AURORA, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is proud to announce the launch of its Nursing Education Program, a major step forward in advancing Colorado’s healthcare industry and creating employment opportunities for residents.
The Colorado State Board of Nursing gave interim approval to continue the development of the Nursing Education Program, which will welcome its first cohort of students in the fall of 2025. Through this initiative, students will be able to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS/ADN). The program will prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse.
CCA President, Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee said, “Today, we proudly mark a historic milestone at the Community College of Aurora—the launch of our Associate Degree in Nursing program. This moment reflects the power of intentionality, collaboration, and our unwavering commitment to building a healthier, more equitable future. At CCA, we are not just preparing nurses—we are empowering changemakers for the communities that need them most.”
The Nursing Education Program has received approval of Phase 1 and Phase 2 from the Colorado State Board of Nursing (CBSON) and will complete Phase 3 of the requirements of the CBSON when the first cohort of students have graduated. Following the graduation of the first cohort, the Nursing Education Program will seek national nursing accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Backed by a grant from the state of Colorado, the new Nursing Education Program is designed to help alleviate the state’s ongoing nursing shortage by producing well-trained, workforce-ready nurses. Students will be admitted into a traditional nursing curriculum and will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS/ADN).
“As a nursing graduate and alumni from the Colorado Community College System, it has been an honor to be in this position and to develop the first Nursing Education Program at the Community College of Aurora,” said Interim Director of Nursing Education, Siri Morken MSN RN. “It’s a full-circle moment, giving back to the Colorado Community College community that gave so much to me. We are beyond excited to accept our first cohort this fall with the opening of a new building. It is a space where future nurses will learn, grow, and discover their purpose. I am honored to be part of this next chapter, helping to guide and inspire the next generation of nurses.”
CCA is making significant strides in its academic offerings across the board. The college will open the doors to the new Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders this fall. This is the college’s third and newest campus, which expands its reach into surrounding communities, providing critical training for in-demand careers in the healthcare field.
Join CCA in making history by being part of the first Nursing Education Program to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse. To learn more about CCA’s Nursing Education Program, and apply, visit ccaurora.edu/nursing.
About the Community College of Aurora:
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on two (2) campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent-enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]