The search for Front Range Community College’s new president is down to three candidates, according to Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia.
In a written statement, Garcia said the three finalist for the job are Dr. Colleen Simpson, Dr. Stephen Cain and Dr. Tricia Johnson. Johnson currently works for Front Range as Vice President of the Westminster Campus and Brighton Center.
FRCC President Andy Dorsey will step down on June 30, 2022 as part of his planned retirement, concluding a 29-year career with the college and 13 years as president. A decision on his replacement is expected before May 10.
A search advisory committee of college and community representatives has conducted a thorough screening and preliminary interviews with applicants in order to identify those best suited to lead FRCC with long-term success. The finalists have been meeting with the Front Range community through April in virtual public forums.
Colleen Simpson is Vice President of Student Services and Regional Learning Centers at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which includes three campuses and five Regional Learning Centers. Before coming to Northeast Wisconsin, Simpson served as the administrator overseeing Retention and Student Success at Bronx Community College.
Simpson’s career in education spans three decades and is centered on leading teams to develop a shared vision to support student success and academic excellence. In her biography, she wrote that through her equity and student-centered lens, she believes all students will succeed.
Dr. Stephen Cain is the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at Montgomery College in Maryland. Montgomery College is the largest community college Maryland with three campuses, two off-campus workforce development centers, and two community engagement centers.
Cain’s responsibilities have also included institutional research, planning, policy, participatory governance, the college ombuds, and presidential publications. He is currently leading the college’s effort to open an education center and potentially a fourth campus in Montgomery County.
Johnson, the Vice President of the Westminster Campus and Brighton Center at Front Range Community College, serves as the campus executive officer, overseeing campus operations and representing the campus throughout the north Denver metro area, including Adams, Broomfield, and northern Jefferson counties.
Over the last two decades, Johnson has worked in education teaching, promoting, designing, and administering programs in secondary, postsecondary, and career and technical education. During her tenure, Johnson has served as a classroom teacher, community college department chair, research analyst, and marketing manager. She is committed to issues of social justice and removing barriers for adult learners.
Complete biographies for each finalist are on FRCC’s website https://www.frontrange.edu/presidentialsearch.