Oct. 28, 2026
AURORA, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) was pleased to host Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday for a discussion focused on strengthening Colorado’s workforce and expanding opportunities for young adults to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
The visit highlighted the importance of connecting education, hands-on training and career pathways to address workforce shortages in critical fields, including nursing, behavioral health, education and public safety. Weiser also discussed ColoradoCorps, a proposed statewide initiative designed to connect young adults ages 18 to 26 with paid service opportunities, professional training, mentorship and career development in high-demand professions.
At the Community College of Aurora, we recognize that education is more than the attainment of a degree or credential. It is a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for economic mobility and a powerful investment in the future of our communities,
said Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, president of CCA. As Colorado continues to navigate workforce shortages in critical service professions, community colleges have an essential responsibility to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals. Through intentional partnerships, innovative academic pathways and our unwavering commitment to student success, we are not simply preparing students for jobs. We are empowering changemakers who will strengthen the communities they serve.
ColoradoCorps, as proposed, would build upon existing public service initiatives, including the Youth Mental Health Corps and Colorado Climate Corps, to create additional opportunities for young Coloradans to gain professional experience while serving their communities. The proposal emphasizes connecting education with paid work, mentorship and credentials that can support long-term career advancement.
Colorado’s future depends on our ability to connect young people with meaningful opportunities to serve their communities while building the skills they need to succeed,
Weiser said. From nursing and behavioral health to teaching and public safety, communities across our state need talented professionals who are ready to make a difference. Institutions like the Community College of Aurora demonstrate the important role education and workforce training play in preparing young Coloradans for these careers and helping build stronger communities.
Weiser speaks with CCA students during his visit to the Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders.
CCA continues to expand academic and workforce development pathways that respond to Colorado’s evolving labor market needs. In fall 2025, the college welcomed its inaugural cohort of nursing students, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals. The Nursing Education Program provides a pathway to an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and prepares graduates to pursue licensure as registered nurses.
The college has also expanded its behavioral health academic offerings, providing stackable credentials and educational pathways that support entry into the workforce and continued advancement toward associate and bachelor’s degrees. Through innovative learning technologies, including artificial intelligence-based clinical simulations, behavioral health students can practice essential skills such as therapeutic communication, active listening and critical thinking in flexible, real-world learning scenarios.
In addition, CCA’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Elementary Education pathway, developed in collaboration with Cherry Creek School District, incorporates more than 4,000 hours of mentored classroom teaching and an earn-while-you-learn model designed to help prepare future educators while addressing workforce needs.
These academic offerings complement CCA’s broader investments in workforce development, including its Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders, which expands access to education and training for high-demand healthcare and public service professions.
CCA’s campus in Centennial includes learning technologies and spaces designed to train students for healthcare and first responders professions.
As Colorado continues to confront workforce challenges, CCA remains committed to strengthening connections among higher education, employers and community partners to create accessible educational pathways that lead to meaningful employment, economic mobility and long-term community impact.
The visit underscored the essential role community colleges play in preparing a skilled workforce and connecting students with opportunities to contribute to the health, safety and economic vitality of their communities. Through continued innovation, workforce-aligned education and strategic partnerships, CCA is working to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and support necessary to succeed while helping build a stronger future for Colorado.
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.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]