Nearly half of students enrolled are from families whose parents didn’t earn a four-year degree, representing 48% of the 2024 graduating class, resulting in statewide designation.
Quynh Anh Do found the support she needed after enrolling at Front Range Community College to pursue credentials toward a more rewarding career.
The first-generation student and English language learner overcame challenges with individualized support from her FRCC success coach April Rosas, who, like Quynh Anh, was a first-generation student herself.
“They work up that seed inside of me, that potential in me that, ‘Quynh Anh, you got this, you can.’ I didn’t hear that growing up, but now I’m surrounded by … success coaches to tell me, ‘We believe in you.’ It really helped me reprogram my mindset.”
First-generation students like Quynh Anh aren’t just enrolling at FRCC at rates higher than the statewide average, they’re also flourishing once they begin their academic journeys at the state’s largest community college.
A Leader in Supporting Successful Outcomes
FRCC is leading the way in supporting success for first-gen students earning credentials by providing comprehensive wraparound support services tailored to individual students.
The results show FRCC first-gen students, who represented nearly half of the 18,161 enrolled students in 2024, persisting at rates relative to their peers and representing 48% of the year’s graduating class.
In academic year 2024-25, over 60% of first-gen students earned an associate’s degree or certificate. Of those earning credentials, more than a third of completers transferred to a four-year institution. These numbers are well above national benchmarks.
Statewide Recognition
In recognition, the Colorado Department of Higher Education designated FRCC as First Generation-Serving Campus for the second year in a row, affirming the college as a national leader and high-performing institution in developing and delivering a successful model for equitable access and outcomes.
“We are intentional about applying evidence-based practices that support success for every learner, and our first-generation programming is no exception,” said Dr. Colleen Simpson, FRCC president. “As the leader in reimagining the community college of the 21st century, we remain committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community that revolutionizes the student experience with support that helps students reach their goals.”
How FRCC Supports First-Generation Students
FRCC provides first-generation students with wraparound support services through the federally funded TRIO program at all three of its campuses. That comprehensive support includes a proven model that combines coaching and mentorship with academic support, financial and navigational resources, and career preparation all tailored to the individual student.
“It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all model,” said Angela Rodriguez, Director of TRIO Student Support Services on the Boulder County Campus. “Every student is unique, and sometimes you just have to adapt to the student and what their needs and wants are.”
TRIO students get help for their specific situations by meeting with their designated success coach a minimum of three times a semester, attending at least two interactive workshops covering topics such as career exploration along with transfer visits to four-year universities, and connecting with a peer mentor or the academic success center.
“TRIO plays a huge part in my success,” Quynh Anh said. “They make sure I have all the resources that I need as a first-generation student. They give me access to education in a way that my parents did not know how to give me.”
A Look Ahead
In addition, the college is reimagining the community college of the 21st century by applying innovative and evidence-based practices through its Forward, Together strategic plan, a strategic enrollment plan under development, and through initiatives such as the Complete College America Accelerator. These efforts are aimed at improving student success, closing gaps in college access and completion, and redefining what equitable higher education looks like in the 21st century. FRCC was the only college in Colorado selected for the program backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
FRCC Students Enroll and Succeed at FRCC
- In 2024, 48% of FRCC students were first generation (excludes concurrent enrollment and extended studies students)
- Approximately 35% of students enrolled in Colorado’s public colleges and universities were first generation
- 1,810 first-generation students graduated from FRCC, representing 48% of the 2024 graduating class
- In academic year 2024-25, over 60% of first-gen students earned an associate’s degree or certificate. Of those earning credentials, more than a third of completers transferred to a four-year institution. These numbers are well above national benchmarks.
About the Designation
In 2024, Colorado legislators passed House Bill 1082, creating a designation for institutions whose average first-generation student population equals or exceeds the statewide three-year average (using the most recent available data).
The designation reflects the state’s broader goal of closing educational equity gaps and ensuring first-generation students have the same opportunities to persist and complete their credentials as their peers.
About 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) CCCS comprises 13 colleges and more than 35 locations, serving over 124,000 students annually. Together, its colleges play a vital role in delivering workforce-aligned education, expanding economic mobility, and serving as the first and best path to opportunity for Coloradans of all backgrounds.
