Staff

Christopher A. Burnett, Ph.D., has spent more than 28 years helping college students discover that some of life's best classrooms don't have four walls. As Director of Outdoor Education at Colorado College, he leads programs that combine adventure, leadership, experiential learning, and just the right amount of dirt, snow, and whitewater to transform students into confident leaders.

Throughout his career at institutions including Colorado College, The University of Texas at Austin, Northern Arizona University, Texas State University, UC Davis, and Texas A&M University, Chris has built nationally recognized outdoor recreation, campus recreation, and student leadership programs. Whether launching civic engagement initiatives, rebuilding departments, teaching future leaders, or mentoring hundreds of student employees, his work centers on one simple belief: the most meaningful learning happens through experience.

Chris earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas at Austin, where his research focused on how campus employment, experiential learning, and student affairs prepare graduates for lifelong success. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and regularly presents his research at national conferences, exploring topics including student employability, leadership development, equity, and the transformative power of student employment.

When he's not writing, teaching, or leading strategic initiatives, you'll likely find Chris backpacking through the mountains, paddling whitewater, preparing exceptional meals for friends and family, or convincing students that carrying a heavy pack uphill or swimming a class IV rapid is somehow "character building." Fortunately, they're usually grateful by the end of the trip. Above all, Chris is passionate about helping students discover their strengths, build meaningful connections, serve their communities, and leave college with the confidence and skills to thrive wherever life takes them.

cburnett@coloradocollege.edu  
(719) 227-8131

Rachael Abler serves as the Associate Director of Outdoor Education at Colorado College, where she helps shape programs, services, and partnerships that foster student success, personal growth, and meaningful connections to the outdoors. Since joining the Outdoor Education team in 2015, she has helped expand the department's impact through innovative programming, cross-campus collaboration, and initiatives that make outdoor experiences more accessible and welcoming for all students.

Rachael believes the outdoors is a powerful catalyst for learning, personal growth, and connection. She is passionate about creating opportunities that build confidence, cultivate community, and inspire a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Her greatest joy is introducing students to their first outdoor experiences, watching them discover what they're capable of, and seeing that excitement inspire them to create those same opportunities for others.

Rachael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, with an emphasis in Outdoor Programming, from the University of Illinois. Before joining Colorado College, she coordinated the Outdoor Recreation Program at Colorado School of Mines and worked with several outdoor organizations throughout Colorado and Michigan.

Outside of work, Rachael is an avid adventure racer, inspired by the challenge of navigating rugged landscapes, adapting to the unexpected, and drawing on the collective strengths of her team to find the way forward. She believes adventure is one of life's greatest teachers, reminding us that growth rarely happens on familiar trails. Those lessons continue to guide her work with students, where she strives to create opportunities that challenge people, build confidence, and help them discover what they're capable of.  

rabler@coloradocollege.edu
(719) 389-6943