Jordan Whittington, health and public safety program director with Colorado Career & Technical Education (CTE), has been selected for the 2023 cohort of the national Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Leadership Fellowship.   

As a fellow, Whittington will participate in networking and professional development opportunities that hone participants’ leadership and advocacy skills. Since 2019, the program has graduated more than 10 cohorts.  

“I am honored in being selected to take part in the 2023 ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program,” Whittington said. “Through partnerships with CTE leaders from across the country and interactions with policymakers, I look forward to furthering my knowledge base around CTE policy development and implementation. This will allow me to better support the Colorado CTE team in continuing its leadership position in education and workforce development.”  

CTE bridges education and workforce to provide students real-world learning opportunities in industries as diverse as aviation, nursing, and manufacturing. Whittington oversees Colorado’s health and public safety CTE programs, which include behavioral health, health sciences, and law enforcement services, among others.  

Jordan Whittington, health and public safety program director with Colorado Career & Technical Education (CTE)

“Colorado CTE is proud that Jordan Whittington was selected to take part in the program, where he will make partnerships with CTE leaders from across the country as well as key Congressional and committee staff to improve CTE pathways for all learners,” said Dr. Sarah Heath, director of Colorado CTE and Colorado Community College System (CCCS) associate vice chancellor. “Jordan will bring back innovative ideas for us to consider when crafting our next Perkins State Plan and CTE Strategic Plan that guides our work.”  

CCCS is the only community college system in the country that manages and approves federally funded CTE programs, serving about 208,000 Colorado students from middle school through college every year. Including its 13 colleges, CCCS partners with six other postsecondary institutions, more than 160 school districts, and the Colorado Department of Corrections to offer over 2,000 unique CTE programs in all corners of the state.  

CTE programs lead to lifelong career success. Among CTE completers, 98% enrolled in postsecondary education or training, enlisted in the military, or entered the workforce after a year. Nearly 80% of employed graduates work in their chosen CTE field. 

For more information on CTE in Colorado, visit the CCCS website.