The Community College of Denver (CCD), through its Center for Workforce Initiatives (CWI), proudly hosted its inaugural Career Connection Innovator Award celebration, recognizing faculty and staff who are making a meaningful impact on student career success through career-connected learning.
The event, held in CCD’s Confluence Building, brought together more than 60 attendees, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, employer partners, and representatives from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).
Honoring Excellence in Career-Connected Learning
A total of 24 faculty and staff members were nominated by students for their commitment to supporting career pathways and preparing learners for real-world success.
Two outstanding individuals were selected as this year’s award recipients:
- Chuck Roy, Faculty Award Recipient
- Leah Porter, Staff Award Recipient
Both honorees were recognized for their dedication to connecting classroom learning with career outcomes and for making a lasting impact on student achievement.
A Student-Centered Celebration
In a powerful example of CCD’s commitment to experiential learning, the awards themselves were designed and created by student employees in the CCD Innovation Lab.
Students involved in the design process shared the vision behind their work during the celebration, gaining valuable portfolio experience and professional exposure they can carry forward into their careers. This hands-on contribution reflects CCD’s broader mission of embedding career-connected opportunities into the student experience.
A Growing Tradition of Impact
“We are proud to launch this tradition of recognizing the incredible work of our faculty and staff. Hearing directly from students about the impact these individuals have on their career journeys reinforces why career-connected learning is at the heart of what we do at CCD.” Allana Farley
Why Career-Connected Learning Matters
CCD continues to lead with a strong commitment to Career-Connected Learning (CCL)—an approach that ensures students are prepared for both immediate employment and long-term career growth.
Bridging Education and Workforce
Career-connected learning aligns academic programs with workforce needs by integrating real-world experiences into the curriculum.
Enhancing Student Engagement
Students are more engaged when they can clearly connect what they are learning to practical skills and future career goals.
Collaborative Ecosystem Benefits
Partnerships between educators, employers, and community organizations help cultivate talent while supporting regional economic growth.
Future-Ready Learning
CCD prepares students through equitable and engaging experiences that connect them to career pathways and transfer opportunities.
Learn More
To learn more about CCD’s Center for Workforce Initiatives and career-connected learning opportunities, visit:
https://www.ccd.edu/cwi
