Episode 9 with Daren Otten

Dr. Galizio speaks with Dr. Daren Otten, Superintendent/President at Copper Mountain Community College. Dr. Otten talks about the challenges and opportunities of leading a small rural college in California, what led him to his current role, and even how his triathlon and training supports his work. Born on the east coast, President Otten traveled westward with his family. His father pursued higher education as a student on the GI bill and his mother was an English teacher. Following several years in business and engineering in 2004 Dr. Otten started teaching at Chico State and that's when he realized how much he enjoyed supporting students. The Copper Mountain leader shares how a nonlinear path brought him into the community college structure in 2015 and eventually led him to Copper Mountain where the institution is celebrating their 20th anniversary.