May 27, 2026
Aurora, Colo. – The Community College of Aurora Foundation (CCAF) received a $75,000 grant from Philip Morris International U.S. (PMI U.S.) to expand workforce training opportunities at the Community College of Aurora (CCA). The investment will create additional pathways for adult learners age 21 and older in Aurora and surrounding communities to earn industry-recognized credentials aligned with regional workforce needs.
At PMI U.S., we believe in expanding access to opportunity,
said Hernan Albamonte, Director of Government Affairs. This grant reflects our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve, while helping prepare the next generation with the skills they need to succeed.
The funding intends to strengthen access to workforce credentials that align directly with employer demand and accelerate pathways into living-wage careers. Of the total grant, $50,000 will support this expansion of short-term credential programs.
The partnership with PMI U.S. shows tremendous investment in our community and our workforce programming,
said CCA Provost and Vice President of Academic Success Dr. Bobby Pace. The focus on adult learners who are 21 and older is especially important because these learners are typically those looking to up-skill and need rapid re-entry into the workforce. Being able to support their needs in alignment with our local employers is key to ensuring a talent pipeline for both learners and workforce.
Of the remaining grant funding, $10,000 sponsored the recent College Beyond Walls Luncheon and the remaining $15,000 will go to CCAF’s Workforce Learner Support Fund. That fund will provide wellness resources and career coaching designed to help adult learners overcome barriers that can interrupt educational progress. These targeted learning supports create a sense of belonging and learner engagement with the broader college community, establishing a long-term relationship with the college for future upskilling and continued career advancement.
We are incredibly grateful to PMI U.S.’s commitment to workforce readiness,
said Katlynn Del Dotto, Interim Executive Director of the Foundation. One of our goals at the CCA Foundation is to be the philanthropic partner that brings together CCA and our local businesses so we may work in tandem to create a workforce of Coloradans ready to work for companies in their own backyard.
As Colorado employers continue to seek skilled talent across high-demand industries, investments like this help remove barriers for adult learners, accelerate workforce preparation and strengthen the connection between education and employment. Through partnerships with industry leaders and philanthropic supporters, CCA and CCAF remain committed to building pathways that create opportunity, advance economic mobility and support long-term workforce success across the region.
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 Community College of Aurora Foundation
The Community College of Aurora Foundation (CCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing student success and high-quality education at CCA. The Foundation raises philanthropic resources, forges community and industry partnerships, and cultivates donor engagement. CCAF is committed to stewarding contributions with integrity and transparency, guided by the vision to support CCA in being the college where every student succeeds. For more information, visit www.auroragives.org.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]