AURORA, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is joining a list of other esteemed institutions in partnering with the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) on a NASA grant aimed at increasing the participation of underrepresented students in electrical engineering and technology in Colorado.
NASA awarded CU Denver a $1.2 million Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) grant. NASA’s MUREP Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES), in partnership with the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) INCLUDES network, awards these grants with the goal of bringing diversity to the field of engineering. Only six of these grants were awarded, totaling more than $7 million.
“The Community College of Aurora is honored to partner with CU Denver to open doors in engineering and technology for our diverse student communities,” said CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee. “Together, we’re building pathways that equip students with high-demand skills while celebrating their unique backgrounds. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to transformative fields and preparing a workforce that uplifts the diversity of our communities.”
CU Denver will create summer camps to help spark interest in the program among high school students. Those attending the camp, along with other interested students, will be eligible for high school engineering courses aligned to NASA missions that can count toward college credit. Leaders say a key element of the program is connecting students with engineering curriculum relevant to the space industry, with a focus on serving a diverse student population.
The project was helmed by CU Denver College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC) professor of electrical engineering Jaedo Park, PhD, and School of Education & Human Development associate professor of research and evaluation methods, Kent Seidel, PhD.
“It’s no secret that many underrepresented students often face systemic disadvantages like insufficient academic preparation, lack of role models, and limited access to advanced STEM courses,” said Park. “Our project addresses these issues by introducing hands-on engineering activities in high schools to spark an interest in STEM. By using evidence-based strategies from experiential learning theory and active project-based learning, we aim to enhance STEM interest and skills among our students. The program will use authentic engineering projects related to NASA missions to inspire, motivate, and identify the next generation of engineers.”
Other educational organizations partnering with CU Denver include Metropolitan State University of Denver, Aurora Public Schools, and Westminster Public Schools.
As Colorado’s most diverse college, CCA is a logical choice for this partnership. The college is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority Serving Institution (MSI), serving a vastly diverse population in Aurora from over 60 countries.
Beyond this partnership, CCA is taking many other steps to become a leader in training the next generation of STEM workers in Colorado. The school’s Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) is set to open in the fall of 2025. The Center will house many of the school’s STEM-focused programs. Around the same time, CCA is poised to open its third campus in Centennial, which will house its nursing program.
To learn more about CCA and its academic programs, click HERE. To read the full news release from CU Denver, click HERE.
About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelors, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu
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]