The Community College of Denver (CCD) Foundation announced today that for the second year in a row, it has received grant funding from Xcel Energy Foundation to fund its “Student Success Initiative” (SSI).

The SSI program seeks to engage more CCD students in STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) programs and support them through the transfer process to 4-year institutions.

“CCD’s partner colleges tell us that the students who transfer from CCD come to their schools academically well prepared,” said Francie Anhut, Executive Director of the CCD Foundation. “However, some students do tell us that they have a hard time adjusting to larger schools like Colorado Mines (CSM) and the University of Colorado at Boulder.”

One of the main goals of the new initiative is to create partnerships with 4-year schools to better prepare students to acclimate to their new surroundings. By working with these schools, CCD plans to recruit other CCD alumni to act as peer-mentors to work with incoming students. CCD is also working with partnering schools to create programs for students during, and after the transfer process.

As the only postsecondary Hispanic Serving Institution in the Denver area, CCD educates students who are not well-represented in STEM careers. By introducing these students to STEM programs and career options, especially Hispanic and other minority students, CCD hopes to open career pathways for those who are not typically found in STEM programs.

The Community College of Denver Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on engaging individuals, foundations, and corporations in supporting CCD in its commitment to be the most welcoming, diverse, and excellent community college in the Metro-Denver area. Through scholarships to students, programmatic and faculty support, and capital enhancements, the Foundation invests in deserving CCD students—ensuring they have access to a high-quality, relevant education. Learn more at CCD-Foundation.org