Front Range Community College is honored to be the only college in Colorado selected to join the Complete College America Accelerator, an ambitious national initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and led by Complete College America (CCA).
The program brings together 19 state partners and 100 colleges and universities nationwide in a shared mission to:
- Improve student success
- Close gaps in college access and completion
- Redefine what equitable higher education looks like in the 21st century
Through the accelerator, FRCC will build the college’s capacity to scale, implement and sustain evidence-based practices that are designed to eliminate barriers and dramatically improve college completion rates for all students. Participation in this national network affirms FRCC’s leadership in student success and supports the advancement of its new strategic plan priorities, success for every learner and learning without limits.
The college will now work alongside peer institutions to remove barriers, elevate data-informed practices and expand access to completion pathways for all students, especially those who have been historically excluded from higher education.
Using Data to Innovate
“This recognition reassures that we’re moving in the right direction,” said FRCC President Colleen Simpson, EdD. “We are building a stronger foundation for student success; one that uses data, innovation and collaboration to help every learner walk across the stage on graduation day.”
Through funding from the national grant program, FRCC will partner with CCA to conduct institutional assessments, strengthen its data capacity and implement research-based strategies that improve completion rates and successful student outcomes. The initiative will also connect FRCC to a network of experts who help colleges rethink practices and scale proven solutions.
A Nationwide Network
“We’re stepping into a national conversation about what’s next for higher education,” said Anne Marie Jacobson, PhD, the college’s dean for social sciences, education & public service. “Our team is energized by the opportunity to exchange ideas, test new models and bring forward practices that make a tangible difference for students.”
FRCC’s participation in the accelerator builds on the college’s ongoing success in improving persistence and completion through innovative teaching, holistic support services and technology that personalizes the student experience. The work will also strengthen the college’s role in the statewide effort to boost credential completion and workforce readiness in Colorado.
“This collaboration is more than a recognition of the work we’ve been doing—it’s a catalyst,” said Alana Olschwang, PhD, FRCC’s vice president for strategy and innovation. “It positions our college to amplify what’s working, learn from others and share our insights with colleges across the nation.”
As part of the Accelerator, FRCC will not only learn from leading institutions but also share its expertise, contributing to a growing body of knowledge aimed at improving outcomes for all students.
The college’s participation in the CCA Accelerator underscores FRCC’s growing leadership in higher education innovation and its belief that when every student has the support they need to succeed, progress accelerates not only for our students but for Colorado as a whole, because when more learners succeed, our communities thrive.
About Complete College America
The Complete College America (CCA) Accelerator is a national initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that brings together 19 state partners and 100 colleges and universities committed to transforming higher education outcomes. The Accelerator helps institutions build capacity to implement and scale evidence-based strategies that close equity gaps, remove barriers to completion, and improve student success. Through collaboration, data-driven innovation, and shared learning, participating colleges and universities work to redefine what equitable college access and completion look like in the 21st century.
Please contact Alana.Olschwang@frontrange.edu for more information.
About Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College (FRCC) is Colorado’s largest community college, serving more than 27,000 students each year. With courses offered at multiple locations, online and through our high school Concurrent Enrollment programs, at FRCC, learners can choose from more than 200 degrees and certificates in a wide variety of fields. For more information, visit frontrange.edu.
The college’s strategic plan, Forward, Together, focuses on five strategic priorities:
- Learning Without Limits
- Success for Every Learner
- Vibrant Culture
- College Excellence
- Transformational Partnerships
FRCC is proud to be part of the Colorado Community College System, advancing educational access and workforce development across the state.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 114,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
