1:10 – 1:55 pm
Room 440 Adirondacks
Two 20-minute presentations
Indigenous Student Engagement Project
Brett Caskey, Keith Peterson, Hailee Russell, and Nicholas Swails, Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) has approached the recruitment of Indigenous students from regional tribal communities with intentionality. Through engagement with tribal education offices, CNCC staff has begun to establish long-term, responsive relationships with Indigenous communities and students through individual meetings, college fair attendance, the creation of specialized summer programming and the creation of an on-campus indigenous student space. This session will share out results from the first year of efforts.
Brett Caskey is the Vice President of Student Services, Keith Peterson is the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Hailee Russell is the Controller, and Nicholas Swails is the Dean of Academic Affairs and Online Learning at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
Native American Success Coach
Erika Alvero and Dr. Lisa Snyder, Pueblo Community College
Southwest Colorado is home to one-third of the state’s Native American population and closely borders the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. It is of paramount importance, then, that Pueblo Community College Southwest takes steps to best serve and support Native students, who have historically been underserved and even exploited through the U.S. government’s educational systems. In this presentation, we focus on the work of PCC SW to combat these historical inequities, increase enrollment and retention of Native American students, and build positive relationships with local tribal groups.
Erika Alvero is the Native American Success Coach at Pueblo Community College Southwest in Mancos, Colorado. She has a Master’s in Journalism and Anthropology and is pursuing her doctorate in Anthropology. She was drawn to this work out of a passion for education, learning and a desire to help promote justice in education.
Lisa Snyder is the Executive Dean for Pueblo Community College Southwest.
Room 640 Zenith
The Rural Mental Health Dilemma: How Rural Institutions are Promoting Personal Wellness & Professional Growth Among Students
Sarah Droege, MA, LPC, ACS, Colorado Community College System
Students enrolled at our rural institutions are presented with unique academic, professional, and health challenges. In a post-COVID world, resource deficits and lack of access to quality care are of primary concern for these regions, especially in the realm of mental health services. How are our more remotely situated schools working to combat such endemic voids?
The Rural Mental Health Development Project (RMHDP), supported by SB22-181 Behavioral Healthcare Workforce funding, is seeking to remedy these service-related vacuums while helping to develop the next generation of mental health professionals. Institutions participating in the RMHDP are in the process of placing mental health professionals on their campuses to provide full-time, in-person, direct psychological support services and related resources to enrolled students. These schools may also elect to simultaneously coordinate a psychoeducational internship program, allowing students involved in behavioral health degree and micro-credential programs an opportunity to apply their burgeoning knowledge base in an entry-level, non-clinical setting.
Join us for a look inside this pilot project and the institutional endeavors currently underway to bring quality mental health services to every corner of Colorado!
Sarah Droege, MA, LPC, ACS, is the Rural Mental Healthcare Lead at the Colorado Community College System. Inspired by her time facilitating a psychoeducational support group for HIV-positive villagers during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Naroosura, Kenya, Sarah has been involved in the professional mental health sphere for the past decade. Her journey as a Licensed Professional Counselor has taken her through a variety of milieus, including a syringe exchange, a community corrections residence, a rural prison, and a return to East Africa to support grant-funded mental health development work on the island of Zanzibar. More recently, Sarah designed and then ran all services of the inaugural Otero College Mental Health Counseling Office, creating the model from which the presently piloted Rural Mental Health Development Project was conceptualized.
Room 250 Tivoli Turnhalle
Building Bridges: Strengthening Academic and Career Coaching for Latinx Adult Learners through an Innovative Partnership between Latin American Educational Foundation, InsideTrack, and US Bank
Nick Lopez, Latin American Educational Foundation
Marcia Romero, US Bank
Dr. Roberto Montoya, InsideTrack
This session will explore the innovative partnership between the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF), InsideTrack and US Bank aimed at supporting Latinx adult learners in their academic and career pursuits. Through personalized coaching and culturally relevant support, this collaboration aims to significantly enhance student outcomes and empower learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Presenters will share insights from the collaboration between LAEF, InsideTrack, and US Bank highlighting the mutual benefits and innovative approaches to partnership development. Attendees will learn practical strategies for fostering collaboration, leveraging resources, and maximizing impact through effective community engagement.
