President's Updates
April 2025
Dear FRCC Community,
April is Community College Month, and this year’s theme—best decision ever—invites us to reflect on what makes community colleges such a powerful choice. But rather than focusing on statistics or return on investment, I want to share what makes FRCC my best decision ever.
If you ever need a reminder of why FRCC is the best decision ever for students, look no further than two of our incredible and resilient students.
Top Stories
Student Heading to Harvard for Summer Research
Leah Shipley’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance. At FRCC, we take great pride in seeing our students seize remarkable opportunities that propel them toward their dreams.
FRCC TRIO student Leah Shipley has been selected for a position in the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’ Solar Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program for the summer of 2025. The program will cover her travel costs to and from Cambridge, MA, and provide a stipend of $8,000. Once Leah successfully completes the summer program, the university will also cover the full round-trip cost for her to present her work at a research conference of her choosing.
Leah will graduate in May with her Associate of Science degree in computer science. Read more about Leah’s experience at FRCC, including how our TRIO program at BCC helped her secure an internship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder.
New Century Workforce Scholar
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Mahoney is another example of the determination and resilience that define our FRCC students. Her drive to make a difference in people’s lives has led her to pursue a career in nursing—a journey that has now earned her national recognition.
Lizzy has been selected as Colorado’s only recipient of the prestigious New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship. She was chosen from nearly 2,100 applicants across more than 1,300 colleges nationwide—an incredible achievement that speaks to both her dedication and her impact.
Now, as she prepares to graduate this May, Lizzy is eager to step into the workforce and continue making a difference in her community. As a New Century Scholar, Lizzy will receive a $1,500 scholarship and will be honored at the Association of Community College Trustees’ Leadership Congress this October in New Orleans.
Both Leah and Lizzy remind us why community colleges matter—and why FRCC is, for so many students, the best decision ever.
FRCC Selected for Jobs for the Future’s Project ACCESS
It is not only our students that make FRCC the best decision ever; our ability to build strong partnerships and innovate to support the Colorado economy are also critical.
FRCC has been named one of Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) 10 Project ACCESS schools, a prestigious recognition that places us at the forefront of accelerating career connections and employment success strategies. JFF—a national leader in workforce innovation—is creating a cohort of exemplary community and technical colleges committed to expanding paid work-based learning opportunities and connecting students to quality jobs.
As part of this initiative, FRCC will receive $300,000 over two years to strengthen and expand our apprenticeship programs into new industries and occupations. Increasing access to hands-on learning will ensure more students—especially those facing systemic barriers—have access to high-demand career pathways. JFF selected FRCC because of our strong track record in workforce development and our commitment to innovative, student-centered solutions.
This initiative reinforces FRCC’s role as a leader in workforce education, ensuring that our students gain the real-world experience they need to thrive in today’s job market. By expanding access to paid apprenticeships and hands-on training, we are helping students turn their education into meaningful, well-paying careers.
Employee Spotlight
Just as our students show resilience and determination, our faculty and staff make FRCC the best decision ever by shaping a culture of learning, innovation and impact. One such changemaker is Aaron Leff, whose dedication to student journalism is making waves beyond our college community.
Aaron Leff Named a “News Champion”
English faculty member Aaron Leff has been recognized as a Center for Community News Champion for 2025, an honor that highlights his work with FRCC’s student newspaper The Front Page. This national recognition, awarded by the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, celebrates educators who foster student-driven journalism that strengthens local communities.
In a time when local news is more important than ever, Aaron has created opportunities for FRCC students to report on meaningful stories, develop their journalistic skills and engage with their communities in impactful ways. His leadership is not only shaping the next generation of courageous journalists, storytellers and civic leaders—it’s also reinforcing the vital role that community colleges play in the broader media landscape.
As a CCN Champion, Aaron will connect with professional journalists and academics, gaining insights that will further enrich FRCC’s journalism program. He will also receive a monetary award, peer support and coaching throughout the year—resources that will help him continue empowering our students to find their voices and tell the stories that matter.
Aaron’s recognition is a testament to the power of faculty who go above and beyond to support student success—yet one more reason why FRCC is the best decision ever. At FRCC, we know that education isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about creating pathways to opportunity. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to bridge the gap between learning and career success.
