Chris deKay, Superintendent of Ingacio School District, Board Chair

Christopher deKay is a lifelong resident of Ignacio Colorado.  He earned his Bachelor's degree in history from Ft. Lewis College in 1993 and his Master's degree in curriculum from Adams State University in 2003.  He has served in the Ignacio School District as a teacher (12 years), principal (12 years), and as Curriculum Director (1 yr).  He is currently in his 5th year serving as Ignacio's Superintendent of Schools.  Chris has been married for 22 years and has three children and one grandchild.

Dr. Karen Cheser, Superintendent of Durango 9-R, Board Member

Karen Cheser, Ed.D., is Superintendent of Durango School District 9-R in Durango, CO and was previously superintendent of award-winning Fort Thomas Independent Schools and Deputy Superintendent/ CAO of Boone County Schools, both in the Northern KY/ Cincinnati area.

Prior to working in education as a teacher, coach, literacy and math specialist, principal, state Distinguished Educator and district administrator, Karen worked for Procter & Gamble Inc. in sales management. Karen has been instrumental in bringing innovation, student agency, and a focus on future workforce to the regions in which she has worked.

Karen earned an Ed.D. (Educational Leadership and Business Informatics) from Northern KY University and has presented at numerous conferences on topics such as designing innovation, strategic planning, process improvement, student empowerment, global competency, 21st century skills, dispositional hiring and leading higher academic standards. Karen is mom to two college-aged sons, wife to an entrepreneur/ woodworker, loves to travel, and coaches robotics in her spare time.

Dr. Chiara Cannella, Interim Dean of School of Education, Fort Lewis College, Board Member

Chiara Cannella is a professor in the Teacher Education Department at Fort Lewis College. She has lived in SW Colorado since 2007 and joined FLC in 2009, where she teaches courses in equity, research methods, and linguistics for educators. She served as Associate Dean for the School of Education from 2019-2025 and is serving as the Interim Dean for the School of Education for the 2025-26 academic year.

Chiara’s regional engagement includes serving on the Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium (NNTEC), equity-focused and strategic planning groups for area school districts, and partnering with several school districts on professional development and consulting on supporting marginalized students. Chiara worked in in-school and out-of-school youth development before and during completing a Ph.D. in sociocultural studies of education at the University of Arizonan.

Gina Schulz, Parent Representative, Board Member

Gina Schulz has been an active member of the Southwest Community for 25 years. A resident of Ignacio, she is a mother and grandmother and was a licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent for at-risk adolescents from across the 4 Corners region.  She has been working with youth and families in and out of schools as an Advocate, Coach, Tutor, Teacher, Aide and Volunteer Coordinator since 1996. She has served on numerous local Boards, Advisory, Accountability and Policy Committees through the years always with the same end goal - empowering and engaging the community for success. She has applied her degree in Communication Studies in the business sector as a Marketing & Sales Manager as well as National & International Business Development in Finance.

When not involved in and supporting activities with her husband and children she enjoys reading, ministry and cuddling the family pets. One of her favorite quotes and guiding principles is from Aristotle, "Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort and intelligent execution."

J.J. Desrosiers, Industry Representative, Board Member

J.J. Desrosiers is a dedicated professional working at the intersection of economics, non-profits, and community development. He is an active Board Member of the First Southwest Community Fund and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, representing industry interests in the region.

Education has been a cornerstone of J.J.’s journey. In 2023, he graduated with honors from Fort Lewis College, earning dual majors in Economics and Business Analytics. His academic and professional achievements reflect a strong commitment to fostering economic growth and educational opportunities in Southwest Colorado. In his free time, he is also an Eagle Scout, Raft Guide, and Dance Instructor.

J.J.'s contributions to youth development are particularly noteworthy. He has been recognized numerous times for his exceptional work with young people, positively impacting the next generation’s lives. He has spoken extensively about strategies for achieving a debt-free college experience, and his published work includes an environmental impact study on creative parking solutions in an academic journal. His strategic insight and passion for education make him a valuable advocate for both students and industry within the Collaborative.

Joe Claunch, Tribal Representative, Board Member

Joseph Claunch is a member of the Puyallup Tribe in Tacoma, Washington and graduated with his Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology from University of Kansas, Master in Teaching and Learning from the University of Oregon, and Bachelors in American Indian Studies from Haskell Indian Nations University. Joseph’s research and career interest have focused on what educators can do to optimize the experiences Native American students have in school and sport. Since July 2024, Joseph has been the education director for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Prior to that, Joseph was the executive director of the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and the head football coach at Zuni High School in Western New Mexico.

Lisa Jacket , Tribal Representative, Board Member

I’m a member of Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and live on the reservation. I attended school in a rural area where most students are bussed 15 miles to Cortez, Colorado to attend public school, and it took me off to other avenues to seek my education. It felt important to embrace my heritage. I also attended other schooling - a boarding school in Oklahoma. My family strives for education as a main priority and to bring back knowledge and to use what we achieved in our degree to help people in all avenues to advocate for the Membership. 

I manage to utilize the skills I obtained in my education. I received my GED and kept going to receive my Associates in Business and managed to maintain my GPA at the Southwest Community College/ Pueblo Community College. I was inducted into PHi Theta Kappa.

I am currently a homemaker and share a home with my companion. I have 5 adult children and 7 grandchildren. I enjoy and teach the importance of education. 

I seek the opportunity of a position with the SWCEC board and be the voice and advocate for a strong voice for UMUT in education

Dr. K. Kevin Aten, Interim Campus Administrator, Pueblo Community College, Board Member

Kevin Aten is a lifelong resident of Southwest Colorado, and currently serving as the interim Campus Leader of Pueblo Community College Southwest.  Kevin is also teaching at Fort Lewis College and Minot State University in North Dakota with coursework centering on education, leadership, and data-driven instruction.  

He earned his Doctor of Education in Education Studies, Change, and Reform from the University of Northern Colorado. He has traveled all over Western America as an educational consultant helping districts and K-12 schools reach consensus to establish safe and welcoming environments for staff, students, and families. In his free time, he has been a youth sports official for over 40 years. He and his wife Betty, a retired 33-year National Board Certified high school English teacher, are the proud parents of two sons, William, 33, and Alexander, 31.

Joe Theine, MHCDS, MBA - CEO, Southwest Health System, Board Member