As a first-generation college student, Nick Lopez believes deeply in advancing educational opportunities for all Colorado Latino students. Nick has over 20 years of national experience in philanthropy and non-profit leadership. He also has a background in higher education, having worked in various leadership roles at the University of Chicago, DePaul University, and the University of Denver. He earned his BA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and MS in Public Service Management from DePaul University.
Marcia Romero is a Community Affairs Manager at U.S. Bank in Denver, overseeing a multi-million-dollar community investment portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in corporate social responsibility, finance, marketing, and communications across various sectors, she actively engages in U.S. Bank’s Business Resource Groups. Marcia is a mentor through the Bank’s Mentor Connect program and a proud advocate for community service, serving on numerous boards and volunteering for various organizations. Marcia holds a degree in International Business from the University of Denver.
Dr. Roberto Montoya’s extensive expertise includes diversity recruitment, teaching, and leadership in equity initiatives at numerous institutions. As Colorado’s pioneering Chief Educational Equity Officer, he led transformative efforts, establishing the Office of Educational Equity and co-founding the Colorado Hispanic Serving Institution Consortium. Currently serving as Associate Vice President at InsideTrack, he focuses on Hispanic Serving Institutions, leveraging coaching for impactful partnership and learner success. Holding a Ph.D. in critical studies, he advocates for systemic change in higher education.
Room 320-A Baerresen Ballroom A
Using AI to Ease the Burden of Offering Credit for Prior Learning
Sam Soliman, Northeastern Junior College
Dr. Geeta Verma, LivedX and University of Colorado Denver
In an era where experiential learning is as valuable as formal education, Northeastern Junior College is leading the charge by integrating LivedX, an AI-powered platform, into its credentialing process. This groundbreaking collaboration is redefining the academic landscape, offering students and industry professionals a unique opportunity to convert their lived and learned experiences into recognized credentials, including certificates and college credits.
In this session, we will explore the multifaceted partnership between Northeastern and LivedX, showcasing how this partnership has streamlined portfolio processes, significantly alleviating the administrative burdens traditionally faced by students, faculty, and administration alike. Attendees will gain insight into how LivedX facilitates a seamless translation of real-world experiences into academic recognition, thereby enhancing the educational journey for concurrent students, non-traditional learners, and participants in internships and work-study programs.
Discover the innovative strategies implemented by Northeastern to integrate LivedX into various academic and professional pathways, and learn how this collaboration is setting a new standard for educational institutions worldwide. Join us to understand the future of experiential learning and how it can be harnessed to foster a more inclusive, efficient, and practical educational environment.
Sam Soliman brings over 15 years of expertise in higher education to his role as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Northeastern Junior College. His higher education career began as a professor of behavioral science and religion, transitioning into administrative positions, including a previous role as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Ancilla College, a part of Marian University, Indiana. Before his tenure in academia, Sam was regional director for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addictions, focusing on educational program management. His diverse educational background includes graduate education in social work and sociology from Fort Hays State University, a Master of Public Affairs with a focus on Community Development and Non-Profit Administration from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, a Master of Arts and Master of Divinity from Yale University, a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Higher Education Leadership at Community Colleges from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and he is currently advancing his knowledge as a PhD candidate in Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver.
Dr. Geeta Verma is the founder of LivedX and a professor of science education at the School of Education & Human Development, University of Colorado Denver. For over 25 years, she has worked in the field of education as a classroom teacher, researcher, and teacher educator. Dr. Verma started LivedX to provide real-world solutions to problems unveiled in her extensive research on (in)equity issues in science education, curriculum discourse, and ethnic studies in immigrant communities. Geeta serves as the co-Editor in Chief for the Journal of Science Teacher Education, and as a past associate editor for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, and serves on the review board of many journals.
