InterCom Online

Community College of Aurora Internal Communications Special Edition

Published by CCA Communication Division • 303-360-4769           

Special Edition Honoring Two Women at CCA

            In this edition of Intercom we would like to honor two women dedicated to CCA, who have been recognized in the community this last March: President Linda S. Bowman and Director of Pre Enrollment Services Anna Jansen. 

Aurora Women Sculptors of our Community Award
The Aurora Business and Professional Women selected Dr. Linda Bowman for the Aurora Women Sculptors of our Community Award for 2007 recognizing her accomplishments as president of CCA and as an Aurora community leader. The City of Aurora, through the Aurora History Museum, honored Aurora women for their significant contributions to Aurora, and for helping shape Aurora into the community it is today. Eight women were selected by various women organizations throughout Aurora. The story of each woman’s life and accomplishments were on display in the lobby of the Municipal Building. The “Aurora Women, Sculptors of Our Community” event took place on Saturday, March 17th, at the Aurora Municipal Center.

Dr. Linda Bowman joined the Community College System in 1992, when she went to work for Red Rocks Community College. In 1999, she became the Interim President of Lamar Community College. And in 2000, she was appointed president of the Community College of Aurora, a position she now holds.

In fact, Linda is the longest serving president of a public college or university in the state. In 2005, she added responsibilities as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for the Colorado Community College System. Linda loves the community college mission of access and opportunity. And she is dedicated to the success of students; she was once described as their greatest fan. The role of president is one she relishes, both for her work at the college and for the opportunity both she and Roger have to participate in this wonderful community.

Through Linda’s leadership during her six-year tenure, the Community College of Aurora has made some remarkable strides:

• CCA was recognized as top community college by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education in 2001
• Enrollment has grown 20%
• CCA’s diversity in the student body has increased
• The growth of online courses, hybrid courses, technology in the classroom, and weekend college has exceeded expectation with  flexible course offerings to meet students’ busy schedules
• CCA’s Lowry Campus was developed from a site in which classes were offered to full-service campus with premiere programs that are recognized nationally, such as EMS simulation center and the Colorado Film School
• CCA Foundation has experience and exponential growth and development. The Foundation just completed its major gifts campaign, Advancing Our Community Together, in which a record $2.5M was raised
• CCA established the Aurora Language Center for teaching of English as a Second Language
• CCA has the highest graduation rate of the urban community colleges in Colorado
• And most recently the establishment of the Bowman Family Award for Faculty Excellence.

Linda is an integral member of the community. Her board memberships include:

• Aurora Chamber of Commerce (currently Chair of Board formerly chair of Education and Government Affair committees)
• Aurora Economic Development Council
• Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Board
• Lowry Redevelopment Authority
• WELLS Center for Nursing Simulation
• Adams County Education Consortium
• Metro Denver Workforce Investment Board
• Covering elections night for Aurora KCA-TV Channel 8

Other community groups and activities in which Linda participates:

• Aurora Rotary Club (sold beer and brats at Invesco Field at Mile High; hosts annual social “Chili Bunko” for club members and guests, and Salvation Army bell-ringing)
• E-470 Strategic Education Plan steering committee chair
• Aurora Public Schools Superintendent’s Vista 2010 Council
• Congressman Beauprez’s Education Council
• Regional public safety training center development council
• Buckley Air Force Base 460th Space Wing Co-Commander

Linda’s most recent recognitions include:

• Phi Theta Kappa International Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for college presidents—Nominated by CCA’s honor students
• Mile High United Way Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction
• Woman of the Year for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce
• Not to mention, the Aurora Sentinel’s Best Dressed Woman of the Year

As a well-respected representative of both higher education and a leader in the community, Linda accepted numerous speaking engagements:

• Aurora Chapter of Business and Professional Women annual dinner
• American Association of Community Colleges annual meeting
• The Chamber’s Leadership Aurora program
• Legislative Breakfast on Women’s Issues
• Aurora Branch of American Association of University Women
• Comitis Annual Dinner
• ARC of Aurora events
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Quotes from colleagues:

“During Linda’s tenure at CCA, we have experienced some phenomenal changes. Our faculty and staff satisfaction surveys for college leadership have jumped 50% since her start. She has created a new culture of working together and serving students. Because of Linda, CCA is one of the greatest places to work in Colorado,” Greg Goode, CCA Vice President of Student Services.

“What’s really meant the most to me is that the culture of CCA has changed to one of inclusiveness and a sense of “family”.  This is directly attributable to Linda’s personality and leadership.  Also, even in the face of fiscal duress over the past number of years, Linda has brought a new energy and enthusiasm to our college.  When I retire in April it will be from a career and not just a ‘job’,” Les Moroye, CCA Associate Vice President of Lowry Campus.

