President's Update

June 2026

Dear FRCC Community, 

Summer at a community college is a little like a duck gliding across a pond. On the surface, things appear calm and unhurried. But beneath the water, there's a tremendous amount of activity keeping everything moving forward.

That certainly describes FRCC this summer.

While our campuses may be a little quieter than they are during the academic year, our faculty, instructors and staff are hard at work preparing for fall and ensuring students have the support they need to succeed from Day One. Across the college, teams are focused on enrollment, advising, financial aid, orientation and outreach efforts that help students take the next step toward achieving their goals.

I'm pleased to share that fall enrollment continues to build momentum. To date, more than 8,000 students have registered for fall classes, and our teams continue working with prospective students every day as we prepare to welcome a new class of learners this August.

Around FRCC

Strategic Enrollment Management Plan Advances

For the first time in FRCC history, we're building a collegewide Strategic Enrollment Management Plan that will revolutionize how we support our strategic priority of Success for Every Learner.

Foundational work has already begun alongside our partners at Swim Digital Group, with a published set of findings and actionable recommendations based on their research and what they heard directly from college faculty, staff and students during 11 listening sessions.

College work groups organized around this report are creating deliverables that will lead to a sequenced action plan. The plan will be aligned across the college to support students from inquiry to completion—and will shape the future of FRCC.

 

Thinking Ideas to Boost Student Success

Awardees of the President’s Innovation Fund proposed bold projects to advance our Forward, Together strategic priorities.

The four initiatives chosen for funding demonstrate exceptional potential to drive student success, foster vibrant culture and build transformational partnerships.

1. Building Bridges to College
   English Language Learning Transitions to Post-Secondary English
   Units:  English Language Learning (Continuing Education), English Department, Teaching Excellence Center, Academic Success Center
   Leads:  Stewart Erlich, Shane Saddison-Bradford
2. A Blueprint to Belonging
   Strengthening community for commuters, online learners, first-generation students, night-class attendees and student parents
   Units:  Student Life; Disability Student Services; Testing Center; Career and Transfer Center; Academic Support Center
   Team:  G. McDonald, Timothy Mellon, Amanda Clancy
3. Unlocking Potential
   Supporting students with undiagnosed disabilities—helping them move from “slipping through the cracks” to academic success
   Units:  Disability Support Services; Student Success; Student Conduct
   Lead:  Megan Wolff
4.  Industry-Embedded Filmmaking & Creative Leadership
   Connecting the classroom with Colorado’s growing creative workforce.
   Units:  Business for Creative Industries; Multimedia Graphic Design
   Team:  Dolly Raines, Kae Novak

Congratulations to the winners! I look forward to seeing positive impacts for even more of our students. 

 

FRCC Earns Top State Honor for Supporting Students’ Basic Needs 

Supporting the whole student is essential to success in college, and FRCC is being recognized for leading the way. The Colorado Department of Higher Education has awarded FRCC its top designation as a “Comprehensive Campus for Basic Needs,” honoring the commitment to helping students navigate challenges outside the classroom.

FRCC provides coordinated support so students can stay focused by offering access to food, mental health services, emergency financial aid and childcare, among others.

More than half of FRCC students report experiencing food or housing insecurity. By tackling these barriers, FRCC helps more students stay enrolled, complete their programs and build better futures.

east Read the full announcement

 College Updates 

New Paramedic Degree Expands Career Pathways and Meets Critical Workforce Needs

FRCC’s new Associate of Applied Science in paramedicine creates a pathway to purpose-driven careers where graduates are prepared to lead and serve in life-saving roles.

This program offers more than technical training. It provides upward mobility for students, especially working EMTs, opening doors to higher wages, greater responsibility and long-term career growth.

Through hands-on, real-world learning, students build the skills and confidence to make critical decisions under pressure. Just as important, our stackable credential model ensures this pathway remains accessible—meeting students where they are and helping them move forward without starting over.

This is transformation in action: empowering students while strengthening the health and safety of the communities we serve.