Carley Dvorak

I am a Colorado native with a lineage of Coloradans spanning back several generations. I attended the University of Colorado, Boulder where I received a double major in Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies. After college I moved to Hawai’i with my partner where we dove deep into permaculture, off-grid sustainability, and living a sweet and slow life near the Ocean. We had our first child in the depths of the jungle on a stormy night, and we raised her picking fruit off trees in her front yard and with a deep appreciation of nature and the world around her. When she grew a bit older Collin and I started our first business together, Puna Family Fencing and Services where we helped the people of our community and were able to enjoy working outside and a flexible schedule. In early 2020 a family emergency brought us back to Louisville, CO where we ended up staying due to COVID and a second pregnancy. I rested and looked after my health while Collin remodeled the 1908 house of his childhood. Our son was born in the living room, and I began my second small business, My Happy Womb, a resource for quality locally sourced herbal tea blends to aid women in all phases of their lives. I still run a very small operation of this today! We enjoyed our time with our new baby close to family, and in July of 2022 we made the move up to Gunnison with our two kids, one cat, and two dogs. We have absolutely loved being in the Gunnison community, playing in the rivers and the forest and the mountains. Now, I hold the position as Administrative Assistant in the Rady building and I am focused on being with my children and having as much fun as possible while my partner pursues his masters.

How did you discover Western?

I first discovered Western on camping trips with my partner who attended Western for his undergrad. Every time we came to Gunnison we made sure to walk around the gorgeous campus while he reminisced on his college days. Fast forward 10 years, Collin was accepted into the Masters of Environmental Management program at Western and we found ourselves living in the wonderful small community of Gunnison. After a few months of integrating, I decided I wanted to pursue employment in the community, and this position opened up. From day one I have been blown away by the aliveness and genuine kindness that is a part of all the faculty and staff here at Western, it truly is a wonderful place to be!

What are some of the highlights of your career?

I have taken a non-traditional route post college. When I graduated I moved to Hawai’i and spent years studying permaculture and off-grid jungle sustainability while running a small farm. While there, my partner and I also created a successful small business, Puna Family Fencing and Services where we could serve the needs of the community as well as support our adventuring lifestyle. I started a second small business in 2021, My Happy Womb, where I grow/ sustainably source herbs for herbal tea remedies for women at all stages of their lives. I look forward to growing and wildcrafting herbs this summer here in the high elevation! Additionally, I have two small children and a highlight of my career so far has been being able to spend as much time as possible with them in their early developmental years.

What most excites you about your field?

I love organized, nicely flowing systems! I love working with people and having a collaborative and fun environment. I love working in the Rady school because I am exposed to math, computer science, and engineering which is new for me and I learn something new every day. And honestly, working at Western in general excites me because of the outstanding faculty, staff, and students that are here every day connecting and creating tangible solutions for our collective future.

What is your favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley?

The vast, expansive nature. Here, nature is a part of daily life. You do not have to journey far to be exposed to jaw dropping views and protected public lands. Everyone is welcome, and the constant exposure to nature and outdoor sports has a positive impact on the community that you can see and feel when you are here.