Aims Community College Opens 2026 Distinguished Fellow Nominations

Aims Community College's Board of Trustees is accepting public nominations through Feb. 28 for its 2026 Distinguished Fellow Award, one of the college's most prestigious community honors recognizing extraordinary service to Aims and northern Colorado.

"Aims depends on community leaders who model integrity, service and a genuine commitment to learning," said Marilyn Schock, Chair of the Aims Board of Trustees. "This award is our way of honoring that leadership."

Randy Souther, a 36-year Aims faculty member and Director of the Public Safety Institute, was named the 2024 Distinguished Fellow. Last year, the award went to Lyle Achziger, a Vietnam veteran, former Aims educator, and former Mayor of Evans who also served on the Aims Board of Trustees.

Presented annually by the Aims Board of Trustees, the Distinguished Fellow Award honors a community member's extraordinary commitment and contributions to the mission and goals of Aims Community College. The award was established in 2005 and has honored 51 recipients through 2025.

The honor celebrates leaders from Weld and northern Larimer counties—the core of Aims' service area.

An ideal Distinguished Fellow demonstrates a long-standing effort to advance Aims and higher education while championing students and learning. Recipients have strengthened Aims' standing in the region and serve as examples to students and staff.

Eligible nominees include community members, former Board of Trustees members, former Aims Foundation Board members, former Aims employees, and legislators. Current Aims employees and sitting Board members are ineligible.

The Board will select the recipient at its April meeting and present the award at spring commencement in May.

Submit nominations online at aims.co/distinguished-fellow by Feb. 28.