College Programs in Colorado Springs Offer Lots of Choices
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When Fran Gallahar decided to leave a six-figure job in business to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a nurse‚ she was surprised by the number of colleges and universities she had to choose from in Colorado Springs.
“ This was a huge career change for me. I have two children and had been out of school since 1991‚ so I went around town and researched all of my options until I found one that best fit my needs as a working mom‚” says Gallahar‚ who will graduate from Pikes Peak Community College’s nursing program in May.
According to Tom Hutton‚ head of university relations for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs‚ many of the area’s colleges and universities not only serve traditional post-high school students‚ they also cater to nontraditional students like Gallahar who are seeking new skills and career opportunities.
CU-Colorado Springs‚ a four-year state university with an enrollment of 7‚500 students‚ is the fastest-growing college in the state‚ Hutton says.
“ We have classes that run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. that accommodate a variety of schedules and situations for students in undergraduate and graduate programs‚” Hutton says. “For virtually anything you want to study or for any career you pursue‚ there’s a program for it in Colorado Springs.”
Thanks to the nearly 20 higher-education institutions located in the area‚ the region’s workforce is consistently ranked by national organizations as one of the most highly educated in the nation.
“ We work closely with local employers to make sure we’re providing students with the right skill sets to be successful in their careers‚” says Joseph A. Garcia‚ president of Pikes Peak Community College‚ a two-year university with three locations in Colorado Springs. “The majority of our students remain in the area after graduation and contribute to the local economy.”
Colorado College‚ a private four-year university‚ draws more than 1‚900 undergraduates from Colorado and across the globe. The school has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top 28 colleges in liberal arts and sciences.
“ Students come to Colorado College for our strong academics and first-class faculty‚” says Dick Celeste‚ president of the college. Celeste also cites the area’s quality of life and its natural beauty as other factors that draw students to Colorado Springs.
But for students like Sarah Studer‚ a mother of five studying journalism at Pikes Peak Community College‚ there’s still another draw. It’s her own desire to succeed and fulfill lifelong dreams.
“ It’s exciting to see people at 40‚ 50 and 60 years old finally getting the opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed of – going to college‚” says Studer‚ who attends classes alongside students of all ages and who‚ at age 34‚ serves as student-body president.
Story by Valerie Shead
Photo by Theresa Montgomery
