CCA Staff Recognized at CCHS/CR Annual Conference

The Colorado Council on High School and College Relations (CCHS/CR) recently recognized two Community College of Aurora (CCA) staff members at its annual conference. The organization seeks to bridge the gap between high school counselors and college admission professionals to work together to help educate and assist students in achieving their higher educational goals.

Maia Vaughan, College Recruiter for Special Populations, was awarded the Service to the Council Award which honors her incredible contributions to the council. Vaughan has served on multiple committees with the conference and this award recognizes her significant work in helping connect students to education through her work at the council.

Amber Mekelburg and Ashly Carrera of the CCHS/CR nominated Vaughan for the Service to Council award. In the nomination they wrote, “She worked so hard on the presentation used during each of the updates, and stepped in to help lead a breakout session at multiple workshops when we needed assistance. She is kind and always willing to lend a hand.”

Vaughan has been involved with the CCHS/CR for three years. During her first two years, the majority of her involvement was with tabling at the day and evening fairs to recruit high school students. Alongside this, each fall the Council hosts update events where high school counselors gather to hear from colleges and universities about the exciting new programs and updates at each institution. She gave updates for the past three years on behalf of the university she previously worked for, and now represents CCA.

“This year, I wanted to become even more involved, so I volunteered for the subcommittee that plans the Colorado Council Update events,” said Vaughan. “My role specifically included reaching out to every higher education institution in Colorado, as well as scholarship programs and the Department of Higher Education, to gather the updates they wanted to include in their slides. I also volunteered to lead a breakout session during the update event to help college and university professionals connect with high school professionals. Being nominated for this recognition definitely took me by surprise, and I am incredibly grateful to have been thought of for this award. It truly means so much to me. I’m excited to continue getting more involved with the CCHS/CR.”

Mason Jenkins, Assistant Director of Special Populations, was nominated as the President-Elect of CCHS/CR. He has served with the organization for the past two years, primarily as a committee member on the day/evening fair committee. The day/evening fair circuit that the CCHS/CR helps organize every year is one of the pillars of the organization and helps connect colleges and high schools all across Colorado. 

“It’s incredibly hard to convey how much this appointment means to me. I care so much about the students that we serve here at CCA, but I care just as much about all of the students that we serve in higher education here in Colorado,” said Jenkins. “I care about the educators and all of the folks who work in higher education who help contribute to students at all educational levels. I hope being elected to president will allow me to advance and share a vision of increased mutual collaboration, access to education and enthusiasm with more people. I think education is something that we should be excited about and as much as I can I hope to bring an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm and hope about the future that we all can create for our students and those we work alongside”