Earlier this summer, I was honored to be appointed vice-chair of the Transition Advisory Committee (TAC), established by House Bill 26-1317 . The TAC’s work stems from a 2025 executive order and a subsequent report recommending ways to reimagine Colorado’s higher education and workforce systems to address our state’s talent gap. Our goal is to help create a more connected, outcomes-oriented system that leads to good jobs for Coloradans while meeting the talent needs of businesses. By November 30, the TAC must develop a transition plan with recommendations for a restructured state agency that streamlines higher education and workforce development efforts. I’m grateful to work alongside 26 other members representing state agencies, institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, organized labor, local workforce centers, nonprofit associations, and the business community. This breadth of perspective and expertise is essential to the work ahead. While we will address important tactical components, we recognize that large-scale systems change takes time. I want our plan and recommendations to provide a strong, supportive foundation that policymakers, educators, workforce development professionals, employers, and opportunity seekers can carry forward beyond 2026 as we continue building an outcomes-oriented system. The Governor’s Office and TAC members are also conducting extensive stakeholder engagement, and I hope you’ll be part of the conversation. You can: Complete the Postsecondary Talent System Feedback Survey Share how you’d like to stay engaged with the work of R eimagining Colorado's Postsecondary Talent Development System initiative Visit the TAC webpage for information on past and upcoming TAC meetings, sign up to provide public comment, and see a full list of all TAC members. You’re also welcome to reach out to me at michelle@attainmentnetwork.org , and I can connect you with available members and resources.

The Career-Connected L/Earning Conference features more than 60 interactive sessions designed to help education, workforce, industry and community leaders strengthen career-connected pathways across Colorado and beyond. From innovative partnership models and emerging policy to practical tools you can put to work immediately, each session offers real-world strategies, lessons learned and opportunities to connect with peers tackling similar challenges. Here's a preview of some of the newest sessions added to the agenda: From Evidence to Impact: What It Takes to Scale Programs Well Learn what separates promising programs from those that achieve lasting impact at scale and explore practical strategies for expanding what works. Featuring: Nathaniel Riggs , Professor, Human Development & Family Studies and Executive Director of the Prevention Research Center, Colorado State University; Tiffany Madrid , Organizational Performance Management Supervisor, CDHS Postsecondary Employment Outcomes: Critical Data for L/Earners and Those Invested in Their Success Discover how national employment and earnings data can help educators, workforce leaders and learners make more informed decisions about education, training and career pathways. Featuring: Gina Johnson , Director, and Christopher Peña , Data Literacy Partner & Intern Supervisor, Postsecondary Employment Outcomes Coalition ; Benazir Rowe ; Junior Developer/Analyst, Front Range Community College When Credentials Cause Harm: Unpacking the Risks of Verifiable Learning and Work Records As digital credentials and verifiable learning records become more common, what unintended consequences should we be preparing for? Explore the opportunities, risks, and ethical considerations surrounding the future of learner records. Featuring: Dr. Kelly Page , LWYL Studios From Data to Action: Building Community-Driven Career Pathways See how communities are using shared data to identify workforce needs, strengthen partnerships and design career pathways that reflect local priorities. Featuring: Kelly Mitchell , Founder/ Principal, and Chris Mitchell, Data and Operations Consultant, Inclusive Design Group What It Takes to Scale: Turning Cross-Sector Partnerships into Workforce Pathways Learn how communities are building and sustaining workforce pathways through strong cross-sector collaboration and shared leadership. Featuring: Stacey Putka , Executive Director, Breakthrough ; Shalyn Kettering , Legal Counsel to the Colorado Attorney General; Clay McCombe , Program Manager, Power Ahead Colorado (a program of DRCOG) Outreach to Employment, By Design: How Commerce City and the Community College of Aurora Aligned Public Dollars Behind One Workforce System Discover how local leaders aligned funding, partnerships and workforce services to create a more coordinated system connecting residents to employment. Featuring: Emily Sanders , Senior Director of Collaborative Action, Rocky Mountain Partnership Cradle to Career ; Clair Collins , Vice President of Enrollment Success and Completion, Community College of Aurora; Sarah Mondesire, Community Well-Being Manager, City of Commerce City Grow Your Own: Navigating the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Journey Hear firsthand from the partners and apprentices helping build Colorado's Teacher Degree Apprenticeship pathway and learn what's required to launch and sustain this innovative model. Featuring: MK Sagaria-Barritt CareerWise Colorado; Liz Qualman , Associate Dean of Education, Colorado Mountain College; Christina Randle: Educator Pathway Instructor, Harrison School District 2 Leveraging CTE Centers to Build CE Credential Pathways Explore how Career and Technical Education centers are expanding access to college credentials while creating stronger pathways into high-demand careers. Featuring: Shari Culver , Associate Dean, Arapahoe Community College; Dana Levesque , Coordinator of Postsecondary, Littleton Public Schools; Tara Bell , Director of Work-based Learning, Cherry Creek School District From Coursework to Workforce: Reimagining Teacher Preparation Through Career-Connected Learning See how industry experiences are helping prepare future educators to bring career-connected learning and workforce relevance into their classrooms. Featuring: Courtney Anderson , Education Department Chair, Community College of Aurora; Michelle Pacheco , Interim Vice President of Academic Success Community College of Aurora From Paycheck to Pathway: A Hands-On Workshop for Mapping On-the-Job Skills to Academic Credit Learn practical strategies for translating workplace learning into academic credit and creating more seamless pathways between employment and education. Featuring: Kim Eckert, Head of Instructional Innovation & Apprenticeship Design, Craft Education The Continuity Challenge: Tracing Durable Skills from PreK to Onboarding Explore how durable skills develop from early learning through workforce entry and identify practical strategies to strengthen career readiness across every stage of the learner journey. Featuring: Tim Taylor , Co-Founder and President, America Succeeds