Geography no barrier as rural colleges in Colorado expand online offerings By Jason Gonzales Chalkbeat Colorado
Through a new initiative, students in rural areas will be able to attend classes from colleges not near them.
The state is spending $8.6 million on a new initiative that will let Colorado’s seven rural community colleges share programs and services so students — no matter where they live — get a wider set of educational opportunities. For example, a student at Lamar Community College in eastern Colorado could soon be able to take cybersecurity classes at Northwestern Community College’s Craig campus on the other side of the state. That student might also get tutoring from staff at Trinidad State College near the New Mexico border — about 140 miles away from Lamar.
The idea, thought up by the seven colleges, will help rural colleges better serve students and could bring in more money for those schools. “It is expensive to run any college,” said Linda Lujan, Lamar Community College president. “But smaller colleges don’t have the economy of scale that larger colleges do.” The initiative started as part of the state’s Rural College Consortium. The collaborative was formed just before the pandemic by leaders from the community college system and Colorado’s seven rural community colleges. The consortium aims to address the toughest challenges facing their schools, including lack SEE RURAL COLLEGES • PAGE 19
Celebrating a 67 year legacy of making a mark in the world that reveals the heart of Jesus Christ
We are a thriving, welcoming community of families and students focused on rigorous academics and Catholic faith formation in the Catholic Classical tradition.
Colorado Military Academy focuses on STEM and Civil Air Patrol. We are a tuition free public charter school grades K-12 and also have a tuition based PreK program. We had our 1st ever graduating class on May 14, with a total of 16 graduates! Of the 16, 11 cadets enlisted in one form of military branch or the other, with the others attending either a university or trade school.
Winner: Best of the Springs Early Childhood Program 2022
Enrolling Year-Round Preschool – 8th Grade Financial assistance available
Challenging students through faith, academics, & service
Schedule a tour TODAY! Call 719-471-7711 school.divineredeemer.net
18
|
BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE
|
Sunday, July 31, 2022
