AURORA, Colo. – The Community College of Aurora (CCA) has been awarded the prestigious 2024 First Generation Serving Campus Designation by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE). This honor acknowledges the college’s commitment to enrolling and supporting first-generation students, furthering access to higher education and ensuring student success.
“More than half of Community College of Aurora students proudly identify as first-generation college students. At CCA, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of these trailblazers by preparing them not only to be first-generation graduates but also to thrive as successful first-generation career professionals,” said CCA President, Dr. Mordecai Brownlee. “This is the heart of our mission, and we are honored to support and celebrate the resilience and ambition of our first-gen community.”
The First Generation Serving Campus Designation is awarded annually to institutions whose average first-generation undergraduate student population equals or exceeds the statewide average or who have achieved rigorous third-party recognition, such as the First Scholars Network of Institutions designation from the Center for First Generation Student Success.
“The First Generation Serving Campus Designation acknowledges the great work your institution has already accomplished in the area of access,” said CDHE Executive Director Angie Paccione, in the official announcement to the college. “We are excited to see how Community College of Aurora will continue to expand high-impact practices to support first-generation students and create further opportunities for them to thrive, both academically and personally.”
This designation highlights CCA’s dedication to addressing gaps in equality and helping first-generation students pursue academic success. CDHE will continue to track and share data on student outcomes, including retention and graduation rates, to further elevate the experiences of first-generation students across the state.
Learn more about CCA and its academic offerings by clicking HERE.
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]