First-generation college student Leah Shipley mentors other FRCC students as a TRIO Student Support Services peer mentor.
Editor’s Note: February 22, 2025, is National TRIO Day, which celebrates TRIO programs and raises awareness about the importance of educational opportunity for low-income and first-generation students, as well as those with disabilities. Learn more about FRCC’s TRIO programs.
Front Range Community College is Leah Shipley’s first college experience… and it has greatly exceeded her expectations.
The oldest of six children, this rural Ohio native was homeschooled her entire life and discouraged from pursuing a college education. “Having a career wasn’t looked upon positively in the environment I grew up in,” Leah recalls. “So, I wasn’t expected to go to college and never thought that was an option.”
Leah finished high school in 2014 and worked in various jobs, including as a library assistant and a custodian at a museum. After years of questioning her upbringing and soul searching, Leah took the bold step in early 2020 to move to Wyoming to live with a friend. As she contemplated her future, she worked as a delivery driver for Instacart, Door Dash and Uber Eats.
A Lifechanging Roadside Encounter
That summer, one of Leah’s siblings came to visit, and the pair took a day trip to Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. On the way back to Wyoming, her car overheated, stranding Leah and her sibling on the side of the highway in an area without cell service.
Fortunately, a lone car pulled over. The driver was Glen Smith, a political science instructor at Front Range Community College’s Boulder County Campus.
“Glen was really nice, and he offered us a ride to the nearest gas station,” says Leah. They struck up a conversation, and upon learning a little about Leah’s recent life change, Glen encouraged her to check out classes at FRCC.
Contemplating a New Path
“I was feeling pretty lost at that time, and maybe he could tell, because he told me to contact him if I ever needed help,” Leah says. Once back to Wyoming, she continued thinking about college, and she took Glen up on his offer to answer any questions.
“We stayed in touch, and I visited Longmont later that year,” she remembers. “I met Glen again and he introduced me to his wife and daughter. They were the ones who made me want to go to college.”
Taking the Leap
In 2022, Leah moved to Longmont. She took the year to find work and get settled and enrolled at FRCC for the fall 2023 semester.
Glen directed Leah to the right resources on the Boulder County Campus, introducing her to an academic advisor. He also told her about TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), one of eight federal TRIO programs that provide outreach and student services to first-generation college students, individuals with disabilities and low-income individuals. Front Range offers three TRIO programs: SSS at the Boulder County Campus, SSS at the Westminster Campus, and the Upward Bound program for Westminster High School students.
Leah applied for TRIO SSS and was accepted into the program. “Going to college is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life—and of all the amazing things about FRCC, TRIO has been the most important factor in my success,” she says. “They paired me with a success coach, Beck Seren, who told me about scholarships, resources and opportunities.”
Becoming a Student Research Intern
One opportunity that TRIO put on Leah’s radar was the Research Experience for Community College Students program through the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.
She was accepted and spent the summer of 2024 working under a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Global Systems Laboratory in Boulder. Leah analyzed Alaskan cloud and visibility data from meteorological aerodrome reports and compared aviation climatology to seasonal weather patterns, She even got to present her research at the American Meteorological Society annual meeting in January 2025 in New Orleans.
Deciding What’s Next
As she nears completion of her Associate of Science degere with computer science designation this May, Leah is considering pursuing a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. (She has been accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Meteorology program at the Metropolitan State University of Denver).
“I haven’t decided yet exactly what path I’ll follow, but working at NOAA opened my eyes to the field of atmospheric science and helped me realize that I belong in weather forecasting or research,” Leah says. “I met a mentor through the experience too, which made a huge difference for me as a student.”
Inspired to Give Back to TRIO
When Leah returned to FRCC in fall 2024, she was more motivated than ever—and eager to give back to TRIO SSS.
“I applied for a work-study position to become a peer mentor at TRIO because I know what a difference mentors can make for students,” she says. Today, Leah manages a caseload of students, helping them navigate the college experience and directing them to resources.
Once an eligible student is accepted into the TRIO SSS program, they are assigned to a TRIO success coach who works closely with the student. They provide ongoing support and guidance through regular meetings and help them navigate academic challenges, set goals and connect with necessary resources to ensure their success.
Helping Other Students
Students also have the opportunity to get additional guidance from a TRIO SSS peer mentor who is part of the program—like Leah.
“Leah has really flourished during her time as a Front Range Community College student, and she has brought that same energy to her role as a TRIO SSS peer mentor since last fall,” says Angela Rodriguez, director at the Boulder County Campus.
“She has empathy and compassion—and most importantly, she’s all about fostering other students’ academic success,” Angela says. “Students really enjoy working with her because she’s kind and patient, and she listens and supports without judgment.”
Guiding Students Toward Graduation
Angela is an alumna of TRIO SSS herself, having participated in the program as an undergraduate student at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. She encourages students who think they might be eligible for TRIO SSS to reach out to FRCC’s TRIO staff to learn more.
“Our goal in TRIO Student Support Services is to support students in achieving their academic and personal success,” Angela says. “We are dedicated to helping students thrive in their education and we are currently accepting applications from new and continuing FRCC students.”
“We connect students to a wide range of resources and support, assisting with everything from securing internships and scholarships to career development,” she says.
Angela adds that her team guides students toward graduation from FRCC and helps them plan their transfer to four-year institutions to pursue bachelor’s degrees. “Along the way, TRIO SSS offers personalized academic advising, tutoring, financial literacy workshops and mentorship to help students overcome challenges and achieve their long-term goals,” she says.
Not Just a Place. A Community.
For Leah, TRIO SSS has provided more than just support. She has found a community of peers, friends and cheerleaders.
“I think of TRIO like I think of family…that’s how it feels to me when I’m there,” she says. “The TRIO staff members have helped me access the things I need to be successful, but they have also cheered me on.”
When Leah moves on to the next stop on her academic journey, it will be bittersweet. “I will miss everyone at FRCC,” she says. “The instructors, my academic advisor and the TRIO SSS staff… they’ve all been amazing.”
“I encourage students who may be eligible to apply for TRIO and see the opportunities it can lead to. For me, Front Range has been an excellent experience.”
