Krishna Pattisapu, PhD, will represent Colorado’s community colleges as the state develops standards and criteria for designation.
Colorado’s effort to recognize thriving colleges and universities will draw on expertise developed at Front Range Community College. Associate Vice President Krishna Pattisapu, PhD, has been appointed to the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Advisory Committee on Thriving Institution Outcomes.
As the committee’s community college representative, Pattisapu will help guide how the state recognizes public colleges and universities that demonstrate strong performance for historically underserved students.
Established under House Bill 26-1006, the committee will help develop outcome standards, recognition criteria and continuous improvement measures for the new designation. The legislation seeks to improve outcomes for historically underserved students and recognizes institutional performance based on student success, including persistence, degree completion and workforce outcomes.
“I love that Colorado is taking on this conversation,” Pattisapu said. “Regardless of what’s happening in the broader context, we know we’re responsible and accountable to our students. This committee gives us an opportunity to create meaningful measures of success and a framework that helps us continuously improve how we serve students.”
Success for Every Learner
Pattisapu’s appointment reflects FRCC’s growing role in advancing student success and institutional effectiveness. Through initiatives focused on student outcomes, belonging and Hispanic-Serving Institution readiness, the college has developed approaches that connect student experiences, data-informed decision making and continuous improvement.
At FRCC, Pattisapu leads PRISM (Purpose, Respect, Inclusion, Servingness, and Mobility), a department dedicated to advancing equity, inclusive excellence and student opportunities.
“One of the values that guides my work is thinking about people beyond one dimension of their identity,” Pattisapu said. “I hope to bring that lens to the committee so we don’t treat any group of students as a monolith. We need to consider who individual students are, how their experiences differ and what institutions can do to help each of them thrive.”
FRCC President Colleen Simpson, EdD, said Pattisapu’s background will bring an important student-centered perspective to the statewide effort.
Thriving Institutions
“This work is about more than a designation,” Simpson said. “It’s about understanding what helps students persist, succeed and thrive, and then doing more of it. Krishna has helped lead that work at Front Range, and I’m glad that experience will help inform Colorado’s framework for recognizing thriving institutions.”
The advisory committee comprises representatives from higher education, research, business and community organizations to help define how Colorado measures and recognizes thriving institutions.
“I am grateful for the expertise and dedication each member brings to this effort and optimistic about the ideas that will emerge,” said CDHE Executive Director JB Holston.
For more information about the Thriving Institution designation and House Bill 26-1006, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Thriving Institution Designations page.
About Front Range Community College
FRCC is Colorado’s largest community college, serving more than 28,000 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 and Transformational Partnerships.
FRCC is proud to be part of the Colorado Community College System, advancing educational access and workforce development across the state.
