CCCS Internal 
Every spring, thousands of students across the Colorado Community College System celebrate a significant milestone: graduation. While nearly 10,000 students will cross the stage at the system’s 13 colleges, behind each cap and gown is a unique story of perseverance, determination and growth. This year, we’re honored to highlight three exceptional graduates whose journeys exemplify the transformative power of community college education.
A 29-Year Dream Fulfilled: Danica Busby, Pueblo Community College
For Danica Busby, graduation from Pueblo Community College’s Southwest Campus represents the culmination of a nearly three-decade journey. First enrolling in a community college nursing program in 1996, her path was anything but linear.
“This is a 29-year dream that I’m finishing,” Busby said with unmistakable pride.
Life’s challenges—raising children as a single mother, navigating two divorces, and working full time—repeatedly interrupted her educational journey. She attempted to complete her degree multiple times over the years, but circumstances continually intervened.
A turning point came in 2017, when she was diagnosed with adult ADHD. With proper treatment, she found renewed focus and determination. In 2018, she began exploring various health care fields before ultimately returning to her original passion: nursing.
What made the difference this time? The supportive environment at Pueblo Community College.
“The love and care and support that I got from Pueblo Community College, from people like Lisa Molina, director of student services, was incredible,” she said. “It wasn’t like, ‘Well, maybe this isn’t for you.’ It was, ‘No, we’re going to do whatever we can to support you and you’re not quitting.’”
Even when facing significant challenges—including a 29-day battle with COVID-19 and workplace difficulties—the college community rallied around her. Faculty members like biology instructor Craig Feigenbaum provided the understanding and accommodations she needed to succeed.
Busby is graduating with her Associate Degree in Nursing with summa cum laude honors and as a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She’s already continuing her education through Pueblo’s ADN-to-BSN bridge program. Her success has inspired others in her family, with her daughter-in-law and niece both pursuing nursing programs at the college.
Her advice to prospective students is straightforward: “Just do it. Try it. When you take that step and register for those classes, you are going to be so empowered. Even though times can be tough, the reward is extraordinary.”
Just do it. Try it. When you take that step and register for those classes, you are going to be so empowered. Even though times can be tough, the reward is extraordinary.
Finding Her Path: Teddy McCormack, Red Rocks Community College
When Teddy McCormack enrolled at Red Rocks Community College in 2020, she faced the double challenge of starting college during the COVID-19 pandemic and being a first-generation college student.
“I started at Red Rocks in 2020 during COVID. So I did do a lot of offline classes,” McCormack said. The isolation of remote learning made it difficult for her to connect with the campus community.
Without family guidance on navigating higher education, she initially struggled to find her academic direction.
“I didn’t really follow the typical path in college. I’ve taken four years to complete my two-year degree because I didn’t really know what I was interested in,” she said.
Everything changed when she discovered her passion for biology.
“I had to take those Bio I and II classes. Thinking back to how much I enjoyed them, I remember saying, ‘Whoa, this is awesome.’ I started taking more of them and then I decided that’s what I wanted to graduate with.”
As in-person classes resumed, McCormack found vital support through campus resources like the TRiO program and the STEM Leadership Academy. These programs provided academic help and helped her build a community of peers and mentors who understood the challenges facing first-generation students.
“The instructors here are very aware that not everyone is familiar with the terms and things that are common knowledge when it comes to college,” she said. “The whole school has really been sensitive to that.”
She is graduating with an Associate of Science degree in biology and will transfer to Colorado State University in Fort Collins this fall to study ecosystem science and sustainability. Thanks to her diligent pursuit of scholarships and the affordable tuition at Red Rocks, she’ll graduate debt-free—a significant advantage as she continues her education.
While sad to leave the tight-knit community at Red Rocks, McCormack is excited about her future at CSU. Her advice to incoming students: “I’m biased, but I really do think they should go to community college. It’s just way more affordable, a tighter-knit community, with better resources.”
A Third Act: From the Military to Construction to Law for Ron Bogan, Community College of Aurora
At 60 years old, Ron Bogan, a graduate of the Community College of Aurora (CCA), represents the transformative potential of community colleges for career-changers and older students.
After serving in the Army following high school, he built a successful career in construction framing houses. But after multiple shoulder surgeries and a knee surgery, he realized the physically demanding profession wasn’t sustainable.
“I’m 60 years old. If things go well, maybe I’ll live another 20 to 30 years. What am I going to do when I get old, particularly if I become disabled?” he said.
With an interest in criminal law, he saw a path forward.
“If I become a criminal defense attorney, that’s something I could do well into my old age. Even if I end up in a wheelchair, as long as my mind stays strong.”
Despite never having used a computer before starting college, Bogan persevered through the technological learning curve. He channeled his determination into his studies, earning a 4.0 GPA every semester, making the President’s List, and joining the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
His favorite courses aligned with his career goals: legal research and writing, constitutional law, introduction to law, evidence, civil law, and contracts. He also valued his English composition classes, knowing that “you’ve got to be a good writer to be a lawyer.”
The CCA TRIO program provided valuable support, along with transfer visits to four-year institutions. These experiences helped him chart his path forward.
Now graduating with both his associate degree and a paralegal certificate, Bogan has transferred to the University of Colorado Denver to pursue a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. After that, he plans to apply to law school at the University of Colorado Boulder or the University of Denver.
His advice to other nontraditional students considering community college: “Make sure you have a plan before you start. And don’t be afraid to follow your plan.”
Make sure you have a plan before you start. And don’t be afraid to follow your plan.
The Community College Difference
These three remarkable students—spanning different ages, backgrounds and career goals—share a common experience: they found their path forward through Colorado’s community colleges.
Their stories highlight the unique strengths of the system: affordability that enables students to graduate debt-free, supportive faculty who understand diverse student needs, robust programs like TRIO, and clear pathways to careers and further education.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a working adult seeking a career change, or someone returning to complete a long-deferred dream, Colorado’s community colleges offer the flexibility, support and quality education to help you succeed.
As we celebrate this year’s graduates, we invite you to consider how a community college education might transform your own story. Your journey—however long, however winding—can find its path forward here.
