COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - M.J. Arjomandi of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) has been selected as the 2019-20 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Faculty Mentor of the Year award recipient.
 
Arjomandi claims to be happily married to his profession, and says he has hundreds of children as he believes every student is one of his kids. He went to undergrad and graduate school at UCCS and now teaches in their communications department as well as being the voice of Mountain Lion athletics as the announcer at home events.

Nate Gibson, the Executive Director of Athletics at UCCS speaks highly of Arjomandi. "M.J. is an extremely positive, energetic and passionate person and I am so proud that he has received this honor from the RMAC," said Gibson. "I first met MJ when I started at UCCS when I hired him as a student employee in athletics. Since, he has been involved in every aspect of our department and cares deeply about Mountain Lion Athletics and our students. Now, as a professor, I know that MJ believes in the transformative experience that college provides, and we can see that in how he cares about our students and campus. Congrats MJ on this well-deserved honor.

M.J. Arjomandi always has a smile on his face that illuminates any room he walks into. He takes pride in his leadership and understands that the student-athletes may have a lot going on, but he constantly prepares them to face struggles and adversity head on. He is a walking testimony that if you are passionate about something and put in the work, you can thrive in whatever area that may be."
 
"Congratulations to Arjomandi on this very prestigious recognition," said RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham. "His support of UCCS student-athletes reaches further beyond a typical faculty member including his work announcing Mountain Lion athletic contests. Student-athletes at UCCS have recognized Arjomandi's efforts that have extended beyond and the classroom, literally into the site of competition."

As the 2019-20 RMAC award recipient, M.J. will also be nominated for the NCAA Division II Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award.

The Faculty Mentor of the Year award is awarded through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  Each institution has the opportunity to submit a nominee. The SAAC Officers review the nominations and select the Faculty Mentor of the Year.