About Us
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at Colorado School of Mines is:
To discover and disseminate knowledge for society through compelling research, excellence in teaching and engaging outreach by creating a welcoming and vibrant community that cultivates critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and integrity.
Vision Statement
Our departmental vision is:
To contribute to discovery, understanding and education in geoscience to intelligently engineer Earth’s resources.
We have established the following basic aspirational and demonstrated values:
Experience: We deliver a unique educational experience in the classroom, laboratory and the field.
Discovery: We encourage creativity and celebrate insights in research.
Excellence: We expect rigor and diligence in our work, honesty and accountability in our actions, and we embrace professional growth.
Compassion: We treat others with respect, seek out diverse thought and support each other’s willingness to take risks.
Enthusiasm: We foster a positive friendly atmosphere, and lead with optimism.
Teamwork: We work together and collaborate to achieve results that we cannot accomplish individually.
Geology and Geological Engineering Newsletters
Geology and Geological Engineering Student Organizations

AAPG
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
President
Mitch Wolfe
william_wolfe@mines.edu
Vice President
Lauren Bettinger
lauren_bettinger@mines.edu
Treasurer
Ceyhan Sahinkaya Akyol
ceyhan_sahinkaya@mines.edu
Secretary
Isabel Hopkins
isabel_hopkins@mines.edu
Advisor
Steve Sonnenberg

AEG
Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
President
Lauren Guido
laurenmiller@mines.edu
Logistics Officer
Hayden Jacobson
jacobson@mines.edu
Advisor
Paul Santi

SEG
The Department at a Glance
U.S. News & World Report ranking 28 out of 209
Research Faculty members
$5.5M
Annual Research Awards Funding for 2021
Academic and Teaching Faculty
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
- #12 in Geology from the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Ranking
- Four large research centers
- Cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure
- Geological engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
- High placement rates in industry, academia and government
- Loyal and generous alumni and supporters
- Collaborations with research institutes and universities worldwide
- Research partnerships with the U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado Geological Survey
- One of the best geology museums in the country
- The most comprehensive ore deposits collection in any U.S. educational institution
- Geology trail on campus (BOB WEIMER TRAIL), including a National Park Service designated fossil area