado, spending time with family, and discovering new restaurants and activities.

Please extend a warm welcome to Kyle Johnson! Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Kyle joins CC from the City of Colorado Springs, where he served as a Human Resources Generalist. He has over half a decade of experience in Human Resources within the non-profit sector, specializing in compensation and benefits. Kyle holds a BS in Human Resources Management and several professional HR certifications, including the SPHR.

Photo provided by Kyle Johnson

In his role at CC, Kyle is dedicated to promoting equity and transparency in compensation and benefits practices. He works closely with HR leadership and campus partners to ensure that fair, consistent, and competitive programs are in place that support the College’s mission and values. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the outdoors.

Visit the HR Updates page to check out past editions of People Connections, along with recent updates from HR.

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903