President's Update

December 2025

Dear FRCC Community, 

I hope you all had a relaxing break and found some time to rest, recharge and enjoy the company of loved ones.

In my family, we have a tradition at the Thanksgiving table where each person takes a moment to share what they’re most thankful for. This year, when it was my turn, my heart immediately went to my 18-month-old nephew Jace River Simpson.

 

 

There is something truly grounding about seeing the world through the eyes of a little one—the wonder, the curiosity, the pure joy in even the simplest moments. Jace reminds me daily of what gratitude looks like in its most unfiltered form. As I watched him laugh, explore and greet the world with open arms, I felt a renewed sense of the “why” behind Thanksgiving: to pause, to appreciate and to recognize the quiet joys that sustain us.

Sharing this small piece of my life with you feels important, because the same spirit Jace brings into the world is the spirit I see reflected across FRCC—hopeful, compassionate, genuine and full of possibility.

Spread the Word

Wintry Weather Arrives

With the recent temperature drop and our first snowstorm, this is a good time to remind the college community of how campus weather closures work. Please review FRCC's guidelines for campus closures on our intranet site (Inside FRCC).

As a reminder, whenever FRCC needs to close—or delay our opening time—the college communicates with employees and students via our emergency alert system, which sends out emails and text messages. We also post an alert on the FRCC website, as well as on our social media platforms (@FRCCedu on Facebook, X and Instagram). You should receive these messages—and the alert will be posted on the website—by 6am at the latest. If nothing is posted, then the college is open as usual.

You can see more information about how closure decisions get made on the Campus Safety webpage. Let’s all stay warm and safe this winter!

 

 

Help Plan Our PRISM (Equity & Inclusion) Summit

We're looking for employees who are committed to our value of inclusion to join the planning committee for FRCC’s 2026 PRISM (formerly Equity & Inclusion) Summit!

Members of the committee will attend no more than 3-4 hours of meetings a month. Committee duties will include:  

• Voting on award nominations and workshop proposals  

• Selecting logistical details (such as catering, accessibility, keynote speaker)  

• Executing the summit on the day of the event  

• Spreading the word! 

Please email harris.armstrong@frontrange.edu if you are interested in joining the planning committee for our 5th annual summit!

 

 

FRCC Foundation—Colorado Gives Day Campaign

As FRCC employees, each of you plays a meaningful role in shaping Colorado’s future. Every day, through your dedication, you help open doors of opportunity for the students and communities we proudly serve. As we approach Colorado Gives Day on December 9, I’m asking you to join me in supporting the FRCC Foundation so that we can continue this vital work together.

This past year has reminded us just how many of our students are carrying burdens that extend far beyond the classroom. Economic disparities continue to weigh heavily on their families, and more students than ever rely on scholarships, emergency assistance and wrap-around support simply to stay in school.

I have spoken with students who were on the verge of giving up—until someone stepped in to help. Those moments stay with me. They remind me that when we rally together, we change lives in ways that are both profound and lasting.

Your contribution—no matter the size—has the power to make that difference. It sends a message to our students that their dreams matter and that this community believes in their potential. And if a donation isn’t possible for you this year, your voice still matters deeply. Please consider sharing the Foundation’s link with colleagues, friends and your networks on social media to help broaden our impact. 

 

Give to the FRCC Foundation

 

Supporting Our Teams 

Thriving at FRCC: Wellness for All

The Wellness Committee at FRCC is dedicated to fostering a culture of wellbeing across all three of our vibrant campuses. The group brings our college community together through regular events, educational campaigns and opportunities for connection and awareness.

In partnership with our Division of Organizational Development & Human Resources—which helps champion our strategic priority of vibrant culture—the committee supports a coordinated approach to employee and student wellbeing across the college. The Wellness Committee includes faculty, instructors, staff and students—and everyone is welcome to join in supporting and growing our community’s wellbeing at FRCC.

This collegewide committee believes wellness is foundational to student and employee success. When people feel supported physically, emotionally and socially, they are better able to learn, engage, collaborate and thrive. The group brings together members from all departments and campuses, working closely with Student Life, Human Resources and other partners to create a united approach to wellbeing including events such as mid-semester de-stressing, exploring the Wellness Wheel and special events like Spa Nights.

New members and fresh ideas are always welcome! The Wellness Committee is currently co-chaired by Laura Shiels and Julie Berenger, with continued involvement and support from former co-chairs Nichole Priestly (former Boulder County Campus co-chair) and Jackson Tate (former Westminster Campus co-chair). We invite you to reach out and get to know the dedicated people who lead FRCC's wellness initiatives! 

 

Transformational Partnerships, Lasting Impact

This fall, our campus communities launched a series of new engagement events designed to strengthen relationships with the partners who champion FRCC and our students. We want to keep these opportunities on your radar, as they play an important role in sharing the “why” behind our work and deepening support for the college.

In October, the FRCC Foundation and Community Partnerships team hosted our first Program Tours with the President—small, private donor gatherings that brought supporters into our learning spaces across the Larimer, Westminster and Boulder County campuses. Guests met students and faculty, saw innovative programs in action and experienced firsthand how their investments are shaping lives and Colorado’s workforce.

In November, each campus welcomed local business and community leaders for Community Appreciation After Hours, thanking them for their continued partnership. These events were a chance to celebrate our collaborators, highlight student and faculty talent, and strengthen connections that help drive opportunity and belonging at FRCC.

Across these two event series, we were proud to host more than 120 VIP guests. Special thanks to the faculty, staff, department chairs and leaders who helped showcase our programs and extend such warm hospitality. Your efforts made these inaugural gatherings meaningful, memorable and a powerful reflection of the impact we create together.

We look forward to continuing—and growing—these important engagement opportunities in the year ahead. 

 

Around FRCC

FRCC Speakers Featured at CSU Symposium, First-Gen Summit 

In November, the Inclusive Excellence Symposium at Colorado State University included three presentations from FRCC faculty and staff that emphasized a few of our truly transformational partnerships. I know their talks were some of the highlights of this weeklong event. Two of our college leaders were also recently featured at Colorado’s inaugural First-Generation Summit.

The Symposium is a jam-packed week of incredible workshops, powerful guest speakers and thoughtful events centered around access, success and community well-being for employees, students and community members. Our colleagues’ inspiring presentations focused on the following topics: 

• Elevating Transfer: A Collaborative Approach Through the Ram Transfer Academy
  Presented by Dr. Gabriel Castaño and Kyla Antony (FRCC) with Kevin MacLennan and Dr. Blanche Hughes (CSU) 
• Developing Early Childhood Education Courses for the Spanish-Speaking Community: Successes and Obstacles
  Presented by Rocio Rodriguez and Alesandra Rodriguez (FRCC) with Gloria Kat of the Family Center/La Familia 
• What I Wish College Faculty and Staff Knew: Uncovering Hidden Challenges Working Parent Students Face
  Presented by Marla Manchego and Darrick Hildman (FRCC) with Jodi Terwilliger 

First-Gen Summit. At Colorado’s inaugural First-Generation Summit last month, FRCC’s VP of Enrollment Management & Student Success Gabriel Castaño, EdD, co-facilitated a round-table discussion with our Dean of Access and Student Connections Emily Hsu on the topic of Increasing College Access & Success.

This invitation-only event brought together higher education leaders from across the state to address issues facing first-gen students and to promote student success and access. I’m so proud to see FRCC’s leaders from around the college sharing their expertise and innovative ideas with our statewide higher education colleagues and beyond.