In just over a year, the Iver C. Ranum Innovation Campus has transformed from a visionary blueprint into a living, breathing example of what’s possible when public education systems align.
Westminster Public Schools (WPS) and FRCC have partnered to create this state-of-the-art STEM and career technical education facility, which not only prepares high school students for future careers but also serves as Colorado’s first multigenerational learning campus.
And this fall, FRCC will launch new high-tech programs at Ranum, expanding its cutting-edge offerings to directly meet workforce demand.
A Shared Vision for Innovation
The collaboration between FRCC and WPS began when the campus opened in August 2024, as both organizations committed to sharing resources at the Ranum Innovation Campus. Their goal: to create a centralized hub for career training and learning.
The Ranum campus represents a departure from traditional education silos, combining K–12, college and industry under one roof. Evening and weekend adult learning programs are also planned, offering workforce training to the broader Westminster community.
Creating Community Vibrancy
“Programs and partnerships like this really contribute to community vibrancy,” says April Menzies, FRCC’s AVP for Concurrent Enrollment. “These students are trained to be health care providers and other critical workers, and they’re learning and potentially earning in the communities where they grew up.”
The partnership initially launched with a cybersecurity pathway. This fall, FRCC will expand its presence at Ranum with two hands-on advanced manufacturing programs—Electronics Engineering Technology and Automation & Engineering Technology—fully delivered by FRCC faculty.
“It helps Front Range to expand its capacity in those advanced manufacturing programs,” said April. “It also helps create ways for high school students and that community around the Ranum campus to be able to participate in those career pathways.”
From Blueprint to Breakthrough
The transformation of the historic Ranum site began in January 2023, and by February 2024, special guests were already getting a first look at what would become a centerpiece for this new blueprint for education. The initial campus tour, led by the WPS Ranum Reimagined team, highlighted facilities designed to support Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology and Cyber Technology.
“This is a catalyst for transformative education,” said Ryan McCoy, chief of advancement and strategic partnerships at WPS. “By integrating these partnerships, we not only empower students with usable skill sets but also create a community focused on knowledge, innovation and prosperity.”
Expanding Access and Opportunity
“If we’re really talking about lifelong learning being a core value,” April explains, “this is really where the rubber hits the road.”
Still, launching such an ambitious partnership has not been without its challenges. Aligning high school and college schedules, navigating different educational terminologies and coordinating curriculum have all required flexibility and communication.
“Sometimes we speak different languages,” April says. “I really credit our faculty and I really appreciate the partnership, strength and commitment to the vision that we’ve all shared which has allowed us to get through those kinds of challenges.”
Industry Support for a Regional Hub
Community and industry stakeholders have taken note of the promise Ranum holds. The Colorado BioScience Institute strongly backed the campus as part of a grant application to expand the Industrial Assessment Center Program. Their letter of support praised the campus as a “regional training center for training our emerging workforce,” emphasizing its alignment with Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem and the growing demand for skilled labor.
To further this mission, the iInstitute committed to helping recruit companies into labor-management partnerships and assist in building Registered Apprenticeship programs.
The Beginning of Something Bigger
As the partnership continues to evolve, those involved are clear: This is just the beginning.
And though the partnership is in its early stages, the vision for Ranum is long-term. It was designed not just to educate, but to transform.
“It takes a village to pull this kind of thing off,” April says. “This is a really innovative education partnership… We’re really addressing the lifespan of a learner.”
