CCA RECEIVES A $22,440 GRANT TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH TRANSIT RIDES

Aurora, CO –  The Community College of Aurora’s (CCA) Office of Student Advocacy, along with its Foundation, is pleased to announce its receipt of a Transit Assistance Grant (TAG) of $22,440 for ride ticket books. 

This new grant, administered through Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), solidifies CCA’s commitment to support individuals who need a reliable transportation option to get to campus. It provides 816 standard 10-ride ticket books, each valued at $27.50.

CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee celebrated the grant and its impact on creating equitable access “On behalf of CCA, I want to express our deepest appreciation for all those involved in selecting our institution to receive these funds. Our students deserve the ability to attend our institution free from challenges, such as the lack of reliable transportation, that present barriers to their pursuit of economic mobility. Resources such as these aid in removing another barrier.”

Senior Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Student Success, Dra. Reyna Anaya, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, stating, “At CCA, we strive to be the college where everyone succeeds. In doing so, that means we address barriers that impact student success outside the classroom. By partnering with organizations such as RTD, we can eliminate stressors for students so they can remain focused on their educational and career goals. We are thrilled about this award and the high impact it will have in providing supplemental transportation security to 800-plus students.”

RTD set aside $1million for the TAG program. The new grant program was launched in response to the 2023 Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis. The agency received 211 applications for TAG funding and awarded approximately 85 percent of applicants. In total, Denver RTD selected 181 organizations to receive a grant. 

“CCA’s Student Advocacy team uses a proactive approach in supporting students. In our conversations with students, the team identified a need and researched options for support and stumbled upon the Transit Assistance Grant through RTD,” said Megan Cuddihee Dempsey, Assistant Director, Office of Student Advocacy. “This assistance helps close the gap in transportation security at CCA where 20% of CCA students reported missing class or being late half the time or more due to lack of transportation to campus or between our CentreTech and Lowry campuses in our 2023 Basic Needs Assessment.”

Debra A. Johnson, Denver RTD general manager and CEO, added, “Public transportation is the great societal equalizer, enabling people to get where they need to go when they need to get there,” said. “This inaugural program was intentionally designed to meet pressing and urgent needs in the community, whether that be immediate access to essential services or assisting during times of crisis, supporting the unhoused or aiding newcomers to the metro area. As a partner whose work has a direct effect on the overall health of the region, Denver RTD approached this program guided foremost by fairness and equity.”

The Student Advocacy Office is available for in-person, virtual and phone meetings. For more information, call 303-360-4771 or email [email protected].