Welcome from the President
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Red Rocks Community College where we are proud to support the educational dreams of our students. Red Rocks enhances our community by providing a superior education full of possibilities that enriches lives and builds careers.
Red Rocks Community College provides a welcoming college environment. We have top faculty who bring real-world, professional experience along with passion for teaching and mentoring students. We have excellent administration and staff that are devoted to student success.
Here are a few more things you should know about our college:
- We offer an inclusive environment where all students are welcome. Military Times ranks RRCC #16 for 2-year schools in the nation as Best for Vets. RRCC was ranked #4 by Campus Pride as Best of the Best for LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges & Universities.
- Known for its rigorous academics, Red Rocks transfers more students to Colorado School of Mines than any other college in the nation. We also have a new Mines Academy program at Red Rocks, which is a unique opportunity for students to earn guaranteed admissions to Colorado School of Mines. This joint program provides a seamless transfer experience and an affordable pathway to any of the undergraduate engineering and science degrees at Mines. RRCC also provides an integrated pathway to nursing degree at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
- Our Dr. John U. Trefny Honors Program develops future leaders in STEM fields by providing opportunities for advanced research projects, internships, service learning, and travel.
- RRCC is the first community college in the nation to offer a master’s degree. Our Master of Physician Assistant Studies prepares students to enter one of the most sought-after careers in the U.S. We celebrated our first graduating master’s degree class in 2019. RRCC was also the first community college in our system to offer a bachelor’s degree. We now offer two: one in Water Quality Management Technology and one in Secure Code Software Development. In addition, our Cyber Security apprenticeship program has received national recognition.
- The RRCC Foundation has provided over $7 million in scholarships to nearly 3,800 students to date.
- Our Phi Theta Kappa honor society repeatedly receives international awards, including Top 10 Chapter among 1,300 around the world.
- Thanks to a $22.5 million expansion, our Arvada campus provides cutting-edge health career training as well as general education instruction in a new state-of-the-art learning environment.
- Red Rocks supports student wellness through the availability of a 35,000 square foot student recreation center.
- RRCC believes in connecting student learning to the real-world. Innovation and Engagement creates opportunities through the IDEA Lab, Community Engaged Learning, Entrepreneurship and STEM. Students connect learning to future employment through Career Success and Internships. We also offer opportunities for students to conduct high level research, to travel abroad, and to serve in student leadership roles.
- RRCC graduates are number one in first year earnings among all 13 community colleges in the state of Colorado.
Welcome to our community. We are here to help you succeed!
Dr. Michele Haney
President, Red Rocks Community College
Dr. Haney joined RRCC in 2008, bringing with her nearly 30 years of community college leadership. During her tenure, she has worked to improve technology to expand teaching and learning opportunities, helped streamline the transition of high school students into concurrent enrollment programs, and initiated plans to expand grant funding and workforce development. While at RRCC, Dr. Haney’s leadership has increased student retention, graduation, and minority enrollment.