cca presidential search

Community College of Aurora

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About the CollegeThe Community College of Aurora takes education

to a whole new level, combining solid theory with

practical training. With this approach, CCA equips

students with relevant learning for life that goes

beyond the book. Students graduate from the

college’s cutting-edge programs ready to move to

the next step in their lives, whether they transfer to

a four-year institution or begin a new career.

Located in Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city,

CCA serves more than 425,000 residents in a 350

square-mile service area that spans portions of

three counties (Arapahoe, Adams, and Denver). The

service area includes Aurora, eastern Denver, some

southern suburban communities, and part of the

eastern plains.

CCA’s two campuses, CentreTech and Lowry, are

home to more than 14,000 students annually.

Both facilities are equipped with the latest

technologies, allowing students to study new

and traditional programs.

CCA, founded in 1983, attracts a diverse population

of students of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds,

and ethnicities reflecting the surrounding

communities. In the last decade, CCA’s focus

to serve the diverse population has resulted in

double the number of students of color, student

representation of five continents and more than 100

countries, and the provision of English as a Second

Language (ESL) classes for both community and

pre-collegiate programs.

CCA has a vibrant veterans and military community,

and the college is committed to helping students

with a military connection reach their educational

goals. A neighbor to Buckley Air Force Base, CCA

nurtures an ongoing collaboration whereby military

members, as well as their spouses and dependents,

are offered educational opportunities at the college.

CCA’s growing partnership with Aurora Public

Schools and Cherry Creek Schools has exceeded

expectations for concurrent enrollment. Students

receive both high school and college credit for

successful completion of core courses. This rigorous

program not only increases college awareness but

college participation. Classes are held on CCA’s

campuses and in local high schools.

Mission StatementThe Community College of Aurora provides lifelong educational

opportunities, prepares the current and future workforce, and

promotes excellence in teaching, learning and service to our

diverse community.

VisionThe Community College of Aurora aspires to be the college

of choice for the eastern metro region.

ValuesRespect, Collaboration, Quality, Access,

Diversity, Inclusion

Strategic Goals• Increase student retention, completion, and transfer rates.

• Continually improve student learning.

• Increase student enrollment.

• Strengthen human resources.

• Strengthen the college’s visibility and community relations.

CCA and AccreditationThe Community College of Aurora is accredited by the

Commission of Institutions of Higher Education of the North

Central Association of Colleges and Schools. CCA has been

accredited by the HLC since 1988.

CCA participates in the HLC’s Program to Evaluate and Advance

Quality (PEAQ), one avenue for maintaining accreditation. CCA’s

next peer review team visit is scheduled for April 2013.

CCA ExpansionThe CCA Foundation has launched a capital campaign

titled “Transforming Lowry, Transforming Lives” to raise

funds and provide resources for expansion and remodel

of the facilities on the Lowry campus. Phase I was recently

completed adding a beautiful student services center and

a new entryway to the campus, which ensures accessible

services for students and community at Lowry. Fundraising

for Phase II is currently underway.


Colorado Film SchoolThis year the CCA’s Colorado Film School (CFS) was named to list of “25 Best Film Schools in

the World” by The Hollywood Reporter. CFS is on the list alongside prestigious institutions

such as the American Film Institute, University of Southern California, UCLA, Syracuse

University, Columbia University, Stanford, and the Beijing Film Academy. The Colorado Film

School has also been highlighted recently in International Cinematographers Guild (ICG)

Magazine as one of the “superlative” film programs in the nation. Many students opt to take

advantage of the School’s partnership with Regis University, in which they can seamlessly

transfer to the four-year institution for a bachelor of fine arts degree.

Center for SimulationCCA’s Disaster Management Institute (DMI) of Colorado features a fully functional Emergency

Operations Center to train CCA students and working professionals alike to manage

simulated disasters of all types and sizes. The Institute serves as a model for interagency

collaboration, workforce training and development, and is key to CCA’s Center for Simulation

and Public Service programs. The facility employs some of the most advanced technology

available offering realistic environments to train first responders, on-scene commanders, and

incident command teams.

Integrated Nursing Pathways

CCA and the University of Colorado College of Nursing offer a unique, integrated pathway

to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Students earn an Associate of General Studies from

Community College of Aurora within the program. The Integrated Nursing Pathway program

provides outstanding preparation for professional nursing practice. Students admitted into

the Integrated Nursing Pathway receive the best education from nationally recognized

institutions. CCA is noted for innovative programs in science and for providing support

services for its exceptionally diverse community. University of Colorado’s College of Nursing

is ranked 15th among nearly 100 programs in the country.

