Faculty and staff give their all to help students reach their goals.
Each year, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) honors some of its best and brightest faculty and staff members from colleges across the state. This year’s four honorees from Front Range Community College have worked especially hard to meet students’ needs.
“Our employees are at the heart of everything we do,” said FRCC President Colleen Simpson, EdD. “Every day, they bring creativity, care and a belief in what’s possible for our students. Their work reminds us that education is not just something we provide—it’s something we build together. These honorees embody that commitment. They see strength in every student and possibility in every path. Their dedication helps create real opportunities for the communities we serve.”
Employees from across the 13 CCCS schools were honored in April as part of the statewide system’s annual Commitment to Excellence Awards. The winners were lauded for their contributions to the overall success of their college, our students and our communities.
APT Vanessa Mendez, Senior Director, Retention & Support Services
4 years of service
What stands out most about Vanessa is her ability to maintain continuity, compliance, and student-centered service during periods of significant transition. Even as teams navigate staffing changes and evolving grant requirements, Vanessa ensures that systems remain stable, expectations are clear, and students continue to receive timely, high-quality support. Her ability to lead decisively through staffing instability, fiscal uncertainty, and evolving compliance requirements—without compromising student access or service quality—has had a lasting and measurable impact on the college community.
Classified Jessica Cromley, Administrative Assistant for the School of Nursing Sciences
2 years of service
Jessica demonstrates exceptional professionalism, initiative, and dedication to excellence in her admin role. She has a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the complex needs of students, faculty, and leadership in the school of nursing. She is highly organized and anticipates needs before they arise, developing plans in advance. Jessica excels in creating a supportive environment and serves with compassion and responsiveness. Her contribution to FRCC enhances student success, strengthens the nursing school operations, supporting leadership, and above all models FRCC values of integrity, respect, collaboration, and service.
Faculty, Rita Quintana, Faculty, Mathematics & Engineering
14 years of service
Rita exemplifies what it means to go “above and beyond” for her students and colleagues. Through her compassionate teaching, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to equity and innovation, she embodies FRCC’s strategic priorities of Success for Every Learner, Learning Without Limits, Creating a Vibrant Culture, and College Excellence. Mathematics can be a source of anxiety for many students, yet Rita has a unique ability to ease those fears and foster confidence. Her authentic care for student success radiates in every interaction. Colleagues describe her as “unmatched in her commitment to learning and learners,” a faculty member whose influence extends across the college—from mentoring peers and redesigning curriculum to co-developing trainings on co-requisite instruction and promoting belonging and community in the classroom.
Instructor, Richard Lippard, Instructor, Health Science and Wellness
6 years of service
Richard has always been student-centered. He makes students at ease with his sense of humor, and always provides a fun way to stress the importance of safety or a particular medical procedure. He makes sure each student is engaged and often finds a way to lure even the most introverted person out of their shell. Richard is not just a teacher, he is a mentor to these fledgling medical professionals, and encourages students to think outside the medical mindset and the proverbial “box.” He consistently exceeds expectations in every aspect of his role, and is not only a dedicated educator but also a pillar of support for our team.
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.
