Mark Izold

Mark Izold earned his BS and MS in Geological Sciences from SES in 1989 and 1993, respectively, under Dr. Stig Bergström. Mark is now a Professor of Geology at Pikes Peak Community College.

Contact: Mark.Izold@ppcc.edu

"Start building a network as soon as possible, and work with your Professors to determine your career options."

Where has your degree taken you?

  • Science Lab Technician at Rio Salado College 1994 to 2000 (Phoenix, AZ)
  • Adjunct Faculty for Maricopa County Community Colleges 1994 to 2000 (Rio Salado College, South Mountain Community College, and Mesa Community College, Phoenix, AZ)
  • CTC Geotek 2000 to 2001 (Denver, Colorado)
  • Advanced Monitoring Devices 2000 to 2001 (Littleton, Colorado)
  • Pikes Peak Community College, Full time Professor of Geology, 2001 to 2018 (current)

How do you feel your experience, specifically as an SES/geology student at OSU, prepared you for your career or life in general?

  • Well rounded curriculum in Geology, exposure to a variety of topics in Geology 
  • Outstanding Faculty
  • Geology field trip experiences
  • Great lab facilities

What is your favorite memory as a student?

  • Geology Field Camp of 1988
  • Dr. Terry Wilson, Structural Geology Class
  • Office Staff of Menden Hall and Orton Hall
  • Laboratory Facilities at Orton Hall and Menden Hall
  • My mentor – Dr. Stig Bergström
  • Other Faculty – Dr. William Ausich, Dr. Lawrence Krissek, Dr. James Collinson, Dr. Gunther Faure.
  • Working with Dale Gnidovec in the Orton Geology Museum
  • Manitoulin Island Geology Field Trip to examine rocky shore facies
  • Study in the Orton Library
  • Sense of a “Geology community” with fellow students.  Geology Club and the “Ox roast.” 
  • I will always remember Dr. William Ausich’s advice, “get out into the field as much as possible.”

What advice do you have for current and future students?

Start building a network as soon as possible, and work with your Professors to determine your career options.