Signature Programs

CCA is small enough to get to know students, and big enough to offer numerous courses of

study to meet educational goals. CCA signature programs include:

• Nationally recognized Emergency Medical Service program

• American Bar Association approved Paralegal program

• Colorado Film School, ranked 25th best film school in the world

• Fast-Track Computer Science, Web Design, and Business programs

• Prominent Science programs lead to degree programs at the University of Colorado

Health Science Center on the Anschutz Campus

• Bioscience program meets growing demand in leading industry in Colorado

• Innovative programs in remedial education

Opportunities of a Lifetime In June, five CCA students participated in a project designed to help NASA scientists to

research the effects of long-term exposure to zero-gravity for astronauts and other living

things. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the students flew on the KC-135 aircraft, which

simulates flight in space.

Established as the original permanent location of the Community College

of Aurora, the CentreTech Campus is nestled in a welcoming, picturesque

neighborhood on the east side of the Highline Canal in central Aurora. The

CentreTech Campus has a small college campus environment and is home

to many of the college’s general studies programs, such as history, English,

mathematics, anthropology, psychology, teacher education, philosophy and

sociology. The CentreTech campus is home to the college’s performing arts

and theatre programs as well as the college’s Student Centre.

CentreTech Campus 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway Aurora, CO 80011-9036 303.360.4700

Once home of the United States Air Force Academy, CCA’s Lowry Campus

is transforming the look and feel of the western boundary of “Original

Aurora.” This dynamic campus houses truly cutting-edge facilities including

the Colorado Film School and the Center for Simulation. Supporting nearly

45% of the total student population, the Lowry Campus is the primary

location for the College’s lab sciences, health science programs, business and

computer science programs, Aurora Language Center, and the School of Art

and Media. At Lowry, the once bleak airplane hangars, officers’ quarters, and

military buildings have been redeveloped into a thriving urban community

and college campus.

Lowry Campus 710 Alton Way Denver, CO 80230 303.340.7093


About AuroraOnce a budding frontier town of farmers and ranchers just east of

the state’s capital, Aurora today is Colorado’s third largest city where

people come together to experience recreational adventures, food

of another culture, artistic interludes or just plain relaxation.

Aurora is a strategically located hub for commerce and industry

on the eastern edge of the metro area. Interstates 70 and E-470

have evolved into significant business and industry magnets, with

thousands of acres in business parks hosting major distribution

centers for some of the country’s top companies.

Only minutes away from Denver International Airport, the city

is home to more than 10,400 businesses, and public and private

sector employment amounts to roughly 101,000 people. Aurora is

home to a vibrant business environment, including major industries

such as aerospace, military, high-tech, biotechnology, healthcare,

distribution and manufacturing.

With a highly educated workforce of whom more than 30 percent

are college graduates, the city attracts major companies such

as Buckley Air Force Base, the University of Colorado Health

Sciences Center and Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, Raytheon,

Northrop Grumman, ADT Security Services, Lockheed Martin,

Graebel Cos., Inc., and Kaiser Permanente. The Aurora Chamber of

Commerce and the Aurora Economic Development Council provide

support for attracting such businesses and getting them involved

in the community.

Education flourishes in Aurora, with five school districts and eight

campuses of higher learning meeting the instructional needs of

residents and those beyond the city limits.

For two years in a row, Aurora achieved national recognition from

America’s Promise Alliance as one of “100 Best Communities for

Young People” presented by ING for its initiatives to help young

people. The competition recognizes communities across the

country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and

providing service and support to their youth.

At 151 square miles, the city reaches into Arapahoe, Adams

and Douglas counties. Aurora’s strategic comprehensive plan

emphasizes the formation of livable, full-service neighborhoods.

Tree-lined streets, open prairie, majestic views of the mountains

and ample neighborhood parks make Aurora neighborhoods the

ideal place to call home. Over 450 neighborhoods complete the

fabric of the community.

Aurora’s climate is mild and dry, with more than 300 days of

sunshine a year, offering residents and visitors ample opportunity

to get outside, stay fit and enjoy all that Colorado living has to offer.

