Oct. 10, 2025
Aurora, CO – Yesterday, leaders from the Community College of Aurora (CCA), Aurora Public Schools (APS) and the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) came together on advancing educational pathways. CU Denver Chancellor Dr. Kenneth T. Christensen and APS Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding that guarantees automatic admission to CU Denver for high-achieving APS high school students. CCA supported the partnership as a way to strengthen the pathway for its high school students in concurrent enrollment programs.
The agreement guarantees admission to CU Denver for APS junior-year high school students who earn a weighted grade point average of 3.0. Seniors will earn admission with a weighted or unweighted grade point average of 3.0.
Institutions Become Steps in a Pathway
After signing the memorandum, CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee and Dr. Bobby Pace, the college’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Success, brought the region’s higher education leaders to CCA’s Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders. They toured the campus to see a real-world example of CCA’s work in creating clear pathways from high school to higher education and on to the workforce. It’s home to CCA’s Health Science and Public Safety programs—including Nursing, EMT, Paramedic, Fire Science, Behavioral Health, and Phlebotomy.
“We understand, as a community of educators, the need to create true pathways towards economic mobility,” Dr. Brownlee said. “It’s important to work with CU Denver and their system and APS to create opportunities for our communities because they deserve them.”
CCA’s concurrent enrollment program offers students a head start in that pathway, and yesterday’s institutional alignment wasn’t CCA’s first. Earlier this year, CCA worked with APS to establish the first-ever health science high school in Aurora – a similar collaboration with UC Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz.
Education Drives Economic Mobility
For families and individuals, clear education pathways lead to higher paying jobs. Dr. Christensen understands the role of education in supporting the local economy.
“Denver and Colorado have historically been importing talent to meet their workforce needs,” Dr. Christensen said. “We see an opportunity as three public institutions to help develop that workforce talent here, with residents of Colorado, and allow them to be the solutions to the workforce needs of the region. At the same time, they’ll experience the social mobility benefit that occurs with the pursuit of further education and entering the workforce with those learned skills.”
The APS partnership with CU Denver incentivizes high school students to continue their education by reducing barriers to higher education. When high-achieving students earn their admission to a four-year university, they are one step closer to financial help and scholarships that used to exist behind a college application.
“It’s no secret that financial resources are shifting. These efforts allow us to pool resources in service to our community,” Giles said. “The goal is that people who are born here in this community are getting the education, the access, and the pathways they need. They’ll be able to walk away with credentials so that they can come back and contribute to the community and have a meaningful living.”
The admissions agreement went into effect immediately upon signing.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, 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 three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
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 bachelor’s, 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 Aurora Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools (APS) serves one of Colorado’s most diverse and dynamic communities, educating more than 38,000 students across Aurora. With a mission to ensure every student shapes a successful future, APS offers innovative learning pathways, college and career readiness programs, and partnerships that support students from early childhood through graduation. The district is committed to equity, access, and opportunity for all learners. Learn more at aurorak12.org.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]