Fiona Lytle, Chief Communications Officer and Legislative Liaison for the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), received the prestigious Communicator of the Year award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) for her outstanding work advancing the community college mission.  

NCMPR honored Lytle at their annual conference last weekend that brought together hundreds of communications and marketing professionals from community and technical colleges across the country. Lytle was nominated by the CCCS Public and Legislative Affairs team and received letters of support from CCCS Chancellor Joe Garcia and all presidents of CCCS’s 13 community colleges. 

“Over my five years as Chancellor, I have watched Fiona transform our marketing and communications efforts to benefit both our system and our colleges,” said Chancellor Garcia. “Thanks to her strong vision and project management skills, she has successfully elevated our reputation among government, business, and industry leaders. We constantly lean on Fiona to make sure we are talking to the right people at the right time with the right message. She never misses an opportunity to connect with a potential supporter and often converts them into a CCCS champion.” 

Fiona Lytle, Chief Communications Officer speaks at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations conference in Orlando Florida in March.

Bringing more than 15 years of experience to CCCS, Lytle oversees public and media relations, marketing, and the digital and online presence of the System Office. She also manages the System’s legislative initiatives, strategies, and relations with members of the Colorado General Assembly and the United States Congress. Under her direction, CCCS has received tens of millions in recovery dollars from the Colorado legislature and won critical operating fund increases for the System’s 13 colleges. 

In their letter of support, CCCS presidents commended Lytle’s keen strategic vision, broad public relations and marketing knowledge, and deft interpersonal communications skills.  

“Fiona is charged with the difficult task to speak collectively for our 13 colleges while acknowledging their diverse populations, communities, and specialties. She has excelled in this role, giving our colleges the freedom to develop their own voice and identity that fits within CCCS’ broader brand and mission,” the president said. “As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. Fiona’s work to elevate the CCCS brand has only reinforced our colleges’ reputations as engines of opportunity for Coloradans and their communities—and as the premier education and workforce partner for our state.”  

At the conference, CCCS’ Public and Legislative Affairs team also won an award for their statewide campaign promoting Concurrent Enrollment, which allows students to take college-level courses in high school.

“We are the folks shining a light on the incredible work being done to transform the lives of students, families, and communities every day,” Lytle said. “Your creativity, cleverness, and passion for storytelling make a difference in our mission to provide educational opportunities for all.”