Source: 2004 - 2010 City of Aurora, Colorado

Presidential Qualifications The Community College of Aurora is seeking an innovative,

charismatic and inspirational leader capable of leading the college

to new levels of excellence. CCA seeks:

• An outgoing individual who possesses excellent interpersonal

skills and outstanding oral and written communication

skills; one who engages and creatively establishes regular

and ongoing, straightforward forms of communication with

faculty, staff and students regarding important issues;

• A leader who will embrace, actively participate in and be

involved with this dynamic, urban community, while carefully

balancing the internal and external needs and priorities of

the college;

• A candidate who will embrace and be committed to the

mission, vision and values of this community college, while

continuing to contribute to the expansion and growth of the

college by demonstrating vision and creativity;

• A leader who celebrates and has a commitment to all aspects

of diversity for students and staff;

• A person of the highest personal and professional integrity

who is honest, fair and collaborative;

• A successful record of cultivating external relationships

(friend raising), developing partnerships, soliciting donations,

garnering resources, and obtaining external financial support

(fundraising);

• An inclusive leader with an approachable, collaborative, open

style that involves others in the decision-making process

through shared governance, college-wide teamwork and

consensus building;

• A strong, experienced academic leader who, in collaboration

with and with guidance from the faculty, will work to focus on

the academic mission of the college by ensuring excellence

and relevance in the curriculum and who will work to develop

new programs and offerings to meet the needs of the

students and the workforce;

• A student-centered leader who can help grow enrollments

through creative marketing and retain students by ensuring

excellence in academics and building strong support services

and a dynamic campus life program;

• An individual with demonstrated knowledge of and

experience with innovative academic and administrative

technology including social and digital media and

distance learning;

• An experienced and highly capable financial manager

who will lead the college with transparency, fiscal discipline,

and accountability;

• A person who values and prioritizes professional development

for all employees, with proven experience in recruiting,

developing, retaining, and motivating staff;


• A person who understands the economic climate in the

communities served by the college and uses this knowledge

to help the college become a stimulus for economic

development by willingly and innovatively working with K-12

and business and industry to help grow the local economy

and college enrollment through partnerships;

• An innovative leader with the ability and confidence to

successfully manage the Community College of Aurora

under the supervision of the System President, who can work

collaboratively and constructively with the central system

office and the other colleges within the Colorado Community

College System.

Required QualificationsApplicants must have the educational credentials and executive

leadership experience necessary to earn the respect and trust of

the academic and business communities. A master’s degree is the

minimum qualification with advanced degrees highly preferred.

Significant prior executive leadership responsibility and experience

in an organization of similar size and complexity required.

Salary and BenefitsSalary and benefits package is competitive and commensurate

with education and experience.

Position Summary The College President is responsible for improving the quality

of life and the economic wellbeing of the Colorado citizens and

communities by providing access to a quality learning environment

and fostering student success.

College President reports to and is under the supervision of

the System President and is responsible for acting in accordance

with established policies, procedures and standards of CCCS, and

all applicable laws and regulations and executing all functions

and activities of the college, consistent with the Annual Plan for

the College.

The College President provides leadership to College staff in

order to achieve maximum performance and results. Establishes

strategies and specific measurable goals to increase enrollment,

attendance and persistence at the College by recent high school

graduates. Is involved with the local community to the extent

necessary to achieve the successful promotion of the image and

reputation of the College, and to ensure familiarity with local

community resources that may improve the services provided by

the College to its students.

The College President cooperates and interacts effectively with

the System President, CCCS staff and the Board and exercises

sound judgment in helping to develop and implement system-

wide initiatives. Consistently and positively complies with CCCS

standards, policies and procedures. Performs all other tasks as may

be assigned from time to time by the Board or the System President

or their respective designees to meet the needs of students, faculty

and staff and the current operational needs of the College as they

may change from time to time.

A complete job description can be found at

www.ccaurora.edu/presidential-search.

Position Summary

Application Procedures To ensure full consideration in CCA’s presidential search, applicants must submit the following information:

• A cover letter describing qualifications and experience as they relate to the specific requirements of this position;

• A current resume;

• A copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (Official transcripts will be required upon hire);

• The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of a minimum of five professional references;

• The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of all supervisors for whom you have worked

during the past 10 years.

Materials should be submitted electronically to: [email protected]

Or items that need to be sent in hard copy format may be mailed to:

Colorado Community College System

c/o Cynthia Hier, Executive Director, Human Resources

9101 East Lowry Boulevard

Denver, CO 80230-6011

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, it is anticipated an initial screening

of applications will begin on approximately February 16, 2012.

Confidential inquiries regarding the search may be made to Cynthia Hier by contacting her at 720-858-2791.

Community College of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,

gender, religion, sexual orientation or physical impairment. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

For information regarding Community College of Aurora Security, including crime statistics for the campus and related

property, please see the CCA website at www.ccaurora.edu/students/student-right-know. A paper copy of this report can

be obtained at the College Security Office upon request.

Pres ident ia l SearchCommunity College of Aurora