A holder of a doctorate degree in zoology and advocate of education equality in higher education is now the new vice president of Front Range Community College’s campus in Longmont.
Aparna Palmer, who brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, will also oversee the Center for Integrated Manufacturing on the Longmont campus.
Palmer currently serves as the assistant vice president of academic affairs at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction and Western Colorado Community College.
FRCC President Andy Dorsey touted Palmer’s extensive experience in developing partnerships, implementing student success initiatives and nurturing an inclusive environment at CMU as good fits for Front Range.
“Her expertise in building relationships with local businesses will help us to develop new opportunities for our students,” Dorsey said in a news release. “Expanding our partnerships with industry and local school districts will help to strengthen the local and state economies.”
Access to higher education helped expand Palmer’s world immensely and she wants to afford those same opportunities for FRCC students, she said in the news release.
“My vision as an educator and leader is about increasing access to higher education for everyone who wants to work hard to earn a degree or credential,” Palmer said.
According to the news release, Palmer’s work has included:
Leading several student success initiatives and helping develop new academic programs.- Managing professional development for faculty
- Overseeing two TRIO programs that serve students who have limited incomes, are first-generation college students and/or have documented disabilities.
- Representing CMU/WCCC to the Colorado Department of Higher Education on academic matters
- Partnering with local workforce center and chamber of commerce to expand internships
- Overseeing the creation of CMU’s new office of Student Success and Engagement
- Chairing the university’s Open Education Resources Committee
Palmer — who holds a PhD in zoology from Washington State University — also taught biology at CMU, mentoring dozens of students through undergraduate research projects. She has served as president of the faculty senate and on CMU’s board of trustees, the news release states. She also worked as director of the university’s academic honors program.
Palmer has helped CMU and WCCC’s efforts to make the campus environment equitable and inclusive, the news release states.
“Diversity is one of the most important contributors to the richness of a learning environment,” Palmer said in the news release. “It enables students to be better prepared to function in an increasingly interactive and globally-connected world.”
