Front Range Community College Selected for National Program to Improve Student Completion Rates
Front Range Community College has been selected as the only Colorado institution to join the Complete College America Accelerator, a national initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to improve college completion rates and close equity gaps in higher education.
The program brings together 100 colleges and universities from 19 states to implement evidence-based strategies designed to help more students earn degrees and certificates. FRCC will receive funding and technical assistance to strengthen its data systems, assess institutional practices and scale proven approaches to boost graduation rates.
The selection validates FRCC's ongoing work to improve student outcomes through guided pathways, expanded advising and workforce partnerships developed over the past decade, according to college officials.
Colorado Community Colleges Face Persistent Completion Challenges
Colorado community colleges have struggled with completion rates that lag behind national averages and state workforce needs. System-wide three-year credential completion rates for Colorado Community College System schools ranged from approximately 20 to 28 percent between 2014 and 2022, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
FRCC maintains approximately a 35 percent three-year associate degree graduation rate for first-time, full-time students, according to state data. Those figures reflect common barriers facing community college students including financial insecurity, academic preparedness gaps, family and work responsibilities, and unclear career pathways.
The state has set a target for 66 percent of Colorado adults aged 25 to 34 to hold postsecondary credentials or degrees by 2030, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Recent data show the state at approximately 61 percent as of 2023, with persistent gaps by race, ethnicity and region.
FRCC President Colleen Simpson said the Complete College America partnership will help address those challenges through data-driven strategies. "We are building a stronger foundation for student success; one that uses data, innovation and collaboration to help every learner walk across the stage on graduation day," Simpson said in the announcement.
Evidence-Based Strategies Target Multiple Barriers
Through the accelerator program, FRCC will conduct institutional assessments and implement research-based strategies proven to improve completion rates. The initiative connects participating colleges to a network of experts who help institutions redesign practices and scale solutions that work.
Anne Marie Jacobson, FRCC's dean for social sciences, education and public service, said the program provides access to national expertise. "Our team is energized by the opportunity to exchange ideas, test new models and bring forward practices that make a tangible difference for students," Jacobson said.
The college has already implemented several completion-focused reforms in recent years. FRCC joined the national Pathways Project in 2017, creating major-specific program maps to streamline course selection and reduce confusion. The college doubled its number of academic advisors and launched a case-management model grouping students by career and academic interest communities.
Other initiatives include mandatory orientation for new students, expanded tutoring programs, online-specific advisors to address lower success rates in distance courses, and strengthened transfer partnerships with four-year institutions.
Regional Workforce Implications
Improved completion rates at FRCC directly affect Northern Colorado's ability to meet workforce demands in key sectors. Regional employers report persistent difficulty finding workers with technical skills in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction trades and information technology.
A labor market profile released by Larimer County in November documented over 1,100 healthcare vacancies, 950 advanced manufacturing openings and 760 skilled trades positions remaining unfilled across Larimer and Weld Counties. Most positions require associate degrees, workforce certificates or stackable technical credentials.
FRCC serves more than 27,000 students annually at multiple locations and through online programs, making it Colorado's largest community college. The Larimer campus location has been affected by recent concerns about transit service changes that could reduce route frequency.
The college maintains workforce partnerships through initiatives including P-TECH programs with regional school districts that connect students with paid internships and industry credentials. FRCC was also selected as Colorado's only participant in the Metallica Scholars Initiative in both 2023 and 2024, providing scholarships for students pursuing workforce training in advanced manufacturing and other technical fields.
Program Timeline and Next Steps
The Complete College America Accelerator launched in fall 2024 with participating institutions beginning assessments and planning phases. FRCC will work with Complete College America consultants to analyze institutional data, identify improvement opportunities and develop implementation plans for scaling effective practices.
The initiative aligns with FRCC's strategic plan "Forward, Together," which focuses on five priorities including learning without limits, success for every learner, vibrant culture, college excellence and transformational partnerships. The plan runs through 2030.
Alana Olschwang, FRCC's vice president for strategy and innovation, said the accelerator provides momentum for existing efforts. "This collaboration is more than a recognition of the work we've been doing—it's a catalyst," Olschwang said. "It positions our college to amplify what's working, learn from others and share our insights with colleges across the nation."
Complete College America was founded in 2009 with a mission to increase the number of Americans with quality career certificates or college degrees through evidence-based reforms that remove barriers to completion and improve equity.
For more information about FRCC programs and services, contact Alana Olschwang at [email protected] or visit frontrange.edu.