Daily Inspiration: Meet Trish Sangelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Sangelo.

Hi Trish, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After graduate school at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where I earned my MFA, I was hired at Arapahoe Community College (ACC) in Littleton, Colorado, as a photography professor and gallery director. I packed up my little car and drove across the country to start my career, excited (and a little nervous) to begin this new chapter.

A few years later, in 2004, I proposed starting a study abroad program, driven by a belief that international experiences can be transformative for students. What began with a single trip and just nine students, and my first time abroad, has grown into a robust program offering a variety of trips with numerous academic disciplines and cultural learning experiences. To date, we’ve taken over 400 students abroad, and we’ve built a strong fundraising initiative to help make these opportunities financially accessible for all.

Alongside that growth, the gallery has also evolved. What began as a single main exhibition space has expanded into a network of seven mini-galleries across campus and online. These feature a wide range of rotating shows — from student and local artwork to interactive installations, themed exhibitions, and collaborative community projects. We’ve showcased everything from traditional fine art to multimedia, social practice, and experimental work in both formal and unconventional spaces.

Aa a first-generation student myself, one guiding principle throughout my work has been a strong student focus — making a meaningful difference in their lives by supporting their career paths and helping them build effective work skills. Whether through teaching, curating, or leading study abroad programs, I’m passionate about empowering students to grow both personally and professionally.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, and that’s part of what has made this journey so meaningful. As a first-generation student myself, without much family support, I faced challenges early on that required extra determination and resilience. Building programs like the study abroad initiative and expanding the gallery came with hurdles—securing funding, navigating administrative processes, and gaining buy-in from colleagues wasn’t always easy.

Balancing teaching, managing the gallery, coordinating trips, and supporting students could sometimes feel overwhelming. I had to learn how to delegate, build strong teams, and keep my focus on the bigger picture.

Another ongoing challenge has been making opportunities accessible to all students, especially those who, like me, may not have traditional support systems. That’s why I’ve been committed to developing strong fundraising efforts and support programs to help students overcome financial and logistical barriers.

These struggles have deepened my empathy and strengthened my commitment to helping students succeed, because I understand firsthand how important support and opportunity can be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With 33 years of being at ACC, I wear several hats in my role at Arapahoe Community College — I’m a professor, gallery director, arts programmer, and practicing artist. My work lives at the intersection of education, community engagement, and creative practice.

Professionally, I specialize in photography, installations and visual storytelling, both in my own art and in the way I support and showcase others. As the gallery director, I curate exhibitions that feature student work, emerging artists, community collaborations, and thought-provoking themes. I’ve also expanded our exhibition spaces from one main gallery to seven mini-galleries across campus — creating more inclusive and accessible platforms for visual dialogue.

As a professor, I’m known for being deeply student-focused. I’m passionate about helping students find their voice, develop strong work habits, and prepare for creative careers — whether that’s through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, or real-world experiences like study abroad. I’ve developed a robust international program that started with just nine students and has grown to support over 400 participants, backed by a strong fundraising model to make travel more accessible.

As an artist, my practice centers around photography and installation, often exploring themes of travel, memory, identity, and environment. My creative work informs how I teach and engage with students — not just as a mentor, but as someone who’s also continually learning and evolving through my own artistic journey.

What sets me apart is the integration of these roles. I don’t just teach art — I live it, curate it, create it, and connect it to the world around me. I’m most proud of the opportunities I’ve helped create for students: spaces to exhibit, travel, grow, and see themselves as part of a larger creative community.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of my work — they’ve shaped nearly every project I’ve developed, from exhibitions to study abroad programs to community outreach. I truly believe that shared ideas and creative exchange lead to the most meaningful growth — for students, artists, institutions, and myself.

There are many ways people can work with me: through co-curating exhibitions, developing educational programs, leading workshops, creating public art projects, or building interdisciplinary initiatives. I’m always open to exploring new ideas and forming partnerships that align with shared values around access, creativity, and community engagement.

Support can also come through mentoring students, sponsoring study abroad scholarships, or contributing to local art initiatives. Whether it’s working directly on a project or simply sharing space for conversation and idea development, I welcome connections that foster collaboration and expansion — in both vision and impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arapahoe.edu/campus-community/art-galleries and https://www.arapahoe.edu/academics-programs/resources/academic-experiences/study-abroad

Image Credits
I took the photo. Professor, Trish Sangelo