Colorado colleges tap NYC program to get homegrown talent into good jobs
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Colorado educators are hoping that a successful accelerated degree program known as ASAP, grown at City University of New York, will take root in two of the state's rural community colleges.
Yesenia Silve, chief of staff of Estrada with Colorado Mountain College, said the program offers financial support that's not limited to tuition, books and fees that can help students in Summit County facing unique challenges cross the finish line.
"The ASAP model looks at other barriers such as the high cost of living, or child care or transportation - which in our rural communities, the cost of transporting from point A to point B looks very different," she explained.
Before ASAP, just 13 percent of participating students in New York completed degrees. Today, four in ten graduate. Just a third of Colorado community college students graduate within three years, according to Chalkbeat Colorado, which is slightly above the national graduation rate of 29 percent.
Colorado is investing $10 million over four years on ASAP at Colorado Mountain and Lamar community colleges, along with other workforce development initiatives. The program is also seeking matching funding from private sources.
Estrada said securing a degree starts by connecting students with counselors to identify the right career, and the academic path to get there.
"Advising them on what are some of their career goals that eventually will lead to a good job in their community. The goal here is to have students complete their associate's degree in three years or less," she added.
Counselors will also monitor grades and attendance to help students get tutoring and other supports to help them stay the course. Estrada said completing a degree or credential beyond high school is key for launching a career that pays a living wage. Nearly 75 percent of all jobs in Colorado, and 95 percent of top-earning jobs, require a credential or degree.
"Institutions like Colorado Mountain College are fully dedicated to revitalizing our rural communities, connecting this homegrown talent to the good jobs in rural communities," she continued.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
