This fall brought more than just a name change for Colorado Mesa University. A new year brings new students, facilities and staff. Among the new staff is Greg Mikolai, who has worked as a producer for the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Station for 12 years.

Talks of having Rocky Mountain PBS move their facilities to the CMU campus have been going on for years. With the continued growth of college students at CMU and the desire to offer students opportunities to get involved, CMU and   PBS saw a unique opportunity.

The remodeling of the Fine Arts building saw not only new computers and new classrooms, but also a new broadcast station from which PBS can broadcast directly to communities ranging from the Western Slope to Denver.
“It’s a real upgrade for our capabilities,” said Mass Communication Associate Professor Daniel Flenniken. “At the same time, it is a chance for students to get involved and to actually broadcast on a regular basis, and to intern without having to commute.”
Twenty years ago, Greg Mikolai moved from Wells, Minn. to the Grand Valley. He worked as a technical writer for local affiliates until he became a production coordinator for KRMJ TV.
Recently, Mikolai won two Emmys for his work as program editor and program photographer for a documentary about the Colorado National Monument entitled “Colorado National Monument: Celebrating 100 Years of John Otto’s Dream.”
“Producing the documentary was probably the most gratifying project I’ve ever worked on,” Mikolai said. “There’s a very rich and wonderful history involved with the Colorado National Monument and the people who have made it what it is today.”
Mikolai’s ties with CMU extend beyond his new position as a professor. Twelve years ago, Flenniken hired him as the program coordinator for KRMJ TV with Rocky Mountain PBS. Mass Communication Professor Eric Sandstrom worked with Mikolai and his crew for the documentary of the Colorado National Monument.
“Eric Sandstrom, along with too many other people to name, was very instrumental in the process of creating the documentary,” Mikolai said. “He was the one who took us up to the petroglyphs. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
In addition to his work as a producer for Rocky Mountain PBS, Mikloai is assuming the role of a mass communication instructor. He currently teaches a class on Digital Editing and another in Video Production.
Mikolai also is a member of the school board for School District 51. Two years ago, he was elected to represent the Palisade district, where his two sons attend school.
“It’s clear with how much he’s invested into School District 51, and that he’s really committed to education,” Flenniken said.
Mikolai said he has many ideas for documentaries down the road.
“We’re in the early stages of this partnership, and there’s many ways that we’re going to try to integrate students into PBS activities,” Mikolai said. “The goal is to have students work on [documentaries], and to get them involved. Not just for the experience, but for the exposure. Having your name attached to a PBS documentary stands out on the resume.”
Mikolai’s background in TV and technical writing will benefit students as they work with the new equipment and technology that comes with PBS setting up shop on the CMU campus.
“His professional expertise in our program adds real assets and resources for our students,” Flenniken said.

cmfoster@mavs.coloradomesa.edu