Welcome to Rocky

I have been taking some time to reflect on the past year lately. There has been so much to learn in my new position and so much to figure out. But I’ve also been thinking of the many blessings along the way.  

God has given me a terrific staff who care deeply for Rocky Mountain College. They love our school and our students, and I am so thankful for each one of them.  

God has given us incredible students hungry to learn and put that learning into practice right away!  

God has given us a clear mission to provide quality Christ-centered education that results in transformed lives, and I’ve had the privilege to personally see some of those transformations. 

God has given us committed supporters. So many people across the country and around the world are praying for RMC students and staff. It makes a much greater difference than most will ever know. And so many are supporting the school financially, including those who gave so generously to our Giving Tuesday campaign. I am so thankful for each of you who has sacrificed to make our vision a reality.  

I know that we will always need support and we will always face new challenges but I so encouraged by the blessings God has graced RMC with.  

I’m thankful for you. You are making a difference and this Christmas I want you to know that.  

 Merry Christmas

and God bless you all,

President Rev. Dr. Mike Swalm

In 2000 I was trying to make decisions about what to do after high school. Someone that I knew from my hometown happened to be attending RMC and told me to check it out. I appreciated that it was a school that had many denominations represented in the student body and faculty and many opportunities for connection. There are so many good memories of dorms, choir tours, going to 12am RMC hockey games, and many friends I made who I still stay in contact with today.  I attended RMC from 2001-2005 and received my Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a Major in Pastoral Studies.

After attending RMC I was able to secure a position at Unity Lutheran Church in Medicine Hat as the Youth and Family Director. While there, I was able to connect with other Youth Pastors (some that were RMC grads) to have a broader focus on serving the whole city of Medicine Hat in a collaborative way. A few years later I was visiting Southern Alberta Bible Camp where I had worked as the Waterfront Director in the summer’s off from RMC (because people I met at RMC also worked there). During that visit, I became convinced to join the full-time staff and become the Rental and Retreat Coordinator.

Even when I was living away from Calgary, I still came back and connected with friends from RMC and the church I had attended while at RMC. These connections eventually drew me back to Calgary in 2010. I applied to work with the Employment Department at The Mustard Seed and who should interview me, but another RMC alumni. A few other RMC grads I knew also ended up working with me there. Through my work with people experiencing homelessness I grew a strong desire to get the training and experience to support people with mental health and get below the surface of what I was seeing.

This led me to go back to school and get my Master’s in Counselling Psychology. I attended the satellite campus in Calgary through Providence Seminary and completed the 3 year program so that I could register as a Psychologist in Alberta and open more doors to support people. While completing my schooling and registration process I was able to work with Canadian Mental Health Association supporting those with high acuity mental health diagnosis and did family counselling at Carya. During this time I also met my husband who just happened to grow up with an RMC grad I worked with at the Mustard Seed.

Seven years ago I started my own private practice called Wild Path Counselling. I began with a focus on grief, trauma, and anxiety. After the birth of my sons and due to my own experiences, I became certified in Perinatal Mental Health – focussing on anything from trying to conceive to pregnancy and beyond to parenting and motherhood. I love and am passionate about creating support within these areas and working on treatment and prevention of mental health from the beginning. Outside of this work, my husband and I love sharing our passion for the outdoors with our two busy boys and enjoy taking advantage of what’s in our own backyard.

As you can see in my story, the RMC community has played an integral part beyond attending RMC and continues to. One of my good friends that I met in dorms in 2001 is still a big part of my life and now involved in my kid’s lives as an “auntie”. Pastoring is not what I do now, but through pastoring I was able to see that the part of pastoring I loved was the one-on-one relationship that led me to where I am today as a Psychologist

Do you feel called to help others?

Our Human Services programs at Rocky Mountain College prepare you to serve with both compassion and confidence. Choose from diplomas or degrees in areas like Counselling and Child & Youth Care, all grounded in a strong Christian perspective.

With practical training, field experience, and a supportive community, you’ll graduate ready to make a lasting impact.

Your donation to Rocky Mountain College directly empowers students to achieve their goals and create lasting impact in their communities. With your support, we can continue to foster Christian education, growth, and leadership for tomorrow’s trailblazers. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps shape the future of higher learning and transforms lives.

• Pray that the Lord would continue to provide faithful supporters and partners who will uphold the ministry and the college in prayer, encouragement, and resources throughout the coming year.

• Pray that our students would experience a joyful and meaningful Christmas, filled with peace, love, and the true hope found in Jesus Christ.

• Pray that our dedicated staff would have a blessed and restful Christmas, finding renewal, joy, and strength as they celebrate the birth of our Savior.