The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is proud to announce that Melanie Kruger has been appointed by Gov. Jared Polis to serve on the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE), a 12-member body that oversees CCCS. A resident of Thornton, Kruger will represent the newly created 8th Congressional District through December 2025 and serve as a liaison to Front Range Community College.

Kruger is the Senior Vice President of Talent at Red Canary, Inc., where she leads a team that oversees hiring, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With over two decades of experience in the tech startup space, Kruger is widely regarded as a go-to leader in talent and organization development. Read her biography here.

“I am excited to join the State Board because I truly believe there are many ways to achieve success,” said Kruger. “As an employer, I am passionate about finding people who bring unique skills and strengths to the workplace, whether they attended community college, an occupational school, or learned skills through life experiences. It’s my personal mission to expand opportunity and build connections among businesses and community colleges so we can develop talent together.”

The SBCCOE is charged with overseeing the mission and vision of Colorado’s 13 community colleges and system office, as well as the distribution of federal and state dollars that fund career and technical education in secondary and postsecondary schools. Appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Colorado Senate, board members serve staggered four-year terms.

“On behalf of my fellow members, I am thrilled to welcome Melanie Kruger to the SBCCOE,” said SBCCOE chair Rollie Heath. “Melanie brings a wealth of business and entrepreneurial experience that will help us deepen partnerships with industry and keep pace with workforce development trends. This expertise, coupled with her passion for nontraditional learners, make her an excellent addition to the Board.”

The ten members represent Colorado’s eight congressional districts, and two serve as at-large members. The board also dedicates two non-voting seats for a faculty member and student representative who serve one-year terms.

To learn more about the state board, visit the CCCS website at https://www.cccs.edu/about-cccs/state-board/.