Aaron Garcia is a name many students at CSU Pueblo may never have heard of, but it is one they should get to know. Now into his fourth year as Head of Outdoor Pursuits (OP) at CSU Pueblo, Garcia’s journey with OP has been an interesting one.
“I actually started as a student here at CSU Pueblo. I chose CSU Pueblo because it was more affordable than larger universities and because I wanted to stay connected to Pueblo and make a meaningful impact in the local community. I worked for the OP program during my time here as a student so I experienced what OP does as a facilitator and taking people on trips, so I built my skills as a student.”, Garcia said.
The OP program provides opportunities for not just students, but faculty, staff and members of the wider Pueblo community. Activities this year have ranged from an on-campus campout to a multi-day trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park with regular events such as ‘OP in the Pool’ continuing its monthly slot in the calendar.
OP also offers equipment rental for all who require outdoor gear. Rental fees are $15 for students, $25 for faculty and staff, and $35 for members of the Pueblo community. Participants may also become OP co-op members for $40 per semester. Faculty, staff and alumni pay $60 per semester, while community members pay $80.
After graduating with a Recreation Management degree with a minor in Marketing, Garcia’s post graduation plans were unclear. However, things fell into the right place for the born and raised Puebloan. Garcia’s former boss, who directed the program at the time he graduated, moved to Missouri with his family leaving Garcia the opportunity to apply and land the position that he’s in today.
Kaitlin Davis, a long-time student supervisor, shares her experience with working with Garcia and OP. “Having Aaron “The Goat” Garcia as my boss has been one of the best work experiences for me. He is beyond talented in every single thing he does, which includes all our fun skills like climbing, snowboarding, and water crafts, as well as the soft skills like leadership, relatability, and the ability to make sound safety judgments,” Davis said.
“He is a servant leader, which makes it easy and desirable for me to work ambitiously and step into my own strengths as a leader. In fewer words, having Aaron as my boss has been a blessing,” Davis added.
Looking ahead, Garcia’s vision for OP remains bright.
“In five years, I hope to see the OP program operating without constant budget constraints and with the freedom to take students on new and more distant excursions and orientation experiences. I envision a program that is widely known rather than a “hidden gem,” with an expanded rock wall, updated gear inventory, more OP merchandise available to students, and more on-campus exposure/collaborations,” Garcia said.
“I’d love to see more on-campus events focused on outdoor recreation and wilderness education, and for the program to be recognized not only as a vital asset to the CSUP campus and mission, but also as a hub for the broader Pueblo community,” Garcia noted.
