One of the important roles that your Chamber plays in this community is that of champion.  As a champion, we are devoted to making our community a great place to live, work and raise families. But we don’t do this work alone. We collaborate with various public and private partners to find solutions and opportunities.  One of those important partners is Front Range Community College. We are thrilled to introduce to the community the new president for FRCCC.

NEW PRESIDENT TAKES THE HELM AT FRCC

Simpson brings decades of higher education experience to the college’s top leadership position.

Colleen Simpson, Ed.D., is taking the reins as president of Colorado’s largest community college this month. Dr. Simpson stepped into the top leadership role at Front Range Community College on August 1, following the retirement of longtime president Andy Dorsey.

Simpson’s experience in higher education runs broad and deep—and she brings with her a strong focus on student success, innovation, workforce development and inclusive excellence.

“It is already so clear to me that the entire team here is enthusiastically dedicated to FRCC’s academic excellence, to our students’ success and to our mission of enriching lives through learning,” Simpson says. “The college is making a difference every day in the lives of almost 28,000 local students. I am excited and honored to join this inclusive and vibrant college community.”

Simpson’s decades of higher education experience have included work in enrollment management, student affairs, academic affairs, teaching and leadership. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.

“I am deeply honored to take on this leadership role at Front Range Community College,” Simpson adds. “As president, I will continue to live the values of service, integrity, transparency and inclusiveness in decision making,” said Dr. Simpson.

Most recently, she served as the vice president of student services and regional learning centers at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. In that role, she oversaw multiple campuses and five regional learning centers—with a focus on:

• • leading academic innovation
  • designing “student-ready” experiences
  • addressing the educational, economic and workforce development needs of the region

Prior to her tenure in Wisconsin, Simpson worked at Bronx Community College—part of the City University of New York (CUNY)—as the administrator overseeing retention and student success. CUNY is the largest urban university system in the U.S.

There she led and managed a comprehensive program of services that:

• • promoted access to education
  • kept students engaged and in college
  • helped students complete their degree or credential

Simpson earned her doctoral degree (EdD) in educational leadership, administration and policy from Fordham University. She earned both her master’s degree (MSEd) in higher education administration and her bachelor’s degree (BBA) in international marketing from Baruch College (also part of the CUNY system).

Shout Out:

The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to be a sponsor for Women of Distinction last week.  We joined in the celebration of women committed to our community and who exemplify the best of success.  Hats off to the 2022 BizWest Women of Distinction–you inspire us!  Congratulations Nancy Teksten, Lindsey Galindo, Ginger Graham, Brenda Hager, Kelly DiMartino, Margo Karsten, Cindi Hammond, Nancy Haboush and Ashley Stiles!