Spread The Word
College Conversation – It’s Time to Talk FRCC Budget
Mark your calendars! FRCC’s next College Conversation is happening on April 10 at 3 pm in the Longs Peak Student Center (East and West Conference Rooms) at the Larimer Campus.
This session will focus on FRCC’s budget for the upcoming year—a critical conversation that shapes the future of our college. Our Vice President of Finance & Administration and his team will provide an overview, share key insights and context, and answer your questions.
This is your opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our financial outlook, ask questions and engage in an open dialogue about how we continue to invest in our students, employees and mission.
We’ll also share an update on our strategic planning process and FRCC's results of FRCC's belonging survey. If you can’t make it in person, please join the College Conversation remotely. Either way, we hope to see you there!
Tools & Resources
New Marketing & Communications Newsletter
This week, keep an eye on your inbox for something exciting—OnBrand, FRCC’s brand-new marketing and communications newsletter designed to equip and inspire every FRCC employee to be a champion for our college. OnBrand is your go-to resource for making sure our college’s impact is seen, heard and felt across our communities.
College Updates
Shaping FRCC’s Future—Together
Higher education has evolved over time and it must continue to do so. Right now, we are in the best part of our strategic planning process where we have met with members of the college community including Faculty Affairs Council, the Expanded Leadership Team, classified and APT staff, instructors, faculty, students and community partners. We continue to collect input to inform the strategic plan’s development through workshops and surveys. Together we have engaged in conversations and strengthened our connections, looking at our challenges and shared opportunities to best serve our students.
One of the most powerful moments in this journey so far has been our Student Experience Workshop—a dynamic, high-energy session where a cross-functional group of employees from across our campuses collaborated to define what an exceptional student experience looks like at FRCC. The energy in the room was electric. Attendees were deeply engaged, discussions were insightful, and our live drawing exercise captured the bold ideas that emerged.
Through storytelling and shared experiences, we celebrated what makes FRCC such an extraordinary place to learn and grow. It was a powerful reminder that while we continue to adapt and evolve, our foundation is strong—and our future will be even stronger.
What’s Next? The Future Summit!
On April 18, we take the next step in our strategic planning process—the Future Summit—an exciting new approach to engaging the college community. This is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to expand the frontiers of our knowledge, advance student success, and continue to challenge and transform the status quo.
We’ll be joined by an outstanding lineup of Ed Talk speakers, each bringing expertise and insight to help inform how we shape our future:
- Dr. Chris Reber, President, Hudson County Community College – Leading college transformation through regional partnerships, expanding opportunity and advancing academic excellence.
- Dr. Mike Muñoz, Superintendent-President, Long Beach City College – Championing equity through data-driven practices that support marginalized students.
- Dr. Tatiana Bailey, Founder and Executive Director, Data Driven Economic Strategies – Driving economic development research to close skills gaps and strengthen workforce initiatives.
- Mr. Ryan Rohman, President, UCHealth Longs Peak and Broomfield Hospital – Fostering leadership through employee strengths and advocacy, building a culture of care and support.
Their work aligns with our focus on creating a student-centered, equity-driven college; reinvesting in employees through a culture of care; renewing the academic core; designing innovative ecosystems; and reimagining infrastructure and operational excellence. To amplify our impact and become future-ready, we will be guided by a data-driven approach—one that strengthens Colorado’s economy and workforce.
As lifelong learners, we know that the most important voices in the room will be our own—coming together to prepare FRCC for a bigger, better, bolder future. Please join me to be inspired and take part in this important phase of our strategic planning process.
RSVP today to confirm your spot
Lastly, as we celebrate Community College Month, let’s make it personal. FRCC is the #BestDecisionEver because ___________. How would you fill in the blank?
Take a moment to reflect on what makes you proud to be part of our Wolf community—whether it’s the students who inspire you, the colleagues who uplift you or the impact you make every day. Once you’ve found your best decision ever, share it. Talk about it with your teams, your students, and even keep it somewhere visible as a reminder of the joy and gratitude this work brings.
Join us in letting everyone know why FRCC is a place of opportunity, transformation and community. Be part of the conversation and share your story! #CCMonth #BestDecisionEver
Thank you for all you do,
Colleen Simpson, EdD
President
