Simpson brings decades of higher education experience to the college’s top leadership position.
Colleen Simpson, Ed.D., is taking the reins as president of Colorado’s largest community college this month. Dr. Simpson stepped into the top leadership role at Front Range Community College on August 1, following the retirement of longtime president Andy Dorsey.
Simpson’s experience in higher education runs broad and deep—and she brings with her a strong focus on student success, innovation, workforce development and inclusive excellence.
“It is already so clear to me that the entire team here is enthusiastically dedicated to FRCC’s academic excellence, to our students’ success and to our mission of enriching lives through learning,” Simpson says. “The college is making a difference every day in the lives of almost 28,000 local students. I am excited and honored to join this inclusive and vibrant college community.”
Simpson’s decades of higher education experience have included work in enrollment management, student affairs, academic affairs, teaching and leadership. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.
“I am deeply honored to take on this leadership role at Front Range Community College,” Simpson adds. “As president, I will continue to live the values of service, integrity, transparency and inclusiveness in decision making,” said Dr. Simpson.
Most recently, she served as the vice president of student services and regional learning centers at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. In that role, she oversaw multiple campuses and five regional learning centers—with a focus on:
- leading academic innovation
- designing “student-ready” experiences
- addressing the educational, economic and workforce development needs of the region
Prior to her tenure in Wisconsin, Simpson worked at Bronx Community College—part of the City University of New York (CUNY)—as the administrator overseeing retention and student success. CUNY is the largest urban university system in the U.S.
There she led and managed a comprehensive program of services that:
- promoted access to education
- kept students engaged and in college
- helped students complete their degree or credential
Simpson earned her doctoral degree (EdD) in educational leadership, administration and policy from Fordham University. She earned both her master’s degree (MSEd) in higher education administration and her bachelor’s degree (BBA) in international marketing from Baruch College (also part of the CUNY system).
About Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College offers 200 degrees and certificates in a wide variety of programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County and Westminster—as well as online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 138,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 39 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
