For more than 14 years, Roxanne Strand has helped keep technology running smoothly at Front Range Community College—while making sure people always come first.
Today, as director of client services, she supports IT teams across all three FRCC campuses, traveling regularly between the college’s locations to stay connected with staff and campus needs.
A Thrilling Ride
Before joining FRCC, Roxanne worked as a business analyst, partnering with stakeholders to analyze business processes, identify organizational needs and develop technology solutions that improved efficiency. She initially applied for a business analyst position at FRCC but ultimately accepted a different role in the college’s IT Department—one that launched a career spanning more than 14 years with the college.
While her career in information technology wasn’t something she expected to do from the beginning, she says each opportunity naturally led to the next.
“It really has not been a planned path,” Roxanne says. “It’s been like the Game of Life with a lot of twists, turns and opportunities.”
Working at FRCC also offered something especially meaningful when she joined the college: a short commute while raising young children and the opportunity to work in a meaningful environment.
“I’ve said this probably since day one—I just really enjoy the energy that I feel from our students. When fall comes around and our halls are full again, it really energizes me. It’s a good reminder of why we’re all here,” she says.
Creating Great Experiences Through Tech
As director of client services, Roxanne leads the teams that faculty, staff and students interact with every day when they need technology support. She believes exceptional customer service is just as important as technical expertise—and it shows.
“Roxanne is enthusiastic, reliable and a great example of strong leadership,” says her colleague Kacey Lennon, coordinator of IT procurement & budgeting. “She makes the workplace fun and brings people together, creating an environment where collaboration comes naturally.”
“She is always striving to strengthen the team and help the college grow into a more connected and successful organization.”
Her team not only resolves technology issues but also partners with departments across the college to understand their goals and identify ways technology can support their work.
“Roxanne has an amazing ability to solve complex problems without losing sight of what really matters. She brings a thoughtful, big-picture perspective to everything she does, and that kind of leadership gives the team confidence, even during challenging times,” Kacey says.
Giving Student Employees Career Experience
She is especially proud of the department’s commitment to developing future IT professionals. Many full-time desktop support technicians first worked for FRCC as student employees before joining the department permanently.
“We’re constantly mentoring student technicians,” Roxanne says.
That culture of mentorship has expanded this year through a new internship partnership with FalconTECH—one of FRCC’s high school P-TECH programs. This innovative educational model gives high school students the opportunity to earn tuition-free associate degrees while preparing for careers in technology fields.
The new internship offering with FRCC’s IT Department will give these students real-world IT experience working alongside college staff. Roxanne hopes the program will continue to grow and create additional pathways for both FalconTECH and FRCC students.
Looking Ahead
One of the projects she’s most excited about right now is reimagining the college’s Computer Commons. As student technology needs continue to evolve, she plans to gather feedback from students, faculty and staff to create spaces that better support the way students learn today—and into the future.
Her team is also continually modernizing classroom technology at FRCC. Currently, they’re replacing aging smart boards with new interactive displays, making classrooms easier to use while keeping pace with changing technology.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, travel is one of her biggest passions.
“I’ve either just come back from a trip or I’m planning my next trip, or both,” she says.
Recent adventures have included Paris and Ireland. Her trip to the Emerald Isle remains especially memorable—not only for the lush Irish scenery, but for the kindness of the people she met along the way.
Her future travel wish list includes Germany, Australia and Italy.
Advice for Students
As a nontraditional student who attended Front Range herself while working full time and raising a family, Roxanne understands that there is no single path to earning a degree. She was 32 when she earned her bachelor’s degree.
“I was going to be that age anyway; I figured I’d rather be that age and have a degree behind me,” she says.
She encourages students to think creatively about paying for college, including pursuing employers that offer tuition reimbursement, an approach that helped her avoid student loans while earning her degree.
Her overall message to students is simple: Every step forward counts, and there are often more pathways to success than people realize.