Room 320-B Baerresen Ballroom B
Strategic Learning Partnerships: IBM and Non-Credit Certificates in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity
Janel Highfill, Front Range Community College
Jen Lucia, IBM
In an era where the dynamic landscape of technology requires continuous skill development, strategic learning partnerships play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce. This session delves into the collaboration between our institution and IBM, focusing on the delivery of non-credit certificates in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity. The presentation will explore the strategic framework that underpins this partnership, emphasizing the tailored curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of the digital age.
Attendees can expect insights into the distinctive features of non-credit certificate programs, the relevance of these certificates in the current professional landscape, and the unique advantages of the IBM collaboration. Practical aspects, such as hands-on learning opportunities, industry-aligned content, and professional learning assessment opportunities will be highlighted.
We will showcase how this strategic learning partnership with IBM enhances participants’ skill sets, fosters innovation, and opens doors to diverse career pathways. Join us to gain a comprehensive understanding of how non-credit certificates in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, powered by the strategic collaboration with IBM, are shaping the educational landscape and empowering individuals for success in the digital realm.
Janel Highfill is the Associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships at Front Range Community College. She oversees Corporate Solutions, the Larimer County and North Metro Small Business Development Centers, Apprenticeships and Professional and Continuing Education. Janel has held leadership roles in the Colorado Community College Systems for most of her career, working at Front Range Community College, Community College of Denver and Community College of Aurora. She also has work experience with non-profits in the greater Denver area.
With over ten years of experience in program management, Jen Lucia currently manages a global portfolio that focuses on strategy development in higher education and developing strategic partnerships that provide access to opportunity through non-traditional pathways. As a PMP certified professional, Jen applies agile and user-centric methodologies to deliver high-quality outcomes and value for IBM partners and users. She has led projects for IBM programs, such as P-TECH and SkillsBuild, that have enhanced the education and career opportunities for thousands of students and adult professionals. Jen is an organization geek who is passionate about expanding access to digital skills and creating opportunities for people – regardless of their background – to build a better future.
Room 320-C Baerresen Ballroom C
Two 20-minute presentations
Triangulating Workforce Needs and Learner Interests Using Big Data (CollegeApp)
Clair Collins, Community College of Aurora
Colleges are tasked with recruiting students that meet the workforce needs of our state. Many colleges create and adapt programing to capture additional subsidies from the state and federal government but fail to take into account learner interests. Typically, when learner interests are not aligned with workforce needs, colleges are left with low enrollment programs and the eventual end to once plentiful outside funding. This session is about using census data and “likelihood of enrolling” proprietary data from CollegeApp to align with high demand workforce programs.
Clair Collins is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Pathway Success at Community College of Aurora. She was first exposed to GIS datasets as an English major comedically forced to take a jointly taught Geography and English Lit course about the great American Southwest while an undergrad. Clair reluctantly admits that this course is likely what propelled her into the administrative side of higher education. She loves big data, little data, medium data, and a good communication plan.
Beyond the Pages: An Introduction to Our Interactive Adult Learner Dashboards
Li-ling Hsu, Colorado Community College System
Do you know we are transforming the static Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Adult Learner Report to an interactive experience that allows users to filter the data more granularly and to slice and dice data to their desired colleges? Join me to explore the features of our newly developed adult learner dashboards. In this presentation, I will show you how to navigate through the dashboards and how to use the drill-down feature to facilitate a deeper understanding of your data.
Li-ling Hsu is the Assistant Director of Institutional Research (IR) at the Colorado Community College System. She has worked in higher education research for over a decade. At the system office, she maintains system-wide reports, responds to recurring and ad hoc information requests from both CCCS and non-CCCS entities. Li-ling holds a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from the University of Colorado Denver.