Dear Friends and Colleagues,  

Every November, it’s important we take a few moments to honor the thousands of veterans and military-affiliated Coloradans who contribute to our classrooms, our communities, and our state. About 4% of instructors, faculty, and staff across the Colorado Community College System have served in some capacity, and nearly 10,000 of our students are connected to the military. It is a profound honor to employ and teach those who have done so much for our country, and I want to thank you directly for your service.   

It is a profound honor to employ and teach those who have done so much for our country, and I want to thank you directly for your service.   

Chancellor Garcia, left, serving as a Navy reservist, poses with his mother and father.

For me, Veterans Day is quite personal. My father served over 25 years in the US Army and inspired my three brothers and me to follow in his footsteps. I’ll always be grateful for my family’s service and the opportunities it afforded us—a sentiment I’m sure many of you share.  

Chancellor Garcia’s father served over 25 years in the U.S. Army.

Community college is the gateway to social and economic mobility for individuals, especially veterans, looking to start a new career or retool their skills for a different industry. I am proud to be part of a system whose colleges are consistently ranked among the best for veterans, and one that is committed to meeting their needs. No matter your role, you help us fulfill this important mission and foster their continued success.

This Veterans Day, I encourage you to reach out to say “thank you” to a co-worker, relative, friend, or student who has served, and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While we can never match their level of commitment and dedication, we can pledge to provide the very best education and training to support our military community. Let’s continue our good work giving back to those who have given so much to ensure the quality of life we benefit from today. 

Sincerely,  

Joe Garcia, CCCS Chancellor