“When I interviewed for my job as Dean, once one person on the search committee mentioned how wonderful it was to work with Linda Bowman, all the others on the committee chimed in with such enthusiastic agreement.  This is an awesome place to work and Linda has much to do with that.  She keeps the focus always on our students and how we can best meet their needs, and she truly cares about the quality of the work environment for everyone who works here,” Bernice Harris, Vice President of Instruction.

“Linda Bowman is visionary. She has taken a small urban community college and projected it into the forefront of business and industry. She recognizes the needs of the community and has built a community college that responds to that challenge. Never mistake her focus, it far outreaches what most of us are capable of; she keeps her eye on the future, her feet in the present and demands the best of all of us only after she has demonstrated it first by her own commitment and participation. She is there with her sleeves rolled up to clean dirty bathrooms to house hurricane Katrina survivors with as much dedication and enthusiasm as when she is dressed in a suit, sitting in a U.S. Department of Education roundtable with legislators and national leaders in education and business. She keeps her eye on the target of improving higher education for CCA, Colorado and the United States,” Liz VanLandingham, Communications Director.
 

Women in Business Unsung Hero Award
CCA Director of Pre Enrollment Services Anna Jansen was nominated for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Women in Business “Women Making a Difference: Unsung Heroes Award.” The Women in Business Committee serves as a voice for all women in business, acting as an advocate on issues that affect their professional growth and long-term economic vitality.

Anna Jansen is the Director of Recruiting at Community College of Aurora.  In this role her primary responsibilities are to recruit new students to CCA.  What sets Anna apart is her extraordinary effort in performing tasks other than her normal job duties.  She unselfishly shares her time and expertise with students from the minute they walk through the door. Her outreach into the area’s high schools has strengthened the relationship between the high schools and the community college.

Anna has the ability to establish an excellent rapport with students, alumni, faculty and staff and she is genuinely interested in helping others and giving back to her community.  She is dedicated to student success from the classroom to graduation and beyond.

Anna spends countless hours in the community each week promoting not only CCA, but the importance of education.  We are fortunate that her ability to connect with people brings them to CCA where they can become the future leaders of our community. Anna has coordinated CCA information booths at numerous community and college fairs throughout the year and the Denver Metro raising awareness for the opportunities CCA and community colleges offer.

Anna has played an integral part for CCA in the GEAR UP program, which assists low-income students who struggle academically and places college-level English and math professors, many from CCA, were also explored. She has been instrumental in providing Camps for Martin Luther King college prep students to be introduced to college programs such as Math, Computer, EMS, Creative Writing, and Science.

Anna was a founding member of the Aurora Post Secondary Council’s (APSC) The Council, which is made up of private non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, the Aurora Public Schools (APS), city and state officials, local businesses and chambers of commerce, was created to harness the energy and ideas of the Aurora community for addressing obstacles that hinder the efforts of some high school students to attend college after graduation.

In addition to working with high schools and organizations in Aurora and the Eastern Metro area each year Anna organizes an open house for the community so they can see first hand the educational opportunities offered at CCA.

The 2007 award nominees were honored at the annual breakfast sponsored by the Aurora Credit Union Alliance on March 16 at the Radisson Hotel Southeast.

CCA’s Public Television Station

Channel 54 CCA’s public television station, aired its debut of CCA Monthly News featuring CCA events. The March show featured these CCA events: The Piton Foundation Tax Preparation, Geoff Hunt and the Trial of Abe Lincoln, and Gill the Drummerman, from the Black Hands Drum Ensemble. Channel 54 regularly features a variety of infomercials on CCA’s premier programs and announcements of CCA events. In addition, the station aired its first broadcast of: Federal programming Education News’ “Transforming Higher Education: Access and Affordability for All Students” on Tuesday, March 20.  

Future of Higher Education Forum at University of Denver

On March 2, Dr. Linda Bowman attended the Future of Higher Education forum to discuss the contents of the report issued by the National Commission on the Future of Higher Education, 2006.  The forum was a working session of stakeholders from colleges and universities, legislative education committees in the House and Senate, and policy and agency staff representing higher education in Colorado. 

Community College Day at the Capitol

Phi Theta Kappa Vice President Lauren Johnson, member of the 2007 Phi Theta Kappa All-Colorado Academic Team, attended the Community College Day at the Capitol with CCA President Linda Bowman, March 19. Lauren has been involved in a number of charitable projects PTK does for the community such as food and coat drives, literacy campaigns, and helping with the clean up of the Highline Canal. Lauren also likes to share her experience with other CCA students talking about the benefits of joining PTK.   

 

The Great Canal Clean Up

The Great High Line Canal Clean Up Caper in Aurora took place March 17. Volunteers registered at CCA and began to clear trash from the 11-mile stretch of canal that runs through Aurora. CCA staff, faculty and community members took part in the program.

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