AURORA, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is proud to be officially recognized as a Certified Age Friendly Employer (CAFE) by the Age Friendly Institute (AFI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for older adults in the workplace.
CCA’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive workplace includes the hiring and retention of older adults. The school is the first higher education institution in the state of Colorado to achieve this milestone, a result of its current practices as well as its continued dedication to identifying areas of improvement to ensure an environment where all identities are welcomed, valued, and find community.
“This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where employees of all generations feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive,” said CCA President Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee. “At the Community College of Aurora, we believe that age diversity strengthens our organization by bringing together a wealth of perspectives and experiences that drive innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to equity and inclusion is reflected in our policies and practices, ensuring equal career growth and development opportunities, regardless of age.”
Erica Hines, Chief Human Resource and Personnel Success Officer, said the college aligns its hiring practices to serve adult learners, which includes serving those in their golden years.
“While the Aurora area itself has a younger population compared to the general aging population of the United States, we understand and celebrate the value of a diverse workforce and the wisdom that comes from having multi-generational skills to continue progressing the college toward our vision. Together, we know we will achieve more and be better able to serve any identity our students bring with them.”
Leaders say the school has seen multiple retirements in recent years, with some individuals returning for post-retirement assignments. This allows them to enjoy their retirement years while helping the college maintain and pass on historic knowledge in their fields.
AFI awards the designation to organizations that meet the following criteria:
- Value employees based on proficiency, qualifications, and contribution
- Maintain policies, practices, and programs supporting people aged 50+
- Value employee knowledge, maturity, reliability, and productivity
- Commit to meaningful employment, development opportunities, and competitive pay and benefits for employees aged 50+
According to a 2022 survey, AFI concluded that employees are more likely to stay with an employer designated as age-friendly.
Administrators say they will continue to work hard to ensure employees of all backgrounds have equal opportunities for career growth and development at CCA by implementing and improving age-friendly policies and practices.
Click HERE to learn more about CCA and its diverse population.
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]