FRCC One of Six Colleges Nationwide Helping Improve Community College Bachelor’s Degrees
By Jessica Peterson
FRCC selected as Lead College in quality assessment of baccalaureate programs.
Front Range Community College is helping shape the national standard for community college baccalaureate education. Selected as one of only six Lead Colleges nationwide by the Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCBA), FRCC is helping define what high-quality, student-centered bachelor’s degree programs should look like—and how they deliver real value for learners and employers alike.
This designation positions FRCC as a national model for excellence, innovation and equitable student success. Through this initiative, the college will implement and test CCBA’s new Quality Framework for Community College Baccalaureate Programs and provide feedback on how to ensure it meets the needs of community college bachelor’s degree programming.
FRCC will leverage the framework to elevate the excellence of its already high-performing Bachelor of Science in nursing completion program—deepening workforce alignment, strengthening equity-driven student supports and embedding continuous improvement across program design and delivery. The result will be baccalaureate programs that are rigorous, relevant and intentionally built to help students thrive in today’s evolving economy.
“FRCC is proud to contribute our perspective and experience to help strengthen bachelor’s pathways at community colleges across the country,” said FRCC President Colleen Simpson, EdD. “Our participation in this collaborative effort demonstrates our institution’s commitment to student success and workforce readiness. By reviewing our program through the Quality Framework, we can identify areas for enhancement while contributing insights that will benefit colleges nationwide.”
Leading the Way
Engaging with the CCBA framework is an important opportunity for FRCC to strengthen the college’s five bachelor’s pathways, ensure quality and consistence and contribute to national conversations that benefit community colleges and their students.
“Being selected as a lead college is a testament to the high quality of our five bachelor’s degree programs—and to the dedication of our faculty and staff,” said FRCC’s Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Woulfe. “We look forward to using the CCBA Quality Framework to deepen our understanding of what’s working well, identify opportunities to enhance student outcomes and contribute insights that support community colleges across the country.”
“FRCC brings a strong record of innovation and academic quality to this initiative,” said Dr. Angela Kersenbrock, President of the Community College Baccalaureate Association. “The college’s leadership will play an important role in shaping the ongoing development of the Quality Framework and supporting colleges nationwide in strengthening baccalaureate pathways.”
As a lead college, FRCC will also collaborate with CCBA and peer institutions to share best practices, participate in national conversations about program quality and help refine indicators that support strong community college baccalaureate models nationwide.
Bachelor’s Degrees at FRCC
FRCC’s five bachelor’s degree programs prepare students for careers in the following fields:
Nursing
Business Administration
Geospatial Science (GIS)
Integrated Building Design
Creative Industries
Through hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum and flexible delivery formats, graduates leave our programs equipped with the knowledge and skills to launch successful careers immediately.