Monday, April 1, 2024 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak State College is hosting a forum sponsored by one of its community partners, Peak Education, to discuss the current state of higher education and workforce needs. This event will take place on Thursday, April 11, from 7:30 to 10:30 am, in the Atrium at the Centennial Campus (5675 South Academy Boulevard). We invite the media to join us.
This event comprises of two sessions. Discussions will span the current landscape of higher education, the potential for local businesses and organizations to address gaps, and the importance of the regional pipeline of students to higher education and ultimately, the Colorado Springs workforce.
During the first session, participants will have the opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of panelists, including experts like Tatiana Bailey, the Executive Director of Data Driven Strategies; and Roberto Garcia, Vice President of Student Services at PPSC, among others. The second session will highlight the Innovate COS initiative, a collaborative endeavor aimed at revolutionizing educational and business partnerships in Colorado Springs. Participants will engage in an interactive session with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC; Jonathan A. Liebert, CEO/Executive Director of Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado; and Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent of D2 Harrison School District. Additionally, local young leaders will deliver empowering testimonials about their own experiences accessing higher education and the workforce.
Peak Education is extending an invitation to anyone interested in shaping the educational and economic future of our region. For more details and to RSVP to this event, please visit peakedu.org/postsecondaryaccess.
About Peak Education: Serving the community for 25 years, Peak Education disrupts the status quo by closing opportunity gaps in our community. Every student deserves to reach for their full potential and that all willing learners can do so. We do this by working to enact change at multiple levels beyond the individual students that participate directly in our program. Our work impacts families, schools, and our city to further access to education, social and economic inclusion.
About Pikes Peak State College: Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and some bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 18,00 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.